News from Chatham Town Board Meeting 7/20/23

A revised draft of the Town of Chatham Comprehensive Plan draft is now posted on the Town website. The town board is accepting online written comments and has scheduled an in-person public meeting on August 6, 2023 at the Tri-Village Fire Company. The meeting starts at 11:00 am; light refreshments will be served. 

Once a final draft is adopted by the board, it will guide future development and zoning in the town.

In other Town Board news:

• In collaboration with Columbia County, the Town of Chatham is applying for a $100,000 state grant for the construction of new pickleball courts at Crellin Park.

• The town board agreed to develop a town law that will regulate short-term rentals (STRs), an effort that was abandoned several years ago amid controversy over how much regulation was appropriate and necessary for these businesses.  The board discussed the need for such a law after receiving a complaint from a town resident. The use of residential property for short-term rental is not included and therefore is not allowed under the current zoning law.

• Supervisor Collins announced that the State Trooper barracks that will be located near Town Hall on Rte. 295 will begin construction later this year.  The board plans to review details of the plan for this facility, which was approved during the prior town supervisor’s term of office.

• Crellin Park Day is scheduled for August 19 from 2 pm to 8 pm. In a divided vote, the board voted 3-2 to allow Chatham Brewing to sell and serve beer at this event, something that has been allowed at prior Crellin Park Days. There has been ongoing disagreement on the board about allowing alcohol at a town sponsored events in the past.