Town Board meeting of February 1, 2024
The Town Board meeting of February 1, 2024 was well attended. This time, the board effectively took action on previously tabled government organization resolutions, including one outlining the role of the Town Supervisor and one that establishes a protocol for various types of board appointed committees.
Much of the work accomplished at the meeting stirred extensive public comment:
Town Supervisor Donal Collins announced that a presentation on the Open Meetings Law that was anticipated for this meeting has been scheduled for the 2/15/24 town board meeting, when Town Attorney Tal Rappleyea will be available as a legal expert to address questions, especially allowable interactions of board members outside of public meetings.
Collins said that the changes in the supervisor role as outlined in the resolution scheduled for a vote at the meeting may be significant enough to warrant a mandated voter referendum. He moved to table the resolution pending additional legal opinion, but received no second on the motion. The resolution passed by a vote of 3 to 1, with Collins voting nay. Board Member Rick Werwaiss said whether that would require a referendum could be addressed at the next meeting.
The board discussed establishing a moratorium on Solar Array Applications, to allow time to consider and incorporate new regulations by the Zoning Update Committee, which will be guided by the updated Comprehensive Plan and the Community Preservation Plan. The board agreed to request that the Town Attorney draft a moratorium for a 6 month time period, with provisions for extension as needed, for future consideration by the board.
In a split vote, the board appointed members to the inaugural CommunityPreservation Fund Advisory Board. The first slate of candidates proposed by Supervisor Collins included Mary Gail Biebel (Chair), Eric Ooms, Abi Mesick, Tim Mackerer, and Guillermo Maciel. That slate was defeated in a 3 to 1 vote. Councilman Werwaiss offered a second slate that included Mary Gail Biebel (Chair), Eric Ooms, Jason Brown, Guillermo Maciel, and Matt Greitzer; this slate was approved by of vote of 3 to 1.
In addition, the board:
Agreed to fund an engineering study to determine the cost and feasibility of constructing a drive-up window for the Town Clerk’s office at a cost of approximately $4000. This modification of the town hall has been suggested to facilitate accessibility to the Town Clerk for older or disabled people, and to reduce congestion inside of town hall.
Agreed to explore the cost and advisability of erecting a small pavilion near the Frisbee Golf Course and Town Hall, for use by town hall employees and frisbee golf patrons.
Agreed to join a Clean Energy Community effort to educate and encourage the use of electric vehicles by town residents under the Chatham Going Electric! campaign.
Adopted the Citizens’, Staff and Project Review Advisory Committees protocol.
Added to the Traffic Safety Advisory Working Group Roster to include Council Members Destiny Hallenbeck and John Wapner.
Appointed citizen David Ross to the Finance and Planning Advisory Committee.
Appointed citizen Bonnie Schoonmaker as Chair of the Grants Appropriations Advisory Committee.
Appointed Board Member John Wapner as Chair of the Parks & Recreation Committee.
Appointed Board Member Angus Eaton as Chair of the Climate Smart Action Task Force Advisory Committee. Appointed citizen Lisa Ross to the Climate Smart Action Task Force Advisory Committee.
Appointed Board Member Rick Werwaiss as Co-Chair of the Broadband and Cellular Service Advisory Committee.
Appointed Board Member John Wapner as Chair and citizen Melissa Pollack as Co-Chair of the Communications Committee.
Appointed citizens Lisa Simonetti and Robin Jenkins to the Conservation Advisory Committee.
In other news:
Supervisor Collins announced that the newly established Free Store will be open on Saturday, February 3, from 10 AM until 2 PM. The Free Store is located in a large shed in the Town Hall parking lot. Collins said the store has received many donations, including toys and clothing, and is ready to distribute them to any town resident for free. He said that more information on how and when donations can be made in the future will be forthcoming.
The Climate Smart Action Task Force Advisory Committee is following up to address resident concerns and preferences for lighting in lighting districts located in East Chatham, North Chatham and Kinderhook Lake.