Town Board faces conflict
The Town Board meeting April 18 probably hit a new record time: almost 3-1/2 hours. There was considerable business completed, but public comment was extensive, with some speakers commenting at length more than once during the course of the three public comment periods.
Controversy and public comment centered on issues that were related to a report from Communications Committee Chair John Wapner that described a recent committee meeting. He said the meeting devolved to a point where no business could be completed. Wapner said that following this and a previous committee meeting, several potential committee members had withdrawn their offers to serve on the committee, citing the tone and conflictual discourse of the meeting(s).
He said that the most recent controversy had been over the role of the committee chair and committee process. He asked that the board review the recently adopted protocol on Citizen Advisory Committees to clarify these and related issues. Wapner said that he would not appoint any new
members to the committee until these issues are addressed and clarified.
Another topic that brought long commentary from several residents related to traffic safety initiatives undertaken by the board in response to petitions from town residents to address speeding, pedestrian safety, and other traffic concerns.
In spite of numerous meetings that have identified and clarified these concerns as legitimate, a few residents complained at length that the town board was overreacting by contracting for additional police patrols in the town.
Town Board business completed at the meeting included:
The board unanimously passed a new local law to amend the town code to add No Parking on One-way Streets in the Town. The board heard mixed public comment prior to passage of the law. Per board discussion, the law will affect parking on only three one-way streets, where every residence has off street parking available.
Following the setting of a 2023 Columbia County median price for homes by NYS,
the board increased the exemption threshold for the 1.5% real estate transfer tax established in the Community Preservation legislation adopted by the town in 2023. That tax is levied on the buyer of real estate in the Town of Chatham for the amount of sale above the county median price of a home, with revenues from this tax to be deposited in the town of Chatham Community Preservation Fund.
The 2023 median price of Columbia County homes which sets the new exemption threshold is $432,000.
The board approved:
A lactation accommodation policy for employees who are nursing mothers.
A one-year contract with the Village of Chatham Police Department to provide police patrols for the town, initially targeted in the Town’s hamlets, with adjustments in patrol locations based on observed patterns of speeding, unsafe driving, and other threats to “the safety, well-being, and property of inhabitants and visitors” to the town as identified by the Chatham Village Police Department and the Town Board.
A one-year contract for services from Azavar/LocalGov Short Term Rental compliance service to identify and monitor STR units in the Town of Chatham (outside the Village)
A contract with website development company Revize to upgrade the town website design, functionality, security, search engine optimization, ADA Compliance, mobile device viewing and other updates.
The appointment of Gordon Ross to fill a Board of Assessment Review position prior to Grievance Day in May to fill the position left vacant by the resignation of Marjorie Cartright. In response to a query from board member Angus Eaton, Collins said that the BAR would be advertising and recruiting additional member(s) in the near future.
Approved a contract with the Lady Reds softball organization that includes adaptation of the Crellin Park baseball field to be modified so that both baseball and softball games can use the Crellin Park facility.
Approved a resolution for the Town Board to cooperate with the County Superintendent of Highways to request that the NYS Department of Transportation reduce the speed limit to 45 MPH on Albany Turnpike Road between Haddock Hill Road and Cotter Road.
Agreed to post the two Alternate positions on the Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board for two weeks to ensure that any interested candidates can apply.
Announced that 2024 Crellin Summer Day Camp registration will take place in-person at
Chatham Town Hall on two evenings: Monday, 4/29 at 6 pm for residents of the town, and Tuesday, 4/30 at 6 pm for non-residents. More information on camp schedule and contact information is available here.The Town of Chatham Clean Up Week is scheduled for the week of 4/22 through 4/28/24. Orange garbage bags and reflective vests are available at Town Hall; call 518-392-3262 for more information.
A Town Spring Cleanup Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 18. Town residents can discard up to two pickup truckloads of electronic waste, tires, scrap metal, and refuse for FREE at the Town Highway Garage, 865 County Route 13, Old Chatham, NY.
Long time Board of Assessment Review (BAR) member Marjorie Cartwright tendered her resignation from the BAR. Board members and the audience joined Supervisor Collins in a show of appreciation to Ms. Cartwright for her 41 yearsof service to the town.
The East Chatham Fire Company is hosting a Recruitment Event on 4/28/24 from 12:30 pm-3 pm. The event will include firehouse tours, equipment demonstrations, refreshments and activities for children.
The next board meeting (Workshop) is scheduled for Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 pm, in person and online. To watch the April 18 meeting, click here.