Board passes new housing laws
Committee reports of note:
Climate Smart / Action Task Force Committee Chair Eaton announced the Repair Cafe in Austerlitz on 3/29/25 (see this newsletter for more information), and said several CS/ATFC members will be offering hand built compost bins (hemlock) at that event.
Eaton also recommended the NYSERDA EmPowerNY program that helps low- and moderate-income households save energy and money toward energy improvements made to their primary residence.
Communications Chair Wapner said the committee is working on several projects, including guidelines for communications to replace the newsletter that has been discontinued; and a “Welcome Packet” with information on the town and town government for new town residents.
ZUC Chair Eaton spoke for the Housing Committee and Zoning Update Committee that continue to meet jointly. They have started working on a proposal for planned residential unit development.
Parks & Recreation Chair Wapner reported on a recent focus group with parents of young children who suggested ideas for Crellin Park that would address some potential safety concerns and better meet their needs. He said many of the ideas were novel, and could draw wider community participation.
Wapner said the committee is recommending a moratorium on any major new projects at the park pending consultation with a professional planner and completion of the Park Plan; they would like to obtain professional advice on planning additional facilities and projects, anticipate potential costs, and help to prioritize park projects. Wapner also reported that the Chatham Area Recreation Project (CARP) has decided to transition to less involvement in Crellin Park Day this year. They have agreed to raise money for this annual event (CARP has typically fundraised and contributed $3500.00), but will likely pull back on the number of volunteers they will provide for the event this year, and will likely not be contributing a significant financial donation in coming years.
The Finance and Economic Development Committee has begun surveying a wide range of local businesses, non-profits, the Chamber of Commerce, CABA, and other business interests to develop a database for future planning and development in the town.
Solar Law Committee Chair Eaton said the committee is changing the proposed law to accommodate some of the feedback they have received following a public presentation of their draft law several months ago.
Invasive Species Awareness Committee Chair Abi Mesick presented a tree planting project at Crellin Park that will take advantage of a generous donation of a variety of trees from the Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District. She said tree planting is in the planning stage and is scheduled for late April; the planting will necessitate “lots of volunteers”.
Supervisor Collins, speaking for the Traffic Safety Group, said the Village of Chatham has requested a speed reduction on Rte. 295 as it exits the village, due to relatively dense settlement there. Collins presented a resolution to this effect later in the meeting. He also reported that he expects to have data for the board from contracted speed patrols in early April.
By resolution, the board:
Approved contracts for the use of Crellin Park facilities between the Town of Chatham and the Chatham Lady Reds Youth Softball Program, the Crane Soccer Club, and the Chatham Over-30 Soccer League.
Approved the 2025 Community Picnic to be held Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 11 am to 4 pm at Crellin Park and to grant a request for expenses in the amount of $2000.00 for the event. This vote was 4 to one, with board member Wapner supporting the picnic, but voting no because he objected to “the process”. He noted that the resolution for the picnic came before any board discussion of the event, which is protocol prior to the introduction of a resolution.
Accepted bids as outlined in a detailed chart included in the agenda for highway materials and maintenance labor for the fiscal year April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. The outline included bids from a number of sources based on availability, location of material, location of potential job sites and / or price of the various materials.
Agreed to work with the County Superintendent of Highways to request that the NYS Department of Transportation establish an area speed restriction of 40 miles per hour on NYS Route 295 from the Village boundary through milepost 1017. This area speed limit would limit higher speeds in an area where there are driveways to several residences, and an entry and exit into a mobile home park.
Approved a resolution to go to the Columbia County Board of Supervisors and the NYS Congressional Delegation noting that federal funding is critical to a number of programs for county and state residents. Such funding is currently at risk due to proposed changes at the level of the federal government to Medicaid, Medicare, and a variety of other incentives and safety net programs.
The resolution asks members of those offices to “oppose any other funding reductions that would harm Columbia County residents such as reduction in SNAP, meals on wheels, food banks, school purchases of local food, small business loans, transportation and transportation infrastructure, Rural Energy for America (REAP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and other support for farmers…(and)...to oppose any reduction in funding to Medicaid or change in Medicaid requirements that would reduce services, restrict eligibility, or shift costs to local governments.”
The resolution noted the federal government provides essential funding to these services, and further that 31.7% of Columbia County residents and 41.6% of children in the County get healthcare through Medicaid, and that 63% of patient service revenue at the Columbia Memorial Hospital (the county’s only hospital and largest employer) comes from Medicare and Medicaid. Any decrease in Medicaid eligibility would hinder the hospital’s ability to effectively serve our local community and jeopardize the number and salary of local healthcare professionals.
Approved a retiree health insurance benefit amendment that included reimbursement of the annual deductible for any retired full time employee or elected official with more than 25 years of service at or above the age of 65.
Approved application by the Grants Committee for the Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant offered through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. The grant would fund 90% of eligible costs on a designated project, with the town paying 10% of those costs. Grant committee member Collins said the application would request funding for new playground equipment.
To view the entire board meeting, go to this link. To view the formal public comment section, go to the time mark 2:10 (two hours and 10 minutes).