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Author: brigidmcmenamin
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No excuses
UPDATE: Critical Council meeting Monday, March 9, 2026, 7:30 pm, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level. You need not speak.
You’re traveling? Homebound? Chained to the bed frame? No problem!
You can see the meeting LIVE on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82762628332
Before the Mayor & Council plunge ahead with plans to pave over our green, vacant, taxpayer-owned parcel at 58 North Passaic Avenue, right next to Memorial Park behind the Library, they need to GIVE US A FORUM to discuss the pros and cons and alternatives. There is no excuse to do otherwise.
Tell them so! Or at least show them you care about your hometown.
Two easy ways to do that:
- Email the Mayor & Council:
mayorcouncil@chathamborough.org
jstrickland@chathamborough.org
kkoronkiewicz@chathamborough.org
2. Attend or Zoom the next Council meeting: Monday, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:30 pm, either:
In person at Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, by elevator to the upper level, or
Online, from the comfort of your home, by Zoom webinar, details to follow here: https://www.chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/mayor-council-meeting-6-30-executive-7-30-public-meeting-2-1771893000
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The self-fulfilling prophecy
Have you heard that the sacrifice of the taxpayer-owned parcel at 58 North Passaic is a “Done Deal”?
That’s an old trick called a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” Meaning if you can get enough naive people to go around repeating it, it becomes true.
In fact, there is NOTHING requiring our Mayor & Council to pave over the green, Borough taxpayer-owned parcel right next to Memorial Park.
They can just as well house the same four families at another site in town. Maybe repurpose another Borough-owned lot that isn’t vacant, green, or right next to a park.
Or they can acquire a privately-owned parcel for less than most households already spend on coffee or tea.
At the very least, the Mayor & Council should hold a public meeting to discuss alternatives before disposing of that irreplaceable Borough asset.
They are holding such a meeting to discuss options for the privately-owned project that will replace the Cottage Deli. It’s Wednesday Feb 11.
There is NO excuse not to give the same consideration to the permanent disposition of a unique, taxpayer-owned parcel right next to our Central Park.
Why do the Mayor & Council continue to refuse to schedule a public meeting to discuss alternatives to sacrificing taxpayer-owned 58 North Passaic?
Ask them! Here are three easy ways to do it:
- Email:
mayorcouncil@chathamborough.org
jstrickland@chathamborough.org
kkoronkiewicz@chathamborough.org
2. Attend or zoom the next Council meeting: Monday, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:30 pm, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level, or by Zoom, details to follow here: https://www.chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/mayor-council-meeting-6-30-executive-7-30-public-meeting-2-1771893000
3. Ask at the Cottage Deli meeting: Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 at 7:00 pm, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level.
Don’t be naive. Ask.
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Why refuse to consider alternatives?
Why do our Mayor & Council continue to refuse to consider alternatives to paving over the green, Borough taxpayer-owned parcel right next to Memorial Park?
The Mayor & Council have formally promised at least one such public meeting to discuss options for the privately-owned project that will replace the Cottage Deli. It’s Wednesday Feb 11.
There is NO legal reason not to give the same consideration to the permanent disposition of that vacant, green, irreplaceable, Borough taxpayer-owned parcel at 58 North Passaic Avenue.
Why do our Mayor & Council continue to refuse to schedule a public meeting to discuss alternatives to sacrificing the taxpayer—owned parcel at 58 North Passaic?
Ask them! Three easy ways to do it:
- Email:
mayorcouncil@chathamborough.org
jstrickland@chathamborough.org
kkoronkiewicz@chathamborough.org
2. Attend or zoom the next Council meeting: Monday, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:30 pm, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level, or by Zoom, details to follow here: https://www.chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/mayor-council-meeting-6-30-executive-7-30-public-meeting-2-1771893000
3. Ask at the Cottage Deli meeting: Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 at 7:00 pm, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level.
Heard that the sacrifice of our green 58 North Passaic is a “done deal”? That’s a standard trick known as a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” It’s popular because naive people often fall for it.
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Alternatives
Now we know that Chatham CAN meet the state’s affordable housing quota without sacrificing vacant, green 58 North Passaic Avenue, the Borough-owned parcel right next to Memorial Park.
Our Council can simply offer an alternative location, as the Borough’s affordable housing lawyer and planner have explained at more than one public meeting.
No matter where the Council puts those four apartments, four more families of modest means will have an opportunity to live in Chatham Borough.
The only question is whether the Council will heed the growing chorus of residents asking them to properly consider the alternatives before it’s too late.
One way to preserve 58 North Passaic Avenue is to acquire and develop instead a privately-owned property, which is projected to cost most homeowners less than we already spend on coffee or tea.
Another possibility is to repurpose a Borough-owned money pit that’s under-used and costing taxpayers a bundle to maintain.
If it turns out that replacing vacant, green 58 North Passaic Avenue with four apartments and a parking lot really IS our best bet, then so be it.
But there’s no excuse not to consider the alternatives first.
Attend the Monday, Jan. 26 Council meeting, 7:30 pm at Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level.
