October 1 Board Meeting (cont’ed)

OLD BUSINESS

• Continued Budget Review

The board discussed member questions about changes in the proposed budget. Some requests for additional staff were not fulfilled due to the costs of hiring, including health insurance and other benefits. Other department requests exceeded available budget lines and were not granted. Business Officer Shaw reiterated a recommendation that the board use the priority matrix for capital / infrastructure improvements in order to decide what projects would be funded first in coming years.

The board also discussed the option of renewing bonds to fund upcoming projects, as some existing bonds are about to expire. The board took no action on this matter. 

There was a short discussion on reserve fund balances, i.e., savings or other highly liquid assets set aside in the budget to meet any unexpected costs or financial obligations. The Town Accountant had advised several months ago that the town’s reserves be increased over time to more reliably cover unexpected costs in the future. Additional sources of income or existing monies must be identified to increase fund balances as has been recommended, but it is not yet clear how this town board intends to accomplish that goal. Expect further discussion as the budget process continues.

Board Member Wapner asked for summary information on specific expenses that have been paid out of fund balances in the past year.  These disbursements are typically approved by resolution as needed. Business Officer Shaw said she will share  a summary of those disbursements with the board. Shaw also recommended that the town return to a system of periodic, scheduled replacement of equipment so that annual expenses are more predictable.

Supervisor Collins announced that the town has finally received approximately $11,000 in town-allocated funds from the county for the first fourteen months of occupancy taxes on short-term rental properties (STRs). This payment will likely be an annual source of income for the town, now that the county has a system to collect taxes on STRs.

Budget deliberations will continue in upcoming board meetings.

• Communications Committee: Proposed Voluntary Decency Statement

Board member Wapner read a statement devised by the Communication Committee related to recommended behavior when communicating with others in the course of Town Board business. Board member Eaton offered some written commentary on the statement which will go back to the committee for discussion, and a finalized statement will be presented to the Board in the near future. Wapner recommended that the statement be posted in the Board room for reference.

NEW BUSINESS

Supervisor Collins announced that two employees have resigned, and he will be asking to advertise for the vacated positions of Clerk / Typist in the Building Department and Town Historian.

PUBLIC COMMENT (time stamp 2:12 to 2:30) included the following topics:

• Additional questions and comments about the proposed position of Deputy Highway Superintendent, including the potential costs of the position, and why other options have not been considered.  Supervisor Collins said that Highway Superintendent Fetzer has made the case that this position is the best and most efficient option for the town.

• Appreciation and support for Assessor Smith’s presentation and recommendations 

• Opposition to granting an outstanding request from the Town’s Economic Development Committee for funds. The speaker cited her interpretation of the committee’s survey as not consistent with the committee’s current efforts. 

• A request that the Economic Development Committee do more to support agricultural economic development as a step to rebuilding and supporting the local economy.

• A request for any available data on the current number of STRs in the town (minus the village) and how many town permits have been granted.

RESOLUTIONS

In formal business, the board:

• Accepted the resignation of Clerk / Typist Jennifer Weaver of the Building Department and authorized advertising for this vacancy.

• Accepted the resignation of Town Historian Matt Meier and authorized advertising for this vacancy.

• Tabled the resolution to adopt the 2026 local law amending the residency for the Deputy Town Superintendent of Highways after Board member Eaton asked that the board delay the vote until the public was given access to the full written job description. The motion to table was supported by Supervisor Collins and opposed by Board members Werwaiss and Wapner. In the absence of Board member Simonetti, the vote was split and the resolution was tabled.

Prior to adjournment, Board member Werwais requested three items be added to an upcoming agenda:

• Status of the mobile home park on Rte. 203 in North Chatham

• Status of new website launch

• Revisiting the idea of charging for permits to use of Crellin Park, which was previously a source of income for the town.

View a video of the October 1, 2026 Town Board meeting HERE. The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2026 at 6:30 pm, in person at Town Hall or online / by phone. 

Go to the town calendar links for the Agenda for the October 15, 2026 Town Board meeting and for information on how to attend online or by phone.