Donal Collins Town of Chatham Supervisor

My wholehearted congratulations to the Town of Chatham's Invasive Species Awareness Committee on being awarded $41,250 to further tackle invasive species in our parklands.

Thank you to the the DEC for deeming our project worthy, the Committee for all of its efforts in the application and future implementation, and Cornell Cooperative Extension and Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District for their support.

Attention Firewood Users in the Town of Chatham

We will be giving away free firewood for the NEXT winter burning season this evening (3/31 from 5:30-7:00pm) and tomorrow morning (4/01 from 9-11am) at Crellin Park adjacent to the Community Garden. This is wood for Town of Chatham residents (including Village) and Town employees truly in need of heating assistance and not meant for outdoor ambiance. It is not seasoned and is not for immediate use. Please take what you need and leave some for others.

And now the inevitable legalese:
Those who remove firewood do so agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Town, its officers, agents, donors and employees, from and against any and all claims, suits,
liabilities, costs, damages and expenses arising out of or in connection with the firewood giveaway program.

My heartfelt thanks to our crew of volunteers who helped cut and split the recently culled trees:
****Mike West, Tim Mackerer, Evan Young, Matt Pirrone and Jay Rippel****

Stay Warm, Chatham.

Donal

Fantastic news, Everyone.

The Recharge and Renew Respite Program will officially open its doors on Friday, February 20th. After many months of dedicated effort and thoughtful planning, we’re ready to offer vital support to caregivers in Northern Columbia County.

Please call the OFA office at 518-828-4258 and ask for Intake to learn more and register.

My sincerest thanks to all involved, including but not limited to Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, Canaan Supervisor Brenda Adams, OFA Director Nina Benvenuto and Michele Kraham and the hosts of the activities at St. James Church and the Canaan Congregational Church.

Please help spread the word on this fantastic resource for caregivers, and hopefully this can lead to other openings in Columbia County.

With Love,

Donal

Hello Everyone,

First and foremost my humble thanks to all of those who have come forward to donate to food pantries and the benevolent organizations that provide for those in need, especially during the government shutdown and interruption to SNAP. I witnessed an extraordinary effort in the communities in Columbia County to meet this emergency.

On another note, prior to the shutdown, Chatham had begun the process of installing a Community Refrigerator for 24 hour access to those in need. Partnering with the Columbia Kitchen for prepared meals and local agriculture (Dogwood Farms, the Berry Farm, Staron Farm and Rowe-Lant Farms for starters), the refrigerator is stocked and online.

If you aware of anyone in need, please let them know about this resource. If you are aware of anyone home-bound, please let me know ([email protected]).

See the attached PSA and donation guidelines, and thank you.

With Love,

Donal

Hello Everyone,

Apologies, this should have gone out in parallel to the Town's posting:

Many of you may be aware that the current federal government shutdown was going to directly result in the denial of SNAP benefits to eligible citizens. This would affect roughly 6,000 Columbia County residents and over 3,000 families. Although federal judges have ordered the government to continue the SNAP benefit payments, there will be a delay in the transfer of funds and this may not fully resolve the reliability of the benefit.

Columbia County and its extraordinary partners in food security have mobilized to greatly expand opportunities County-wide to receive and donate food and funds for this emergency effort. Please look to the Columbia County Home page for updates on various links to helpful materials:

https://www.columbiacountyny.com

Also see the attached public service announcement (SNAPflyer.png) with QR codes and website links, press release and the Food Resources locator for guidance and support within our communities.

The Town of Chatham will be collecting canned and non-perishable food items at our Town Hall (488 State Route 295) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (morning) to augment the local food bank. Please limit this to items with viable expiration dates. Personal hygiene products will also be accepted.

Special thanks to the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, Columbia Recovery Kitchen, Columbia Opportunities, Spark of Hudson, Salvation Army, the Regional Food Bank, the Chatham Food Pantry and all of its neighboring pantries, Columbia County Chairman Matt Murell and Columbia County Social Services Commissioner Bob Gibson.

Please let us know if you are aware of anyone in need that may be having difficulties securing these vital resources.

With Love,

Donal

Truly a beautiful day in Chatham.

If you would like to take a ride and learn more of what's happening in the Town, please join us at the Tri-Village Fire House (111 County Route 13) at 4pm today for the Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board's open house on the Town of Chatham's farmland preservation mechanisms and partnerships.

Special thanks in advance to Mary Gail Biebel and her Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board, Troy Weldy and the Columbia Land Conservancy, Carli Fraccaroli and Scenic Hudson and Mike Sweeton from the Orange County Land Trust.

As always huge thanks to the Tri-Village Fire Company for providing the venue.

Donal

If you or anyone you know has cans and bottles of paints, oils, old gas, antifreeze and more make sure to take advantage of tomorrow's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day sponsored by Columbia County Solid Waste. 8am-12pm 50 Grandinetti Drive in Ghent.

This is a fantastic event for County residents, free of charge and you don't even have to exit your vehicle.

Thank you Wendy Madsen and Staff in advance for this extraordinary effort.

I know that there is plenty to do out there on these beautiful weekends but if you are taking a ride through northern Columbia County this afternoon please stop and see Columbia County DSS Commissioner Bob Gibson in an in-depth discussion about the federal and state cuts that could affect you, your family and your neighbors.

3pm at the New Lebanon Library (550 State Route 20, Columbia Pike, New Lebanon, NY)

Crellin Park's new pickle ball courts are live, Everyone! Enjoy the "all abilities" courts with deeper backcourts and wide alleys for enhanced accessibility.

I cannot emphasize enough our gratitude to Senator Michelle Hinchey and Staff for the funding support and guidance as we worked through this project.

I also want to proudly recognize Chatham Recreation Director Mike West, Columbia County Youth Director Dan Grandinetti, Landscape Architect Ryan Mackerer and photographer Josh Shaw, local boys selflessly giving back to their communities.

Hello Everyone,
What a lovely Sunday to go to the Chatham Fairgrounds to support the Chatham Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization in their annual Touch-a-Truck fundraiser. See everything from firetrucks to excavation equipment, tractors to old trucks, cranes and more as private and public (thank you Chatham HWY Superintendent James Fetzer) crews bring their equipment to display in honor of such a great event.
If you get stuck behind the young man on the old green tractor, yes: that is its top speed.

See you there,

Donal

Hello Everyone,

If you or someone you know is looking for services, connections, and avenues to fill unmet needs within our Senior communities, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, in partnership with the Columbia County Office for the Aging and Neighbors of Northern Columbia County, is hosting a Senior Resource Fair on Wednesday, July 23rd, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Valatie Village Office (3211 Church Street, Valatie, NY).

This free event is a great opportunity to learn about a wide range of programs and services available to older adults—including support for health and wellness, housing, benefits, and more. Attendees can also enjoy free refreshments, activities, and community connections.

Also make sure to pencil in Columbia County Office of the Aging's Senior Day on September 10th at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. More details will be forthcoming.

Thank you!

Donal

Don't forget to visit the Village of Chatham this Saturday for Summerfest: https://visitchathamny.com/chatham-summerfest/

While there cool off with a hayride from Tim Mackerer down to Crellin Park and the Town's annual Community Picnic for swimming, ice cream, burgers and bluegrass. See you there!

With Love,

Donal