Chatham Borough Hosts 2nd Annual Open House; Seeks Volunteers for Spring Clean

Contributed by Kara Sibilia, MyChathamNJ

The New Jersey State League of Municipalities and the Mayor and Borough Council of Chatham invite residents of all ages to participate in the 2nd Annual NJ Local Government Week, April 19-25. Chatham Borough Council member Carolyn Dempsey emphasizes the importance of local government stating, "It has the most direct effect on residents’ lives and we are thrilled to be able to invite students and residents to learn more about our municipality.” Chatham Borough Hall will, again, host a student tour. Young residents can meet the mayor, tour police headquarters, explore the fire trucks and more. “How many Council members are there? What does a borough engineer do? How big is our jail? Answers to these questions and more can be found during our open house!” notes Dempsey.

New this year is Conversation of Your Life (COYL) – a public advanced care planning initiative – organized by the Mayors’ Wellness Committee of the Chathams. Committee Chairman Brian George explains, “Advanced care planning is not an easy conversation, but a crucial one to have with your loved ones and physician. It provides clarity about end of life care and makes your wishes known on how you would like to be cared for, if you cannot communicate them yourself.” George, who is also the vice president of Musculoskeletal and Spine Services at RWJBarnabas Health, continues, “Too many times families are left to guess what decisions their loved one would have made for their end of life care. We urge everyone to have advanced care planning discussions and make your wishes known.”

Other activities include “Walking the Historic Riverside Trail” and “Coffee and Conversation” with a Borough Council member. “Our Historic Riverside Trail at Shepard Kollock Park is one of the wonderful amenities in Chatham Borough. Inviting residents on a guided tour gives us an opportunity to highlight the beauty along the Passaic and to premiere our new, informative kiosks at different, historic points along the trail,” adds Dempsey. The kiosks pay tribute to significant events in Chatham's history, including “Crossing of the Fishawack”, “Site of Continental Army Bread Ovens” and the “Mills of Chatham.”

Find out more about your local government through a meet and greet with Chatham Borough’s governing body and members of the administration; enjoy interactions with the Fire and Police Departments, Community Services, Finance, Emergency Squad, Library of The Chathams, Public Works, Recreation and Zoning/Engineering.

9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Walk the Historic Riverside Trail with Borough Council members (dogs welcome). Meet at Shepard Kollock Field.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Coffee with a Council member at Drip Coffee. Bring your ideas.

For additional details or program updates, please visit: www. chathamborough.org; and #njlocalgovt, #ChathamSpotlight, #ChathamLife to post your involvement on social media.

Join fellow community volunteers at the 8th Annual Spring Clean on Sat., May 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Focus projects for 2020 include landscaping beds beneath each of the five Chatham “welcome” signs, pruning, trash removal, edging and mulching the common areas downtown. Meet at Reasoner Park Gazebo, adjacent to Fire House Plaza. Wear boots or work shoes, work gloves and dress for the weather.

Register today and receive a free reusable shopping bag (while supplies last). Contact Community Services Director Janice Piccolo: jpiccolo@chathmborough.org or (973) 635-0674 x200.