Meet Donal, Vance and Tim

Learn more about Donal, Vance and Tim and what they stand for.

These amazing men, who have gained so much from growing up and living in our community, want to continue giving back to help Chatham be a town that serves everyone, not just a select few.

"Chatham For All" describes their philosophy of the importance of maintaining a vibrant community—young families, elderly, locals who have lived here for generations, second homeowners, and our new residents, whether they're from Tennessee or New York City.

Many politicians use catch phrases and are all talk, but these guys actually walk the walk. They'll roll up their sleeves and literally grab a shovel, chainsaw, or jump on a tractor, for any neighbor in need.

Best of all, they are humble and trustworthy.

They aren't "politicians"... they are Chatham.

Please read our other posts so you can listen to our candidates in their own words.

Some of the Many Important Accomplishments of Donal's Current Administration:

Improving the financial health of the town while limiting tax increases.
Increased public outreach through expanded communication and new events.
Increased public engagement with volunteerism and multiple public steering committees.
Community-wide, bipartisan involvement in composing the updated Comprehensive Plan (the first update since 2009).
Increasing/securing tax breaks for firefighters, seniors, low income and disabled residents.
Multiple infrastructure and park improvements.
Increased broadband coverage town wide.
Support Climate Smart initiatives and helped secure Chatham NYSERDA Bronze status.

With Your Support We Can Continue Working on These Important Issues:

Preserving Chatham's agricultural lands and rural character.
Protecting working farms.
Completion of contemporary and appropriate land use laws based on our updated Comprehensive Plan. (ZONING UPDATE IS NEXT—We need their common-sense approach.)
Continue to explore creative housing solutions.
Reducing the town's carbon footprint and helping our residents do the same.
Infrastructure additions to include Town Hall expansion, highway garage expansion, and the exploration of a community center.
Continue to improve cellular and broadband coverage.

*****

Donal Collins, Town of Chatham Supervisor - Re-Elect

As the current Town Supervisor, Donal Collins is a member of the town's Finance and Planning Committee, the Climate Smart Action Task Force, the Park and Recreation Committee, Chatham Collective Bargaining Team, and the Chatham Agricultural Partnership.

As a part of the County Board of Supervisors, Donal is chairman of the Columbia County Health and Human Services Committee, a member of the Soil and Water Conservation District, the Board of Health, the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board and Climate Smart Action Task Force, council member on the Columbia County Office of the Aging Advisory Council's Occupancy Charge Subcommittee, a member of the county Collective Bargaining Team, and a member of the Columbia County "Think Differently" Autism Spectrum Awareness Rollout Group.

Donal graduated from Chatham Central Schools and has both a masters and bachelor of science degrees in mechanical engineering from Tulane University, and is the sole proprietor of Collins Farm.

In his own words ...

"It has been a distinct honor to have served the Town of Chatham over the last four years. I look forward to another term working with residents and our dedicated staff to maintain, improve and expand town services. Increasing accessibility and participation in local matters that are inclusive for all residents will continue to be a primary concern. Priorities will continue to include cultivation of rental, starter home and senior housing, expanded youth and senior recreation; expansion of community events; farmland protection and local farm support through the Community Preservation Plan and outreach events. We will continue to address climate adaptation strategies for municipal infrastructure while engaging the public in methods of reducing our carbon footprint. We will diligently be looking to fund these initiatives through state, federal and private grants to minimize taxes and maintain the robust financial standing that we enjoy today. Thank you for your support, Chatham."

Vance Pitkin for Town Council - Re-Elect

Vance Pitkin was elected to the Town Board in 2019 and was appointed Deputy Supervisor. He serves as co-chair of the Chatham's Parks and Recreation Committee and co-chair of the town's Climate Smart Committee.

Vance owns Pitkin Co. Refinishers—with over 50 years experience in restoring furniture to its glory. Vance has been a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years, with the last three years as an EMT with Chatham Rescue. Currently, he's the chair of the Town of Chatham Republican Party.

In his own words ...

"I have been a resident of Columbia County and a small business owner for more than 30 years and have been honored to serve on the Chatham Town Board for the past four years. I am proud of the accomplishments we have made, working together for the benefit of the residents of our beautiful and diverse town. Coordination with Supervisor Collins and my fellow board members, we have secured tax breaks for firefighters and the disabled, made many improvements at Crellin Park and expanded communications, to name a few. Going forward, some of the important issues we plan to continue addressing include updating Land Use Laws, finding creative solutions to affordable housing and improving broadband and cell service."

Tim Mackerer for Town Council

Tim Mackerer has been self-employed as a landscape contractor for 35 years, and is a native East Chatham resident. A graduate of Chatham Central School, Tim has his bachelor of science degree from UMASS Amherst. His wife, Kelly, is also a graduate of Chatham Central School, as are their two children.

In his own words ...

