IT'S TIME TO VOTE

 All of these ideas came from Chatham neighbors. 

Vote for your favorite by MAY, 15th 2026

Community volunteers got a grant to run a year-long nonpartisan listening campaign, host community events, and gather ideas from Chatham residents. After the vote is in, we’ll share the results and gather volunteers to pursue the idea that wins the most votes.

Voting is open to All Chatham residents 10 years or older

CLICK HERE TO VOTE  for your favorite

Proposed Ideas 

1. Invasive Species Reduction Campaign to address the toringo crab apple Create a list of meadows overrun by the invasive Toringo Crab Apple. Create a community task force to remove it  -with landowners' approval and participation-  from fallow meadows ranked by priority. Have participating landowners place remediated land in some form of conservation easement. 

2. Create more public trails to interconnect our dirt roads. Chatham has an extensive network of trails on private land that are generally off-limits to the public. It would be a great benefit for recreational activity if we could open some of these trails to more public access. Linking these trails together via interconnected gravel roads would create a great public resource for walkers, bikers, horseback riders and runners alike.

3. Widen the shoulder for a bike path on Rock City Road and reduce the speed limit. Speeding on Rock City Road makes it dangerous for biking and walking. Reduce speed to 35 and add bike paths.

4. A local task force to support Chatham’s immigrant farm workers Farming and food manufacturing is environmental stewardship. Farming requires a skilled labor force. Friends and neighbors are under attack through illegal searches, seizures, sequestration, detentions and deportations. These are our allies in the future of regenerative, economically equitable, viable agriculture. Part of our climate adaption and carbon sequestration strategy needs to be improving local, state and federal protection of our immigrant workforce. Advocate to pass the NY for Act, to limit the use of state resources and prevent state and local law enforcement from colluding with ICE in their federal immigration mandate.

5. Promote solar energy with homeowners, schools, local businesses and other stakeholders. 

 A community drive to promote solar energy locally.  Provide residents and businesses with the information needed to harness the sun for their electricity, rather than fossil fuels. Embrace solar--when and if possible, based on local conditions--to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut our energy costs, and be an example of 'change from within' in small towns.

6. Survey the schools to find out how the community can be more supportive and involved. Specifically around promoting energy efficiency and Future Farmers of America type programs.

7. Collect data and improve water quality. A dedicated task force to collect data on water quality and suggest solutions. Possible protections: buffers and enforced "no build" zones in stream, wetland, and lake corridors. Tighten the building code. Several new homes have been constructed in the floodplain of creeks. Grandfathered construction close to surface water impacts the water table, and should be monitored for septic and other pollutants from run-off. Most parts of the country do not have clean or adequate water to support their populations. We are blessed with abundance, let's protect it.

8.Community swimming pool and playground upgrade at Crellin Park (or other location TBD)

9. Create a public space to talk about environmental issues and ways we could protect our town and its beauty together. Create a public space/venue/opportunity to talk together, as a community, about environmental issues and ways to protect our town and its beauty. The Town Board is not serving well in this capacity, and there is inadequate transparency about their decisions.

10. Create a road map for local food security. Map out what it will take to be food secure/independent to feed ourselves in Chatham.

11. Create more local signage to slow traffic Develop attractive small signs that remind motorists to slow when passing horses and pedestrians - post on dirt roads.

12. Create a plan to address potential data centers I'd like a discussion or taskforce to address potential data centers so the community is prepared for handling that if one is proposed.

13. Expand the Rail Trail in Chatham.  I would like to see the rail trails expanded in Chatham. There is a great unused line from the village up through Old Chatham that could be improved and would be a great place to bike or walk.

14. Get a grant to Remove invasives at Crellin Park and dig out Smith Pond- it's filled with silt.

15. Encourage hunting and fishing in Chatham  Initiate a Town-wide easement type plan to encourage landowners to allow hunting and fishing. This might include creative language to limit land owner liability.

16. Improve connecting farmers to land Accelerate getting food growers looking for land connected to land. Figure out how to bring back or encourage more farming and have the farmers be very happy with their situation.

