Board works to balance -
In related committee reports, Housing Committee Chair Hallenbeck noted that the deadline for residents to apply for income-based grants to construct accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their properties is 12/13/24 (see related article in this newsletter). Hallenbeck and ZoningUpdate Committee Chair Eaton are continuing with joint committee meetings to develop ways to increase housing options in the town. The public is invited to their meetings and is able to make public comments in that setting.
Abi Mesick reported for the Conservation Advisory Board and the Invasive Species Committees. Both committees have initiatives at this time. She reported a successful “Goldenrod Stomp” at Crellin Park earlier this month, which was an effort to increase goldenrod and other pollinator plants at the park. She thanked the volunteer adults and children who participated.
Supervisor Collins updated some efforts to address traffic and speeding concerns in the town. He said all requests from the Town Board to reduce speed limits on some local roads have been sent to the NYS Department of Transportation, with an expectation that DOT will process the requests within the next six months. Collins said he continues to meet with county and village law enforcement to review efforts being made to enforce speeding and other traffic laws in the town.
Several Town Board committees are seeking new members. Residents are encouraged to apply to serve on the Climate Smart /Action Task Force Committee, Broadband and Cellular Service Committee, and the Housing Committee by emailing committee chairs, listed on the town’s website.
Supervisor Collins said the Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board has begun meeting regularly and plans to include guest speakers on topics related to the CPFAB’s work at upcoming meetings. They hope to meet monthly during winter months.
Speaking for the Chatham Agricultural Partnership, Collins said that this group will be sending to the Solar Law Committee the partnership’s opinion on what types of solar development would be desirable in the town. In response to a question from the public, Collins said he believes that the CAP wants to encourage rooftop solar installations for home owners’ self-sufficiency without sacrificing agricultural resources in the town.
Town Board member Eaton, speaking for the Solar Law Committee, said they are close to releasing a proposed solar town law for consideration by the board and discussion at a public hearing.
Park and Recreation Committee Chair Wapner said the committee continues work on finalizing the Park Plan and is in the process of reviewing over 140 surveys on park use completed in recent months. The committee is considering more events for winter months, including a possible polar plunge. There has also been some interest in a pump track event, now that that track has been markedly improved by volunteers.
During public comment, one resident said the use of the park in winter or any season could be improved by paving parking areas and fixing numerous potholes at the park.
Another comment and question related to how the Town might respond to any increase in Immigration & Custom Enforcement (ICE) activity in the town related to changes in the federal government coming in January 2025; specifically, if local neighbors and residents are targeted by that agency. Town Board members clarified that the town government has no role in interacting with ICE officials, as this is a county responsibility.
As part of his Town and County Report**, Supervisor Collins explained that the Board of Supervisors has approved a 4% occupancy tax on hotels, motels, and short-term rentals, applicable to all STRs (familiarly known as AirBNBs) in the town of Chatham, as well as to the remainder of the county outside of the City of Hudson. The county has contracted with the Granicus firm to identify and oversee tax collection. Collins said this contractual agreement will not address the collection of fines that are allowable for noncompliance to a Town of Chatham local law that requires registration of STRs. The town has devised a separate system to address this. He pointed out that registration of known STRs in the town is not close to the number of identified STR properties at this time.
The board resolved the following after discussion and review during the November 21 meeting:
To accept October Town Board meeting minutes, the October town supervisor's financial report (prepared by the town accountant), and the financial abstract as present to pay town bills.
To authorize early payment on two standard expenses:
(1) employee benefits to the NYS Retirement System (paying before 12/15/24 rather than by 2/1/25). This early payment saves the town $858.00; and
(2) per union contract, longevity bonuses, health insurance buy-outs, and monthly payroll.
To renew annual licenses for the following mobile home parks located within town boundaries, based on a recommendation by the Town Code Enforcement Officer, who conducted annual mobile home inspections:
Breezy Hill Mobile Home Park
Gleason’s Mobile Home Park
T&S Rock City Holding LLC
Golden Acres Mobile Home Park
To accept the resignation of Tammy Shaw from the Communications Committee, effective immediately.
To appoint Recalibrate LLC as the Town’s payroll provider for 2025, following a review of bids solicited for this service.
To apply for the NYS Community Resiliency, Sustainability and Technology Program (CREST) grant that addresses decarbonization of town facilities in the amount of $125,000.00. Details of the grant request are found in the agenda, resolution #232-24.
Via motions during the old business segment of the meeting, the board voted on three issues. First, they approved two protocols that were revised following an earlier workshop discussion with the board. The approved Correspondence Protocol offered by the Communications Committee and the Park Projects & Usage Protocol offered by the Parks & Recreation Committee are now available on the Town website as attachments in the Agenda for the 11/21/24 Town Board meeting.
The board also voted to allocate the remainder of ARPA monies (approximately $108,000 that must be spent on completed projects by the end of 2026) to the following priorities: paving the town hall parking lot, lighting in the town hall parking area, refurbishing the north pavilion at Crellin Park, and adding a dehumidifying system to town hall. They agreed that any remaining ARPA monies will be allocated to an engineering study necessary for the highway garage extension project.
The next workshop meeting of the Town Board is scheduled for 12/5/24 at 6:30 pm and is scheduled for 2 hours.**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**REPEATED REQUESTS IGNORED
Supervisor Collins’ oral review of his Town and County Report clocked in at close to 45 minutes of Town Board meeting time on November 21. The meeting went from a proposed two-hour period to over 2½ hours.
The Town & County Report has been the subject of repeated requests by board members that they receive a copy of the written report prior to the board meetings. Board members’ rationale has been that given time to review the written report, they could expand or clarify information of interest in that report during the meeting without using meeting time to hear the report in detail. Prior to the November 21, 2024 meeting, board members did receive a copy of the 32 page Town & County Report for the first time, but this did not eliminate the Supervisor’s lengthy oral report.
In keeping with board member requests, it seems worth a trial run for the Supervisor’s Report to be on file with the Town Clerk and that board members receive it prior to the meeting. If any board member or the Supervisor wants to highlight or clarify any aspect of the report (particularly issues related to town business) at the board meeting, a short amount of time can be allocated and the longer written report would always be on file and available to the public, should additional information be needed.