I am a lifelong resident of the Town of Chatham and currently the sixth generation in my family to own the Rowe-Lant farm in East Chatham. I have been active in serving my community and continue to do so by serving on four town committees. I have worked on the Comprehensive Plan Update and Review Committee for the past three and a half years, and the town's Housing Committee since its inception. Additionally, I serve as co-chair of the Park and Recreation Committee, and I am a member of the newly formed Invasive Species Awareness committee. A great concern that I have for the area is the lack of housing that is affordable for young people and seniors. A balance needs to be achieved so that we can retain the rural character of the town but still offer more affordable housing options. This is important to maintain a diverse and vibrant community."

If you're still on the fence of who is the most qualified out of the two Town Supervisor candidates, let us help you ...

Donal's leadership has turned the Chatham Town Board from one that was combative with the public to one that has been highly function, transparent and accomplished—even during a global pandemic!

Here's a pretty comprehensive list of everything they've done and even a few peeks at what they will continue working on in 2024, after he's re-elected (so, go vote!!!).

Donal Collins—Supervisor, Town of Chatham

Columbia County Supervisor

Chairman, Columbia County Health and Human Services Committee
Board Member, Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District
Board Member, Columbia County Board of Health
Board Member, Columbia County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board
Council Member, Columbia County Office of the Aging Advisory Council
Member, Columbia County Climate Smart Action Task Force
Member, Columbia County Public Works Committee
Member, Columbia County Occupancy Charge Sub-Committee
Member, Columbia County Collective Bargaining Team (4 bargaining units)
Member (2 year) Columbia County Economic Development Committee
Member, Columbia County “Think Differently” Autism Spectrum Awareness Rollout Group

Chatham Town Supervisor

Oversee all day-to-day activities of the Town of Chatham
Member, Finance and Planning Committee
Member, Climate Smart Action Task Force Committee
Member, Park and Recreation Committee
Member, Chatham Collective Bargaining Team (1 unit)
Member, Chatham Agricultural Partnership
Conduct Office Hours Monday through Friday

Administrative Accomplishments/Milestones

Town Spring Clean Up Day

Seminal event: free trash/tire/scrap metal/e-waste collection for Town residents

Community Picnic at Crellin Park

Two years of new event building community and friendships

Adoption of the Community Preservation Plan

Farms, Farmland and Natural Resource Protection

Comprehensive Plan Update (imminent)
Agricultural Protection Plan Update (imminent)
Town Supervisor sits as Voting Delegate to the Association of Towns
Virtual Accessibility to Town Board, Planning, ZBA and Advisory Committee meetings

Recordings of TB meetings, promptly available

Media Accessibility to Town Events/Notices/Legislation exponential expansion

Website, Facebook, Instagram, Email Blasts

Streamline Town Hall Functions

Public Access Window for Building Department
Major Software Upgrades for Permit Applications
Dedicated Clerk for Planning and Zoning Boards
High Quality Color Printer Installation
Required Staff Cyber Security Training

Tax abatement for seniors/disabled, low income
Tax abatement for volunteer firefighters
“Free Store” Installation

Community Exchange
Diversion of Usable Goods from Landfills

Backup Generators- Purchase and Installation

Town Hall and Highway Garage

Continuation of Operation
Heating/Cooling Station during extreme weather events

Advisory Committee Creation/Populating

Housing Committee
Grants Appropriation Committee

Collaboration with procured contractual Grant Writer

Invasive Species Awareness Committee
Conservation Advisory Council
Traffic Safety Working Group

Increased Budget for County Sheriff Enhanced Patrol Services
Public/Private Partnership to secure funding for Columbia Box Board Site Renovation
LED Upgrade for East Chatham Street Lighting District
Purchase of 5 Digital Radar/Traffic Calming/ Data Gathering Devices
Town of Chatham attains BRONZE NYSERDA designation.

Community Solar Campaign
Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign

Park and Rec

Constructed 2 bicycle pump tracks (youth and adult)
Renovation of the New Pavilion

Bathroom, Kitchen Areas
Full concrete base
Children's Day Camp Success

New Fleet of Picnic Tables

Establishment of Crellin Pond Treatment Plan

Aerator funding
CC Soil & Water/DEC assistance
Secured Outside Funding

Trailhead/fitness center clearing
Trails development
PS21 collaborations
Baseball field dugout construction
Skate Park amendments-concrete features
Baseball field overlook area
Outdoor grass performance platform
Heavy Duty Maintenance Tractor Purchase

Trail Building/Brush Cutting/Material and Brush Handling

Pickleball Court Construction (beginning 2024)

Secured Outside Funding ($100k)

Expansion of Youth Summer Camp Registrants

Addition of Tennis Lessons
Enhancements of Children’s Garden

Construction of Donor Board

Fully Staffed Town and Highway Government Units

Premium Pay dedicated and distributed to Essential Employees for COVID era employment
Collective Bargaining secured through 2026
Significant wage increases to all employees (No Real Property Tax Increase)

Dedicated Federal funding to local Fire and Rescue Companies
Albany Turnpike Bridge Enhancements
$850,000 of Gravel Road equipment ordered (No Real Property tax increase)
Full Highway small truck fleet replacement (No real property tax increase)

We rest our case!
VOTE DONAL, VANCE AND TIM