Too busy, cold, or icy? Zoom that Council meeting at the link shown here:
https://www.chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/mayor-council-meeting-23-1769470200
Email the Mayor & Council and ask:
Can we count on you not to sign a development contract for 58 North Passaic Avenue before giving residents a chance to consider a range of options and formally weigh in at one or more town hall meetings?
mayorcouncil@chathamborough.org
jstrickland@chathamborough.org
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The Latest
Why are our Mayor & Council negotiating yet another Redevelopment contract, when they haven’t even unveiled their plan for the second big Redevelopment project they aim to build on River Road, next to the massive, 245-unit Ivy apartment project?
https://chathamborough.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
Attend the Monday, Jan. 26 Council meeting, 7:30 pm at Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level.
Too busy, cold, or icy? Zoom that Council meeting at the link shown here:
https://www.chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/mayor-council-meeting-23-1769470200
Or simply email the Mayor & Council and ask: Why are you negotiating yet another Redevelopment contract, when you don’t even have a plan for the second big Redevelopment project you aim to build on River Road, next to the massive, 245-unit Ivy apartment project?
mayorcouncil@chathamborough.org bhargrove@chathamborough.org cdempsey@chathamborough.org
jstrickland@chathamborough.org
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Myth: It’s a done deal.
Think it’s too late to save our green, wooded, Borough-owned 58 North Passaic Avenue, right next to home plate at Memorial Park?
Assume that green gem is destined to be paved over for four apartments and a parking lot and nothing can be done about it?
That’s what some would have you believe. But it’s not so.
The Borough’s housing lawyer and planner have confirmed that the Borough can propose an alternative site for that development. We have no reason to think an alternative wouldn’t be accepted.
So, when will the Council consider and discuss alternatives to needlessly sacrificing 58 North Passaic Avenue?
See how the Mayor & Council answer that question at their public meeting this Monday, January 5, 2026, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue.
Please note: This is a public meeting, convened for the benefit of residents and taxpayers. You are the boss. Arrive at your convenience. Use the north entrance. Go left through the door. Take the elevator to the upper level. Enter the double doors at the end of the hall. Sit anywhere. Observe anonymously or participate during the Public Comment period if you prefer. Leave whenever you please.
Really can’t be there? (Working swing? Grounded? Under house arrest?) Zoom the meeting here:
https://www.chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/mayor-council-reorganization-meeting-3
For more details , click here: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/chatham/categories/op-eds/articles/why-would-the-borough-council-want-to-pave-paradise
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Why sacrifice 58 North Passaic Avenue?
Why are our Mayor and Borough Council so determined to pave over and permanently sacrifice the vacant, green, wooded, Borough-owned lot at 58 North Passaic Avenue, right next to Memorial Park?
At the December 8th Council meeting, a member prodded the Borough’s Professional Planner to say she had searched for another place to build affordable housing..
The hired-hand Planner complied, recalling a quest involving various locations that didn’t make the cut for one reason or another.
Only problem is, the Planner’s tale bore NO resemblance to the one she had told the Planning Board last May 7th, when she first outlined the Council’s housing plan.
At that May 7th meeting, when a Planning Board member asked about the process of choosing sites for development, the Planner did not claim to have considered alternatives, as shown in the official video starting at approximately 1:09:29 here:
https://chathamborough.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=368
Here’s the transcript:
Planning Board Member: “Can you just say a couple words about how [indecipherable you or we] ended up with these recommendations for parcels? Were there others that were triaged out? Just how did you decide these – that this was the optimal mix?”
Professional Planner: “Well, so, ah with regards to the 100% project [58 North Passaic Avenue] we knew that the Borough owned the property and we also had a non-profit developer that was interested in developing the property. So that was a nice marriage.”
Residents and taxpayers deserve better. You deserve better.
Tell the Mayor & Council you expect to see options, get answers, and have a meaningful chance to weigh in BEFORE they sign a contract to pave and build on the vacant, green, Borough-owned parcel at 58 North Passaic Avenue, right next to Memorial Park:
mayorcouncil@chathamborough.org. bhargrove@chathamborough.org
cdempsey@chathamborough.org
jmathiasen@chathamborough.org jstrickland@chathamborough.org
kkoronkiewicz@chathamborough.org
khay@chathamborough.org
mgilmore@chathamborough.org
mayor@chathamborough.org
Attend the next Council meeting, which is Monday, January 5, 2026, 7:30 pm at Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue.
Come as you are, whenever’s convenient. You’ll find plenty of parking. Enter on the north side of the building. Take the elevator to the upper level. Use the big doors at the end of the hall. Make yourself comfortable. Speaking is optional. Leave when you please.
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Is it a dream… or a dud?
The public meeting starts 7:30 pm TONIGHT, Monday, December 8th, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue. (Take the elevator to the upper level.)
Have our Mayor & Borough Council found a good way to resolve the legal challenges to Chatham’s 6/18/25 Master Plan amendment for affordable housing?
A possible settlement is on their agenda for the December 8th Council meeting, and the Council may even VOTE on it during the public session, which starts 7:30 pm TONIGHT at Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue.
Will our Mayor & Council do it right this time?
Will they seize the chance to re-think the Master Plan amendment they crafted behind closed doors last Spring?
Will they consider alternatives to sacrificing the vacant, green, Borough-owned lot at 58 North Passaic, next to Memorial Park?This time, will they let residents help identify better sites for 4 new affordable apartments?
Find out.
The public meeting starts 7:30 pm, Monday, December 8th, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue. Take the elevator to the upper level.
Being there counts. Everything else is optional.
Come as you are. Arrive when you can. Speak only if you please. Leave early if you like.
Grounded? Under house arrest? Just plain too lazy & cold to go anywhere? Zoom here:
