Town Board meeting Mar 21
The Town Board considered a proposed local law that would add two alternate members to the Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board (CPFAB). The board agreed to amend the law to allow each of these “alternate” members to serve on an alternating basis to vote on board decisions when a regular CPFAB member is unable to participate.
The revised proposal will be presented at a public hearing on April 4, 2024 at 6:35 PM prior to the Town Board’s regular monthly workshop meeting. The town board agreed that a prompt passage of the new law will allow the fully staffed Advisory Board to begin their assigned duties in the near future.
Citizen advisory committees reported on monthly meetings.
Broadband and Cellular Service Committee co-chair Destiny Hallenbeck urged any Chatham resident who does not yet have access to high speed internet to report this to NYS ConnectALL. The survey is set up so that any member of the public and other stakeholder can identify a location in the town that does not have high speed internet service, please submit it by April 11, 2024.
The Zoning Update Committee (ZUC) and the Housing Committee (HC) have met jointly to work on changes in zoning that will allow for new types of housing in town. The aim is to address the critical shortage of affordable and sufficient housing stock for the local community, as identified in the revised Comprehensive Plan. ZUC chair Angus Eaton and HC Chair Destiny Hallenbeck said they are currently clarifying definitions for types of housing that may be desirable as part of eventual zoning changes in the town.
Eaton said, “There are no easy decisions” about changes in current zoning laws. He said the committees will identify pertinent questions and look for public engagement and comment on their work as they move forward on proposing specific zoning changes. Hallenbeck said that the joint committee meetings are identifying and defining a variety of housing options that will be presented to the public for comment and feedback.
Parks & Recreation chair John Wapner said the committee is developing plans for the annual Crellin Park Day, scheduled for August. The committee is also reworking and updating the Park Plan for the town to guide improvements and changes in the town’s park facilities.
In other action:
The Town of Chatham plans a town-wide cleanup week from April 22 - 28 and will sponsor a free Town Cleanup Day on May 18, starting at 8 AM at the Highway garage in Old Chatham. Residents of the town can dispose of various types of waste for free by bringing it to the town garage on that day. Supervisor Collins said the event was very successful last year, and allowed residents to discard electronic waste, metal products, tires, and other solid waste. Details will be forthcoming next month.
The board approved a year-long contract with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Enhanced Enforcement Patrol Program to address speeding and other unsafe driving in the town. The board is also considering contracting with the Chatham Village Police for this effort, and has the option of distributing approved funds to either law enforcement agency.
Newly appointed chair of the town’s Traffic Safety Working Group John Wapner said the group will meet with Supervisor Collins next week to hear more about how their concerns are being addressed by the board.
The board approved:
Contracts with the Chatham Over 30 Soccer League and the Crane Soccer Club to use soccer fields at Crellin Park for the coming season.
A community recreation event known as the “Community Picnic”, scheduled for July 13 at Crellin Park from 11 am - 4 pm, with a rain date for July 14.