17. Improve the farmers markets and promote community gardens Form a new organization perhaps. Maybe a nexus with CSA pickups. Make it easier for sellers to participate. More promo and communication online. More outreach and mentoring of future producers. Have tailgate sales to complement. More community gardens in more locations would also be cool.

18. Launch a local campaign to eliminate herbicide application on State Roads in Chatham Campaign to encourage the state use non-toxic means to manage plant growth on road shoulders.

19. Adopt Local Tree Bylaws for street trees Impose a 'no street tree cutting without permit' ordinance…like Woods Hole Massachusetts https://www.mass.gov/doc/tree-bylaw-and-ordinance-guide/download

20. Map areas of ecological significance in the town.

21. Develop more parking in downtown Chatham. Improve shopping access to support local businesses

22. Pave or gravel some dirt roads that become a hazard when muddy by preventing emergency vehicles from getting through. As an example, this happened at the bottom of Pitt Hall Road earlier this year and restricted access to all homes and buildings on it and Hunt Club Road.

23. Promote Biochar Production Have a mobile biochar unit that can wheel to farms and homes, so people can pyrolyze their wood waste.  Biochar can be applied on fields as a soil amendment. There are potential carbon credits earned via Carbon Future, who already toured Chatham and are looking to do a project here.

24. Put road bumps or speed humps on cut through streets and avenues

25. Reopen Spangler Bridge as a trail connector The reopening of Spengler Bridge to pedestrian, cycling & equestrian usage would make whole again Chatham’s unique network of scenic dirt roads and save an important piece of Chatham’s history at the same time. Reopening the bridge was called out as a strong desire of the respondents in our recent Comprehensive Survey.

26. Task Force to Push for solar on big buildings like Sonoco Crellin and Price Chopper.  I think there should be more push for solar on big buildings as an alternative solar farms.  I disagree with solar farms. I believe they destroy farm land and habitat.

27. Repair the High Bridge Road spring box. There is an active spring on High Bridge Road that to my knowledge is the only one of its kind in the town. The spring box - which keeps the spring water viable, is old and deteriorating. It would be great if we could work to find funding and expertise to repair the springbox and keep this resource viable for future generations.

CLICK HERE YO VOTE for your favorite

The Chatham Voices  Process

Public Forums: Every resident has the opportunity to share their thoughts and propose a local project. Projects must be “actionable” and local. 

Propose: Round 1 Projects Ideas were collected October 2025-January 2026

    ( Click Here to propose a new project idea for the community.)

 https://forms.gle/6XvhXLoC8Jv4cjQc8  

The Ballot: All proposed projects will be placed on a community ballot and mailed to homes in Chatham.

The Community Vote: Any Chatham resident 10 years or older will be eligible to vote.  Residents can vote by mailing their ballots, in person at the North Chatham Library or by voting online. CLICK HERE YO VOTE for your favorite        Voting closes May 15, 2026

Take action: We will publicize the results of the vote and work with volunteers to implement the projects that receive the most votes! 

What Neighbors had to Say - Survey Results

What People said they loved about living in Chatham? 

Its rural character and strong sense of community

The Natural Environment

My neighbors, the countryside.

Lovely village with old houses and farms and wide open spaces

Rural open space, community

The beautiful vistas, rolling hills, abundance of nature

The sense of community, and small town daily life, while being surrounded with beautiful countryside.

Rural character, beautiful views, cultural richness, tolerant attitude

Beautiful vista's, wildlife, birds, forests

Simplicity and beauty

The rural beauty, peaceful vistas of rolling green hills, open farmland, small down-town

The incredible countryside and culturally alive community

Family connection

The rural setting and the four seasons

The community

Rural landscape; low density; places to fish, hunt and walk, Crellin Park

ruralness

Rural environment

The people, the rural atmosphere, the village of Chatham

the woods, nature, small community, no traffic, animals in the woods

great people, rural environment, small community where you can make a difference to it, nice mix of locals and new residence

The scenic beauty and the people

I love the natural beauty and countryside coupled with a vibrant arts community in Columbia county: PS 21, Columbia County film festival, Hudson Jazz festival etc.

