Town Board meeting—December 18th (continued)
News from subcommittee reports included updates on continuing work to apply for grants by the Invasive Species Awareness Committee and the joint Housing and Zoning Update Committee. In other committee news:
Climate Smart Committee Chair Angus Eaton began a conversation about the increasing cost burden of the electric vehicle charging stations in the town, and Supervisor Collins noted there will a less expensive option available through NYSERDA in the coming year. The Board will look at this in early 2026.
Communications Committee Chair Wapner reported that the committee had discussed the proposed newsletter and the request that the committee offer online attendance. There was Board support for all committees to offer online attendance, in addition to in person attendance.
Housing Committee Chair Eaton reported on a recent NYS grant application that would fund a site assessment on part of the Town-owned property located behind the Town Hall. This assessment would include a determination of water flow direction relative to a known landfill on the property, a topographical survey, a boundary survey, and a conceptual site plan for housing development.
Supervisor Collins said that traffic safety group members in North Chatham are asking to appeal a denial of a decreased speed limit in the hamlet and are exploring the possibility of sidewalks and crosswalks there. He said previously discussed planned interventions to address speeding and traffic safety are still in process in other areas of the town.
Solar Committee Chair Eaton said the committee has been reviewing comments on the draft Solar Law received to date from reviewers, including the Planning Board. He said Planner Michael Allen is editing the draft to include committee recommendations and changes, and the next step will be for the Committee to submit it to the Town Board for review and comment.
The Zoning Update Committee Chair Eaton said the committee is finalizing work on a Planned Residential Development proposal, with a draft being completed by Planner Michael Allen. That proposal will be submitted to the Board for review and comments.
The Financial Planning and Economic Development Committee Chair John Breault reported on the committee’s presentation of its survey findings to the Chatham Village Trustees. Breault requested that the Board intervene to facilitate the committee’s work with the Village government.
In old business, the Board discussed the upcoming Organizational Meeting for the Board scheduled for January 2, 2026. The conclusion was that any suggested ideas could be circulated to the Board prior to that meeting. To a concern that this could violate the Open Meetings Law, Town Attorney Rappleyea agreed with Board Member Werwaiss that it is permissible to share opinions among board members, but not to make any decisions about Town Board matters outside of a public meeting.
The Board discussed a written proposal for a quarterly newsletter from the town that had been submitted for consideration by Supervisor Collins. Collins reviewed the topics he anticipates could be covered in such a newsletter and said it could be produced by staff at Town Hall. Communications Committee Chair Wapner said that the proposal will be on the Committee’s agenda early in 2026 and reminded the Board that an earlier discussion by the committee about doing a newsletter was ended due to the resignation of Committee members and a lack of staffing for the endeavor. Collins offered to prepare a newsletter for board review, and there was agreement that the proposal will be on the February workshop agenda.
The Board began a discussion on a proposal by Highway Superintendent Fetzer to allow him to grant “comp time” to highway employees in circumstances he deems appropriate. The proposal raised questions and opinions, and the Board agreed to gather more information and to discuss this proposal at a future meeting.
In formal business, the Board resolved the following:
To accept the resignation of Lisa Simonetti from the Planning Board and to advertise for a replacement for the Planning Board position. Simonetti was elected to the Town Board in November and will begin her term on January 1, 2026.
To accept Karen Malina’s resignation from the Zoning Update and Housing Committees. Malina was a member of those committees for the past two years and previously served on the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee for four years.
To renew licenses for the following mobile home parks located in the Town of Chatham, based on inspection by the Chatham Code Enforcement Officer: Breezy Hill Mobile Home Park, Gleason’s Mobile Home Park, T&S Rock City Holding LLC (owner of Pleasant View Mobile Home Park), and Golden Acres Mobile Home Park.
To request from NYS DOT an area speed reduction on County Route 28 in Chatham Center for the segment that runs from Harris Road to NYS Route 66.
To approve the Town Board minutes for November 6 and November 20, 2025; to accept the Town Accountant’s Financial Supervisor’s Report; and to accept the financial abstract as presented to pay Town bills.
The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 2 at 5 PM. That will be the Organizational Meeting for the Town Board for 2026.