Other TB Business
Earlier in the meeting, the board addressed a longstanding project at Crellin Park to establish a “fitness trail” that the Town Board has previously approved. Recently, a consultant to the board regarding the park raised concern about potential liability with some of the planned equipment and future, unbudgeted maintenance costs. The board heard from Jay Thorne, Executive Director of Chatham Area Recreation Project, which has proposed the project. Thorne reviewed concerns and said CARP wants to offer the fitness trail to the town, but he is not clear that the town welcomes the project. Board discussion indicated agreement that the project is desirable, that they will need to address issues of maintenance, and that there should be signage indicating appropriate age ranges for use of the equipment. Supervisor Collins said he would seek a legal opinion on any outstanding liability issue prior to final approval of the project.
In other business, board member Wapner asked about the process used to select donors listed on the Donor Board at Crellin Park. Supervisor Collins said he had taken the lead to solicit suggestions. Several board members asked that the board be involved in choosing and approving names and organizations for inclusion on the donor board and identified individuals with longstanding involvement in the park for recognition. The board will act on approving these names at a future date.
In a series of interrelated resolutions, the board addressed several requests from the Financial Planning and Economic Development Citizen Advisory Committee. They appointed Patrick Owens as a member of the committee and appointed Gabriella Sperry as Co-Chair. In addition, they created an unpaid intern position to allow for expeditious data collection and organization necessary for the committee’s work; and accepted a monetary contribution from the Columbia County Tourism Bureau and CABA, and agreed to pay an additional amount of $100.00 to produce a “rack card” for advertising. Finally, the board agreed on a case-by-case basis to allow the use of the Town logo for local economic development media.
The board also voted to approve these additional resolutions:
To hold Crellin Park Day on Saturday, August 16, from 2 to 8 pm. In a separate vote, the board voted to approve the sale of alcohol from 4 to 6 pm, as permitted by town policy, by Chatham Brewing, LLC. Supervisor Collins voted no, as he has consistently opposed the use and sale of alcohol at the park as a board member, saying it creates an “elevated risk” to visitors to the park.
To authorize an increase to a budget line for highway improvement to accept extra funding in the amount of $683,580.00 recently authorized in the NYS budget.
To approve, as required by NYS Highway Law, a submission from Highway Superintendent Fetzer that details upcoming road work. As detailed in the Agenda (pp.58-59) the planned work involves repaving roads, culvert replacement, and adding paved aprons to unpaved roads that intersect with larger paved roads.
To approve the immediate appointment of Liz Burroughs to the position of Alternate Member of the Planning Board to serve through 2025.
To approve an agreement with NYS related to any highway work completed under NYS permit that might require activity on NYS roads, relative to the Town’s responsibility in such instances.
To accept the resignation of Melissa Voorhees from the Zoning Board of Appeals and appoint Jennifer Touchstone to the vacant position of Zoning Board Member.
To approve a memorandum of agreement to grant a leave of absence with extended medical benefits for a town employee.
The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for June 19, and a recording of the June 5 meeting is here.