Not much right now

Rural beauty, quiet, Dirt Roads, Flora and Fauna

Small village near coffee shops, food shops and The Crandell

I love the sense of community. Living in the village, I have good neighbors, ease of walking to Main Stree and the fair grounds, Crellin Park, PS 21, the Crandell.

small, rural, recreational opportunities,enough people that care about the issues I care about

I think I technically live in Ghent so my opinion may not count. Just moved here and overwhelmed by how friendly people are . I love all the walking trails maintained by the Columbia County land trusts. I love the town and the new movie theater!

Community

We are lucky to have access to lots of nature! Quaint town with all the conveniences (great food, local produce, movies, shops) Dirt Roads to run and ride on

Beautiful rural country w/ rich history; working small farms; proximity to Berkshires cultural opportunities; mix of people. It's gotten a little too 'citified' lately....

Small community, rural character, landscape

It is quiet and safe

Good neigbors

No natural disasters, some nice people.

It's so peaceful.

Being close to our grandson in Valatie

Access to nature, recreation trails, quiet dirt roads, bucolic scenery,

Quiet town that didn’t have huge developments and stores yet.

Farming in a place where the demographic is changing to reflect a growing diversity of working class people

Farming in a place where the demographic is changing to reflect a growing diversity of working class people

The rolling rural landscape and the historic housing stock

Amazing natural beauty, friendly neighbors, rural and small town feeling (people seem to know each other, and also from the Library's and MBCC). Love that the Town has a lot of sustainability programs already underway.

Concerns around pollution 

8. Are there any pollution issues that you know about and would like to see get cleaned up in our town? 

Nitrogen and Phosphorus in our waterways 

I'm curious about water quality, including surface and ground water

Lower speed limit

None.

Lifestyle pollution, elements that change the living climate for the rest of us

I wish our dairy farmers used more innovative methane capture practices

This is a relatively small one, all things considered, but I hate to see trash thrown all along our roadways. I am also always concerned by the amount of trash that gets thrown out, and the lack of local involvement in recycling/reuse.

unknown- old dye plant buildings on 295? 

Superfund-affected areas such as PCBs in Valatiekill - road runoff and too much nitrogen from fertilizers

The Stoneykill creek, Queechy Lake, all farming that uses Roundup

Lots of solar panels been put in fields. get rid of those

Limit the use of meercat and “rodent” sprays/chemicals that pollute our well water. 

Ban insecticides like roundup. 

Septic tank seepage and chemical runoff from homeowners who are unaware of what they are doing.

Litter on side of road sometimes has to be picked up

The shaker museum 

From time time I smell sewer odor 

Run down non-occupied houses

Road Side trash 

Roadway trash

Don't know of any

Garbage thrown from vehicles

Ideas around how we can protect against flooding and/or how to handle storm damage more efficiently? 

We need to keep buildings and infrastructure out of our riparian corridors and wetlands

Leave the greenery. I have a funny story about this specifically, it's the trees and bushes and grassy areas that mitigate this. LEAVE IT ALONE. Road crews need to stop removing vegetation form roadsides. Wooded areas need to be maintained with older wood being taken out so new growth can happen. All these old trees are going to lose branches. It's just something we have to deal with in our type of environment. NYSEG needs to anticipate and do a better job when there is a problem.

bury power lines. In lieu of that, be more proactive about tree trimming.

I wish I knew more about how other communities are responding to and preparing for storms.

Engineering controls

Keep the ditches and the stream debris clean. Trim and remove trees as needed.

less stripping of land to put in solar arrays

Electric service could be improved to lessen outages

native plants along potential floodways 

Have a number to call or text to report. I checked and I can call the highway department

Remove invasive plants 

Don’t defund FEMA!

Tree maintenance and strengthen soil in flood sounds 

get expert advice on water/flood management; let beavers help

More culvert repair

Support the development of Riparian zones near flood creeks and streams - State programs assisting property owners with funds and technical assistance on planting trees along creeks and flood zones.

Support the development of Riparian zones near flood creeks and streams - State programs assisting property owners with funds and technical assistance on planting trees along creeks and flood zones.

zoning so that building in flood planes is prohibited makes sense, safe guarding natural landscapes and limiting large paved areas, are there zoning restrictions on lots that limit impermeable area per acre?

Neighborhood planning/resource groups

Do you believe climate change is an issue individuals can have an impact on? What do you think are the best two things that you and/or the community can do about it? 

