Jan 9 meeting report

New and familiar faces were in attendance at the first monthly meeting of 2023. Pizza, salad and desserts were available prior to the meeting. We had a chance to socialize, which was a welcome change from the many Zoom meetings we’ve held over the past two years. 

Some highlights:

President Cindy Bobseine noted the newly elected officers who will serve over the next two years: 

• Teresa Barensfeld, VP 

• Judi Matthews, Secretary 

• Angus Eaton, Treasurer 

• Joanne DelRossi, Town Chair 

• Bart Thibadeau, Town Vice Chair 

Town Chair DelRossi reported that New York State is undergoing a redistricting process for the State Assembly. This has implications for who will represent much of Columbia County in 2025. Initial redistricting proposals would put Columbia County in the new 107th District, which would go up into Rensselaer County and across the Hudson River. Such a change would decrease the favorable ratio of registered Democrats relative to our current district, represented by Assembly Member Didi Barrett (Town of Chatham except for the Village).  

The first draft of the NYS Assembly Map is available for viewing at 

https://nyirc.gov/assembly-plan.  Citizens can make comments through that website or can attend in-person meetings as described at 

https://nyirc.gov/meetings.  The meeting for the Capital Region is January 25 at 5 PM at SUNY Albany.  Pre-registration is required.  

The Columbia County Democratic Committee (CCDC) is in the process of identifying candidates for the offices of County Judge, Treasurer, and District Attorney, which will be open seats in November 2023. Chatham Dems committees are actively planning for 2023. 

Betsy Winters-Russell, chair of the Events Committee, led a discussion about potential fundraisers and social events.  

Carol Moore, chair of the new Membership Committee, announced she will coordinate with the Events Committee and join the Communications Committee to facilitate outreach, and to identify and welcome more local Democrats to join the Chatham Dems and get involved. 

Tom Ehrich reviewed the Communications Committee’s work on the newsletter, Facebook, and website.  Group discussion highlighted some suggested changes in how these forms of communication are maintained and utilized.

Judi Matthews and Dottie Cummings, co-chairs of the Volunteer Committee have been taking a break since the election, but are always ready to step up to recruit and organize volunteers as needed.

Bart Thibadeau, chair of the Nominating Committee, talked about the process of identifying and recruiting interested citizens for open government seats. This fall, we will be looking for local candidates to run for Town Supervisor, Town Board (two seats), and Town Justice. 

The opening for Town Justice arose when current Town Justice James Forster announced that he has decided to step away from this role and will not run again. He is now in the last of four years of his current term, having been elected three times for four-year terms. He explained the role of Town Justice to the group, along with basic criteria for candidates, stating that the Town of Chatham has one of the busiest town courts in the County.

Town Board Member Rick Werwaiss reported on the Town Board’s annual organizational meeting. The many details for day-to-day town government were reviewed and approved, and various committee assignments were announced. 

The Town of Chatham Housing Committee, which has been in the works for several months, will be co-chaired by board members Destiny Hallenbeck and Abi Mesick.

Rick said he is currently serving on the Conservation Advisory Council, the Climate Smart Committee, and the Grant Committee. The Grant Committee and the Finance and Planning Committee are both looking for new members. Interested parties can contact Town Supervisor Collins at Supervisor@chathamnewyork.us.

The group agreed to hold monthly meetings on the second Monday of the month, to allow for predictability for those who want to plan to attend. We are looking into options for a regular meeting space; the Tri-Village Fire hall and the Crellin Park pavilion are both under consideration at this time. We hope to provide hybrid meetings in the future to allow online attendance to those who prefer that to in-person meetings.

Our next meeting will be on February 13. Details to come. We hope to see you there!