July 16th Town Board meeting (cont’d)
Old Business
Announcement that the agenda included resolutions (1) that the Town accept a local cemetery as Town property, with agreement to provide required maintenance; and (2) the Supervisor sign the lease for the Town Justice Court and related offices at the Tracy Memorial.
Board member Simonetti said she had received little written feedback on the proposed Ethics Law to date. She asked the public to weigh in prior to a final board discussion and vote on the law.
Board member Eaton said that he is ready to submit the Town’s draft Solar Law to the County Planning Board for review and that he preferred to leave the following language in the bill in its entirety: “The (solar) overlay zones may be adjusted in the future based on changes to infrastructure, technology, and landowner interest”. Board discussion raised concerns that this language could dilute the intention and limitations imposed by identified overlay zones. In a final resolution, the Board agreed to submit the draft law to the County Planning Board as is for review, with discussion that the Board may modify the language prior to a vote.
Kate Butler, who headed up the local Chatham Voices Project, has collated materials regarding public opinion on desirable improvements in the Town. Results of the survey are available here. On Saturday, July 25 from 1pm to 2:30pm at the Crellin Park (soccer pavilion by the Children’s Garden), Butler will hold a follow up meeting to explore practical ways to bring projects to life with other community members, and map out next steps, including information on funding. She said grant money is available to assist with completion of many of these identified projects and urged the Board and other interested parties to take advantage of her research to apply for these monies. Butler noted that grass roots identification of desirable changes in a municipality is a strong factor in favorability for securing grants.
Supervisor Collins introduced a proposal from a local timber professional that came to his attention on the day of the Town Board meeting. The proposal relates to emergency storm damage mitigation on a 3+ acre area of the property behind the Town Hall, where the Town’s frisbee golf course is located. Collins had consulted with the Town Attorney, who agreed that the emergency nature of the work would allow the Town to proceed without the typical bidding process for this type of work. The Board unanimously passed a motion to proceed with the emergency removal / harvest and sale of blow down lumber, as stipulated in the proposal.
Public Comment
Thirty-five minutes of public comment included the following topics:
the advisability of recording conservation easements with the building department pending use of new software to ensure future development on such easements is recorded;
storm damage at Crellin Park that needs attention;
comments on the proposed solar law, including concerns about potential future environmental impact of solar arrays countered by support to pass the Law;
conflicting feedback on the proposed Town Ethics Law, including opinions that the use of the County Board of Ethics is a viable alternative, questions about the definition of “conflict of interest”, possible partisanship by members of a Town Board of Ethics, potential remedies to prevent that, and full support for a Town-based Board of Ethics;
concern about the publication of correspondence to the Board for public view;
comments on the Town’s planned agreement to assume responsibility for a local cemetery.
Formal business / resolutions
In addition to standard business (approval of board minutes, acceptance of the Town Accountant's financial supervisor’s report, and the financial abstract as presented to pay town bills), the board voted to:
Accept ownership and administration of the Hogeboom Cemetery located on property across from Crellin Park on Rte. 66, following a petition from the Bank of America, which previously owned and administered this property as part of an estate. The transfer of responsibility was possible through a NYS Town Law that governs cemeteries.
Request a speed reduction from the NYS Department of Transportation. The Town is requesting a 35 mph speed limit on a mile-long segment of State Route 66 in Chatham Center (over that distance, SR 66 intersects with White Mills Road, Lovers Lane, Church Street, County Rte. 13, County Route 28, and County Route 17); sections of that segment are currently posted at 40 mph and 55 mph.
In a vote of 4 to 1, the Board approved a motion to send the Draft Solar Law as presented to the County Planning Board for review.
The next Town Board workshop meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 6:30 pm. Attendance is available in-person, online or by phone.