Town Board report 4-20-23

Highlights from the April 20 Town Board Meeting

Environmental news and issues

Some related upcoming events are here (see Town of Chatham website homepage and announcements for details):

• Chatham Clean Up week, now through Sunday 4/23

• Free film, 2040, at the Crandall, Sunday 4/23/29

• Household Hazardous Waste Day, Saturday, 4/29/23

• Repair Café, New Lebanon fire house, Sunday, 4/30/23 from 12 – 4

• Chatham Community Clean Up Day, Saturday, 5/20

  In other climate related news, the board approved a survey of hamlet residents (in North Chatham, East Chatham, and Kinderhook Lake) who pay taxes to independent “special lighting districts”. The survey, to be devised and conducted by the Climate Smart Action Task Force Committee, will explore residents’ desire to decommission, improve or refit lights in those hamlets with more efficient lighting. Survey results and recommendations will be addressed by the board.

Crellin Park summer program news

Registration for camp attendance and related activities will take place at Town Hall on Route 295:

• Tuesday 5/2 at 5:30 –town residents 

• Tuesday 5/9 at 5:30—non-residents

The board agreed to contract with Kyle Schemerhorn to teach tennis and pickleball lessons to campers in the Crellin Park summer program.

Crellin Park campers are offered swim lessons, tennis or pickleball lessons, and gardening opportunities at the Children’s Garden for an additional cost.

Appointments

• Town Historian: Following the death of longtime town historian Dick Dorsey, the board agreed to hire Matthew Meier, who has served as Deputy Historian since July of last year.

• At the request of the Grants Committee, the board approved a new member, Gil Chichester of Chatham Center.

Community Preservation Plan

The board discussed aspects of the Community Preservation Plan and answered some questions from the public during public comment. If the plan is adopted by the board, voters will have an opportunity to approve a ballot referendum in November, and if that referendum is approved, the plan will establish a fund from real estate transfer taxes (paid by the buyer to the town) and an Advisory Board to administer those funds to protect working farms, farmland and rural character.

The current draft of the Community Preservation Plan is on the town website; there will be a public hearing in the next few months. All voters are urged to read and clarify any questions about the plan and the implications for the town, prior to or at the public hearing.