June 4th Town Board meeting (cont’d)

Old Business

Board member Wapner said that he would like to schedule a discussion of the NYS Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and the Open Meetings Law (OML) to ensure that members of Citizen Advisory Committees are familiar with the requirements related to those laws as they apply to their participation on these committees. He said that the Town attorney advised him that the committees must adhere to the NYS law that disallows more than two board members as committee members (part of the Open Meetings Law), but that the town can formulate procedures to comply with requirements of the Freedom of Information Law. Wapner requested that the Town Clerk, who is the Town’s designated FOIL officer, provide the Board with her FOIL procedures so the Town Board can determine if there are procedural changes they want to implement. Board member Simonetti recommended that the board review and make any updates to both FOIL and OML protocols, combine them into a procedure, and add them to the Board’s organizational structure, which was agreeable to the rest of the board.

Wapner also reiterated a previous request that the Board regularly address emerging needs that might impact on the budget in the next calendar year. He referenced potential upcoming expenses related to Town Park needs for maintenance and additional personnel hours, including requests during the 2026 budget review for additional personnel from the Highway Department and the Building Department that may be outstanding. Other board members supported Wapner’s request for regular updates on potential sources of funds in the current budget that could be allocated if needed for future needs and projects or distributed in next year’s budget. The board also agreed with Board member Eaton’s suggestion to update the list of prioritized capital improvements the board had developed in 2025 as a guide to budget planning. Board member Werwaiss suggested Wapner follow up with the Town’s contracted grant specialist to identify potential grant sources for specific upcoming needs at Crellin Park.

Supervisor Collins reported that the planned electric service upgrades for Town Hall have been revised through consultation with the contracted electrician and advised the Board he would present a resolution to allocate money from the CREST grant for this work. Board member Eaton said he would be willing to write a press release highlighting the grant and the Town’s decisions about how to expend funds for Town needs. 

New Business

Collins asked and the board supported his efforts with residents and the 4H group “Crafty Cowpokes” to develop a float with an agricultural theme for the June 13 Flag Day Parade in Hudson.  

Public comment

Included residents’ appreciation for the speed monitor in North Chatham, concerns about the deteriorated paving at Crellin Park on roadways and parking lots, and a suggestion that the Town consider sharing highway services with neighboring towns to decrease equipment costs, coordinate work, and free up funds for other needs in the town. This was past practice.  Other comments supported virtual attendance at citizen committee meetings, considering technology issues that have come up, and uneven compliance with providing a virtual option, and compliments to the Highway Department for stellar work on a local unpaved road.

Resolutions

In formal business, the Town Board: 

• Discussed the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability and Technology Program (“CREST”) grant for $125,000 to provide clean energy heating, cooling and fleet advancement at the Town Hall, and voted to allocate $30,500 of the grant to that project.

• e

  Confirmed that the large pavilion located at Crellin Park will be officially named the “Joseph Rickert Pavilion” and authorized the the total costs associated with fabrication and installation of signage to that effect, at a total cost of $3,975. There will be a formal dedication scheduled later this year.

The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June18 at 6:30 pm at Town Hall. The agenda and links to attend online will be found on the June calendar posted on the Town website.