Town Board Workshop Meeting on December 7
Upcoming Events in Town Announced
Chatham Winter Fest 2023 will be held tomorrow, Saturday, 12/9, 11:00 am-5:00 pm.
More information here.
Tomorrow, Saturday, 12/9: East Chatham Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary will host a 5 pm Holiday Potluck and Party.
Next Saturday, 12/16: Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will visit the Chatham Firehouse from 4 to 8 pm. Children are welcome for a free pancake dinner and hot chocolate!
Solar Policy Question
Resident and local business owner Jodi Rael said that he had previously undergone a simple permitting process on a number of occasions with the Building Department to allow installation of solar panels and technology on some of his properties. Recently, when he applied to install solar technology on commercial property, the request was denied due to an interpretation of current town policy that separates residential and commercial solar development.
The Board asked the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to address this in their December meeting, with input from the Building Department and the town attorney.
Grants Received
Supervisor Collins announced the Town of Chatham recently received two grants for planning expenses related to zoning now that the Comprehensive Plan Update has been approved. A $10,000 grant will support revision of the zoning code, and a grant for $12,000 is designated for development of the Greenway project.
Agriculture News
Chair of the Chatham Agricultural Partnership Henry Corsun presented a brief overview of the recently updated Chatham Agricultural Protection Plan (CAPP), which focuses on the commercial sustainability of local farms. The updated plan presents changes and trends in local agriculture, including a trend here for smaller, more diversified farms and equine-related farming in recent years over the previous predominance of larger commodity dairy farms prior to 2009.
Corsun highlighted plan strategies to nurture and sustain a viable agricultural economy, ensuring a resilient local food system and preservation of farmland for future generations. The CAPP will be the subject of a public hearing and will then be up for approval by the Town Board.
This plan is related to the Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board, members of which Supervisor Collins said he hopes will be announced prior to the end of 2023. Application to participate on that committee can still be made by emailing a letter of interest to chatham@chathamnewyork.us. Questions about the Board responsibilities can be directed to Town Supervisor Donal Collins at (518) 330-1019.
Annual Organizational Meeting
The 2024 Organizational Meeting of the Town Board will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 6:30 PM following the swearing in of newly elected town government at 11 AM on January 1,2024.