Add residential solar

Yes, at the individual level we can change our perspective to recognize that humans are a part of the natural world and respect all beings.

It’s understandable that many people don’t know or don’t want to know about climate change. So stop preaching and start teaching, in new ways that are imaginative, compassionate and understand. We’re all on the same planet, all in the same boat, and no one has all the answers. 

An individual, living a normal daily life, has a very limited ability to have an impact upon climate change.

No the earth is going to earth. it's pridefully naive to think we're going to change any of that. That being said, we need to be good stewards of what we have, but not because of any climate issues -- that's all a political tool of the crypto-communists.

Install solar and heat pumps

maximize energy efficiency of residences, convert to greenest forms of power/heat, elect officials who prioritize climate issues.

It seems important to acknowledge it, and prepare for it, as a community.

Yes, climate change is real and we all can attempt to promote tiny changes to make larger impact. Many individual opportunities

YES! THE MOST IMPORTANT IS TO LIVE IT - Drive electric or hybrid, use induction and electric cooking appliances, install solar. People who care have to walk the walk!!

Yes. Electric/hybrid vehicles switch to solar or geothermal.

yes, voice support via contacting reps

Be aware of our carbon footprint

Solar for electricity whether individual or community, EVs, geothermal - We have geothermal heat, use community solar, and own an EV

Promote fossil fuel-free alternatives

Recycle and stop Roundup use in all situations

No. NY is trying to be a "Nation Leader" in this. NY is small compared to the world. The climate initiatives of NY are nothing more than a political plot to buy the Green Vote.

If NY stopped all carbon emissions this minute the rest of the world would go on making a mess. It is like taking a teaspoon and attempting to drain the ocean.

All NY is doing is making is impossible to live here. The current climate mandates in NY cannot be met by the existing grid.

With electric supply rates ever increasing the whole climate initiative is financially unsustainable. Chatham is like a grain of sand on the beach in this. We will be swept by the tide and many of us will need to leave the Town and The State.

I think the climate will change regardless of what humans do. Enjoy life to the fullest and adjust your life accordingly. EV's do not work for me personally but I do see a market for them. Not a fan of it being forced on people. If it truly was a better product then it would not have to be force upon people. Same with wind/solar. Nuclear is the way to go at the moment, but we need to invest in the grid, more so than what is powering the grid. That will work its self out between newer nuclear technologies or hydrogen fuel cells and the grid needs to be ready for when those things happen imo.

Climate change is such a huge issue.yes, we can stop cutting trees

It needs to be a community priority, it is hard for one person to make the effort alone. We should have better recycling and community solar.

We can do things that make our town more self-reliant.

electric cars, support politicians that support climate change mitigation

I do not believe the town cannot have an impact on climate change. The macro political and economic forces driving it are not something the town can offset. Where the town can have an impact is on climate resilience and preparation.

No-I’m not a big climate change alarmist but recycling (if I sees the community actually does more than just have residents go through the motion of sporting) and ensuring wetlands and forests and farmland remaining that way -without unwanted suburban housing developments popping up on once pristine meadows, forests and farmland 

Reduce tourism, plant your own garden

Save Trees, Keep it Rural

convert to renewable energy systems (not wood or biofuels), drive electric vehicles

Awareness of how we heat our home

Yes.Identify why climate deniers hold that position and develop strategies to convert them to climate believers

Composting and recycling should be free. This is how it was in the city I just moved . Chatham should work towards a zero waste solution 

Waste management (recyclables) and electric car recharging stations-more of them

Yes. Mind my lifestyle/consumption/choices. Show people how to make good choices - like heat pumps, weatherization, community solar, smart utility supplier choices

Yes. Support green technology - solar, heat pumps and have green building codes

Recycle. Be knowledgeable about pesticides.

Love the planet

Invest in affordable energy, maintain more green space by limiting overdevelopment of land. 

Be mindful of carbon footprint. Transitioning to more rkecttic

I do- I disagree with solar farms I believe they destroy farm land and habitat. 

