Town Board updates

• Volunteers on the Climate Action Committee continue to participate in GIS tracking training with volunteer committee member Conrad Vispo.

• Invasive Species Committee and Crellin Park volunteers are regularly watering newly planted trees at Crellin Park.

• The most recent meeting of the Housing and Zoning Committees led to a recommendation that duplex units (to allow 2 housing units rather than only one) sized less than 2000 square feet be allowed on Single Lot Exemptions (that were recently approved by the board). The joint committee is also looking at sending out information to residents regarding recent changes in the zoning laws (including the mobile home law, the SLE law, and the Accessory Dwelling Unit law) to ensure that town residents understand their options for securing or creating improved or additional housing.

• The Recreation Committee is looking at creating an “Adventure Park” with natural materials at Crellin Park, and the committee is researching similar facilities in other localities. Supervisor Collins clarified that the pond at Crellin Park will be treated for algae prior to the summer day camp. 

• Supervisor Collins noted that the “Donor Board” has been erected at Crellin Park to memorialize community members’ contributions of time, money, and other resources to the park.  Collins noted specifically that recently retired local landscaper Gary Wemple has donated garden equipment and tools to the town for use at Crellin Park.

• During public comment, landscape architect Wendy Carroll (who has volunteered to assess and prioritize short term needs at the Crellin Park facility) raised concerns about potential Town Board liability at the park for equipment that requires regular maintenance. She also noted that there are many plans and suggestions for changes at the park, without an overarching plan to pay for maintenance of facilities or to prioritize and execute projects that are identified as desirable. She suggested a meeting of stakeholders to discuss how to ensure that funding, personnel / volunteers, and planning resources are sufficient to keep the park in good shape for the future.

• Resident Kate Butler announced that she would like formal support from the Town Board to apply for a “Funding Future Fellows” position. If chosen, she would receive training and work with the town to set ecological and environmental goals and find funding for those goals. She provided information along with her request and will follow up with board members.

In formal resolutions, the Board voted:

• To authorize the annual agreement between the Town and the Stonykill Disc Golf Club that  grants a non-exclusive license to use the land adjacent to the Town Hall for recreational disc golf.

• To reappoint Alternate Members of the Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board to a second one year term. Initially appointed in 2024, Abi Mesick and Corey Macfarlane will serve until 2026.  

  In a related discussion, Supervisor Collins explained that the current process for reappointment involves a recommendation from the Board Chair that members and alternate members be reappointed and agreement from the person seeking reappointment.  If both conditions are not met, or if a person has served the maximum of three terms, the board invites applications for the vacant position from the public. 

  Collins said this is the same process as the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board use.  Based on discussion, Board Member Werwaiss suggested that a revision of this policy be reviewed and adjusted to allow for identification of residents who are actively interested in contributing to the work of Town government via committee or board work when any board member’s term expires.  Werwaiss agreed that review and possible revision of this policy would be appropriate at the 2026 Organizational Meeting of the Board.

• To authorize the use by CABA (Chatham Area Business Alliance) of the jointly owned municipal parking lot in the Village of Chatham for Summerfest 2025 and Oktoberfest 2025 festivities, to include music, entertainment, and a tent and stage in the lot.  

• To approve / accept standard items: the Town Board minutes for April 2025, the Supervisor’s financial report as prepared by the Town’s Accountant, and the financial abstract as presented to pay Town bills.

• The Board was split, as was the audience, on a resolution to “Support federal adherence to due process”. Offered by Board Member Werwaiss, the resolution highlighted current news that the federal government has sent immigrants and “legally present people” to foreign countries and foreign prisons without the benefit of due process, a violation of the law and Constitution.

• The Board heard a variety of opinions from the Board members and the public on the matter prior to the vote.

  These included that the federal government is violating the US Constitution by extraditing people from the US to foreign countries and jails without a court hearing; and that it is the obligation of every official at all levels of government to stand up to call out these actions. Others’ opinions were that the details of the resolution were not unanimously agreed to by the public, that the resolution could be divisive and interrupt the proper focus of the Town Board (i.e., Town business), and that approval of the resolution would have no effect on the federal government’s actions. 

  Board member Wapner offered to work with member Werwaiss to rewrite the resolution for future consideration, taking these and other points into consideration.

The next Town Board meeting will be held on June 5; agenda and the option to attend online is found here prior to the meeting.

A video of the May 15 meeting can be accessed here.