Town Board - November 20th (con’t)
Based on survey results, the committee made recommendations as to initial steps in developing an Economic Development Plan for the Town. Briefly, these include:
Support and infrastructure for businesses to thrive, including work to improve parking, signage, zoning information, and promotional support for local businesses.
Increased availability of affordable housing, lodging options, and financing support for local businesses.
Increased visibility for local businesses to attract more visitors and residents through improved signage and marketing.
Active partnering with the Town’s evolving Arts and Culture sector to strengthen community vitality and collaboration with local businesses and town government.
Measurement of success with quantifiable data to track and identify positive changes, adjust planning as needed, and celebrate improvements and successes.
To achieve these recommendations, the committee is requesting the hiring of a part-time Economic Development Officer to jumpstart the process; and the establishment of a publicity fund to fund the development of promotional content and communication pathways to share what Chatham offers to residents and visitors alike.
Board and public comment following the presentation was varied. Comments included: Recommendations that the Town continue and intensify collaboration with the Village and potentially with the adjoining Town of Ghent to improve the local business climate. In addition, the Columbia Economic Development Corporation was mentioned as a potential resource. Board member Eaton pointed out that municipal collaboration might increase the likelihood of winning grants from NYS, which could provide additional resources.
To the point that economic development might increase income disparity in the town and have little benefit for many residents of moderate or lower incomes, Committee Co-Chair Gabriella Sperry said that one purpose of the economic development is to increase the tax base of the town, and in so doing, to keep increases in taxes on local property owners to a minimum while increasing the town’s revenues. One person suggested that the Town should focus on the broader issues affecting the residents of the town, specifically housing needs and employment, rather than on the needs of businesses. There was general agreement among those who spoke that more options and more affordable housing in the town is a primary issue that needs attention. Another person commented that it was possible to address the needs of residents, workers, and businesses, and that these all represent pieces of life in the Town of Chatham.
At the end of the presentation and commentary, Sperry said that the committee will be meeting with the Village Mayor as a next step and invited Supervisor Collins to attend that meeting. The committee will be providing regular reports to the Board in the future.
In regular business, the Board:
Accepted the resignations of Abi Mesick and Linda Laurange from the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) following receipt of their respective letters of resignation. Mesick was recognized for her efforts in leading the CAC’s “contribution to the completion and adoption of the Town's Community Preservation Plan” and leading an effort to bring GIS mapping to the forefront of Town preservation and conservation considerations; and Laurange was recognized for her assistance in achieving both of these goals.
Awarded the 2025 “Farmer of the Year” designation to Claudia Kenny and Will Denner of Little Seed Farms. The Chatham Agricultural Partnership established this award in 2023 to honor outstanding local farmers. Kenny and Denner founded the 100-acre Little Seed Farm in 1995 within Town boundaries. The resolution granting this award cites them as “pioneers in organic and regenerative farming practices,” who established the first local Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) program, and who provided education, technical assistance to farmers, and established a healthy local food system.
Approved the requested 2026 payment via taxes for the services of the Chatham Rescue Squad and the Valatie Rescue Squad, and requested the Columbia County Treasurer to collect property taxes and distribute them to the Chatham Rescue Squad in the amount of $204,095.35 and the Valatie Rescue Squad in the amount of $40,950.00.
Formally accepted ownership and responsibility for segments of nine local roads as a part of the Town’s official highway system, because the Town has provided for the regular maintenance, repair, and upkeep of those roads for over ten years. By doing so, the Town declared the roads to be public, town-maintained highways, assumed all future responsibilities for their maintenance and repair, and assumed all legal duties related to the maintenance of public safety on the identified roads.
Authorized the use of not more than $5,000.00 in funds from the Capital Reserve Fund for Municipal Buildings toward the completion of roof mounted photovoltaics in the Town Hall decarbonization project.
Approved Town Board minutes of October meetings accepted the town accountant’s financial Supervisor’s report, and accepted the financial abstract as presented to pay town bills.
Authorized early payment (on the December 5 payroll) of NYS Retirement premiums for a savings of $1,023.00; and authorized early payment of Longevity, health insurance buy-out, and monthly payroll to eligible Highway Department employees, per union contract.
For additional news from various Citizen Advisory Committees, the Supervisor’s report, and other board business, click on this link for a video of the meeting.
The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2025 at 6:30 pm.