Yes. 1. Advocate for legislation at the state and federal level that creates economic solutions for carbon sequestration and limits/ taxes the fossil fuel industry to make fossil fuel extraction and use not profitable. 2. Decentralized Medium scale local farming or support small and medium scale farming and brands, to help grow regional regenerative and economically viable ag industry and economy.

Yes. 1. Advocate for legislation at the state and federal level that creates economic solutions for carbon sequestration and limits/ taxes the fossil fuel industry to make fossil fuel extraction and use not profitable. 2. Decentralized Medium scale local farming or support small and medium scale farming and brands, to help grow regional regenerative and economically viable ag industry and economy.

support policies that encourage rooftop solar energy, encourage electric cars, help parents raise children with an appreciation for nature, fun outside, art, reading, hiking, hunting (public programming and support for nonprofits that do this), support laws that safeguard land that encourages these pursuits

Yes, so many things. Combining both advocacy for browser change (corporations, govt) with also looking at local solutions and personal lifestyle.

Other Comments Concerns and Ideas 

We need to preserve conservation lands, farmland, work to make sure it's not polluted but also create affordable housing

Preserving the rural quality means no large development so zoning is the only way to stop that

My family moved to chatham to enjoy its natural beauty: the farmland, forests ponds etc I am not keen on “affordable” housing ventures -the draw to Chatham is not that it s a suburb of Albany or that it’s chock a block full of “affordable” (translation: low income)  multi unit housing structures (like the ones in Hudson, which created a host of other problems for that area. People come here for the natural beauty: attract a hotelier or investor  who wants to build a beautiful boutique hotel like the Maker -chatham will then find restaurants boutiques etc organically pop up to support the tourism industry -the shaker museum could be a draw-promote the vibrant arts community like Ps 21 and the sheer beauty of the place. Do. Pt destroy it with industries like energy plants or dual housing units. 

Tourism is not the answer! It is what is creating the issues we are having locally.  Our town has been sold and everything being done at this point is just theater.

Farming and food manufacturing is part of my environmental stewardship. In order to do this you need skilled people as part of your labor force. Currently friends and neighbors working in this climate adaption industry are under attack through illegal searches, seizures, sequestration, detentions and deportations. Members of the immigrant community are allies and the future of regenerative and economically equitable and viable agriculture. As part of a climate adaption and carbon sequestration strategy we need to be working on local, state and federal immigration issues in order to see a way forward in our work of community and environmental stewardship. I have plenty of ideas, but for starters we must pass the NY for Act during the winter 2026 legislative session, which will limit the use of state resources and prevent state and local law enforcement from colluding with ICE in their federal immigration mandate.

I am concerned about the proliferation of the invasive chinese apple tree.  Land owners need to be required to remove it and should receive help.  I am strongly in favor of increasing density in villages and developing a local public transportation system.  Protecting open lands and agricultural lands should be a priority.  

I'd like to know more about the water quality in our community and have wondered about our surface water (Kills and Creeks) Also how much are septic systems impacting them and places like Kinderhook Lake. What's going on?

I am charged for village water, and while outdoor water (for watering) should not be part of those charges, the village does not make it easy to distinguish those water uses.

YES!! Our basement floods often!  And sometimes a foot. We need to find funding to fix our basement (our house was built in 1789.) Additionally, the town / County Route 9, still has asphalt that guides floodwaters to dump into our front yard as in the past our front yard was considered the flood plain for New Concord. We need the asphalt rerouted. 

I have a well and animals. Droughts  and more houses being built will put a stress on my well.

Thoughts On Biodiversity 

They are sufficient, A lot of species have returned since i was a child. I just saw a bald eagle flying over the village. The woods are full of owls. Deer populations are recovering. I think since the post war boom ended, it's recovered, but it's going to fall again if we start going to far with renewables (so-called) and housing, the arts, whatever...

More work needs to be done, always on going/ Ridge lines need protection

More work needs to be done, people don't understand what's happening with invasive species. 

Conversation Recap- Highlights from our community conversations 

Where is the center of Chatham? 

Discussion around Community and the need for more community centers. -   where is the place for everybody where everybody could meet ?

Food security and envisioning what it would take to be food secure or independent and feed ourselves in Chatham. 

Dissuasion around how to better accelerate getting food growers looking for land connected to land and

figure out how to bring back or encourage more farming and have the farmers be very happy with their situation.

