Yes, today:
Can that rescue arrive in time to save this little town?
Category: Overdeveloment
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Now’s your chance
You know our Mayor & Council often turn a deaf ear to the residents who elected them.
Sometimes they have to listen to you. Now for instance.
With a strong candidate like David Andeasen challenging the Party machine in the June 2nd primary, our Mayor & Council cannot ignore your views on the two big issues facing them:
- To meet a July 1 deadline, the Council needs to vet a new Redevelopment Plan for River Road by its June 8th meeting. The proposed Plan would allow up to 720 MORE apartments on River Road, at least 64% more than allowed under current zoning. https://chathamchoice.org/2026/04/another-project-on-river-road/
- Only after that is resolved will the court issue a Certificate of Compliance. As such, the Mayor & Council have plenty of time to hold a public forum to explain their plan to develop the green, taxpayer-owned parcel at 58 North Passaic, next to Memorial Park, versus buying an alternative site, before hiring a contractor to pave over 80% of that green gem. https://chathamchoice.org/2026/03/just-the-facts/
Wondering why the Council hasn’t already laid out the facts about its plan for 58 North Passaic Avenue – at least the construction costs?
Why would the Mayor & Council even consider allowing 720 new apartments on River Road when it’s already flooded with cars?
Wouldn’t a Redeveloper inevitably get a PILOT property tax break at the expense of the rest of us?
What could possibly go wrong? https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/02/how-22m-judgment-against-cle-elum-pushed-city-bankruptcy/
How can you weigh in on the big issues – or even just get answers to simple questions?
- email the Mayor & Council at the addresses shown here: https://chathamchoice.org/2026/03/should-residents-have-a-voice-in-the-future-of-chatham/
- attend public Council meetings on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday May 26, 2026, 7:30 pm, at Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level. (Speaking is optional.)
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Wait. Another big apartment project on River Road?
UPDATE: The 4/14/26 meeting video is now available here: https://chathamborough.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=488
How many new apartments will be allowed? More than allowed under existing zoning rules?
Don’t expect answers from the person pushing that plan.
Instead, she suggests reviewing the April 14, 2026 presentation. But where is the video? Not in the usual spot on the Borough website:
(See update above.)
Screenshot Maybe some residents can spare the time necessary to hunt for clues in her dense, 69-page proposal:
But we all know what we hold dear.
Preamble to the US Constitution, (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) And we can all consider this key point:
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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
