Town Board 10-20-22

Comp Plan draft coming soon

The Town Board’s comprehensive plan update review process is moving toward public hearings on a draft plan.

After months of focus groups and town hall meetings, as well as a community-wide written survey, consultant Michael Allen submitted his draft plan this month. Committee members are poring over it to make sure Allen’s product “correlates” with notes that others took during public meetings, said board member Abi Mesick.

“We will get it to the public in the next few weeks,” she said. “I think everyone is going to be very happy with it.”

The format and timing of public hearings remain to be announced.

In other town board news:

— Board member Vance Pitkin said the Parks and Recreation committee will hold a “pump track work party” on October 22 to continue work on the Crellin Park project.

— Town Supervisor Donal Collins reported that county and utility officials expect a 45% to 48% increase in fuel costs (propane, oil and electricity) over the next year. Details can be found on the town web site: [https://www.chathamnewyork.us/] along with tips on dealing with rate hikes.

— The Board approved moving the town’s 2023 budget to the next step in development, including public hearings.

— The Board tabled a motion to endorse a November ballot initiative on a bond act concerning clean air, clean water and green jobs. Three board members wanted to see how much the selling of $4.2 billion of bonds by the state would cost Chatham and what benefit the newly funded program would provide to Chatham. Once cost and benefit information is in hand, the board will vote again on approving the ballot initiative for the Nov 8 election.