Renewable Energy

Changing the messaging around climate change-Focusing more on community enrichment and climate resiliency, as the better way to address climate change and environmental issues.  

The inaccessibility of some “Climate solutions”  or the perception that climate solutions -seem out of reach for some individuals. 

Vented Frustrations about the state spraying herbicides along Route 66, and the lack of local control. The frustration for individuals who are  trying to do everything they can to avoid herbicides , grow gardens to promote pollinators and promote pollinator habitat only to have the state spay aggressively right by their house. We discussed that the application of herbicides was especially aggressive this year. A desire to address this issue so that we don’t have our state roads sprayed. 

Being more connected and involved in helping the local school systems. 

Discussion how it takes a willingness on the part of old timers and new comers and people with different ways or ideas to listen to each other and be heard. 

It was noted that Civic institutions in North Chatham like the library, the historical society and the post office help to better  integrate new residents into the community. 

A need to foster entrepreneurship. 

Talked about how some of the shops and the restaurants that we have in the village are not accessible or don’t serve everyone-tend to cater to a very specific market/demographic.-Which doesn't mean they are not open to everybody, but there was an acknowledgment that a whole sector in the community doesn't even feel comfortable or doesn't go to the village. 

About  

Funding Futures Press Release

RELEASE: July 22, 2025
CONTACT: Paige Ruane paige@climateactionhv.org, 917-548-5135

Co-Founder, Partners for Climate Action

Partners for Climate Action Announces Six “Funding Futures Fellows”

HUDSON, NY: Partners for Climate Action (PCA), a local nonprofit, has announced six accepted applications to a new training and grant program, “Funding Futures: Together We Decide:”
Kate Butler of Chatham, Anya Bonanno of Philmont/Claverack, Chris Wilson of Millbrook/Washington, Olga Anderson of Highlands, Heather Eckardt of Rochester, and LisaMarie Hintze of Woodbury.

Funding Futures will provide technical assistance and funding for selected applicants to facilitate environmentally-focused community listening campaigns in their towns. The process will result in each community coming to a consensus on priorities and establishing reliable funding streams to safeguard their natural features, which provide the foundation for economic prosperity and quality of life in these Hudson Valley towns. The goal is to keep communities and ecosystems healthy and build resiliency. The six communities will receive grants of up to $22,000 each to conduct outreach and host events over a 1- year period.

“We love that this grant is coming just at the time that The Town of Highlands is rebuilding after a devastating flood in 2023,” explained Olga Anderson.” We are committed to hearing from everyone who lives here and has a stake in the future of this community as to the best way to build a more resilient and sustainable future.”

PCA supports ecological health and climate action across six counties in the Hudson River bioregion: Columbia, Greene, Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam, or Orange county. Paige Ruane and Vanessa Bertozzi, co- leaders of the Funding Futures project at PCA, explained that the idea for the grant sprang from a desire to accelerate environmental protection efforts in Hudson Valley towns through community building. “Technology, the pandemic, and a lack of traditional gathering spaces have eroded the social fabric. Our society has lost muscle memory for how to have community conversations. People feel disconnected from each other and from nature,” said Bertozzi. Noting the divisiveness of national politics, Ruane emphasized, “We want this program to focus on local needs, the power of knowing our neighbors, and understanding what we commonly value about our shared places.”

The selected applications each demonstrated a thoughtful approach to engaging with their communities in a nonpartisan way, with an emphasis on listening. The six Funding Futures Fellows will act as point people, leading the process in each of their own towns. “These are exceptional folks, each with a deep dedication to their communities and a sense of curiosity and concern for what the futures of their places hold,” said Bertozzi. “We look forward to supporting them with expert speakers, 1-on-1 consulting, and a peer cohort to lean on.”

Interested parties are encouraged to sign up for PCA’s newsletter at www.climateactionhv.org. Some of the expert guest speaker Zooms will be open to the public.

About Partners for Climate Action

Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley is dedicated to cultivating and supporting ecological leadership within the bioregion of the Hudson River watershed. We strategically place resources that help to repair our natural systems, address the climate crisis, and usher in a more cooperative and resilient future.

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