TAX TIME: Tax bills will be mailed out by end of May. The last day to pay taxes without penalty will be July 1, 2025. Please read the following carefully to ensure proper processing of your Village tax bill payment:

• Only the exact amount due at the time of payment will be accepted. This includes any applicable past due amounts. Partial payments or payments for amounts other than the amount due at the time of payment cannot be accepted.

• If you have outstanding taxes from previous years, payments must be applied in order, starting with the most recent unpaid tax bill.

• Do not combine tax payments with water/sewer bills or any other type of Village payment. Separate payments must be made for each.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in your payment being returned or delayed.

If you have any questions, please contact the Village Clerk’s Office for assistance.

WATER BILL: Please take note of the following important information regarding your Village water bill:

• Online Payment:

You can pay your water bill online by visiting www.villageofchathamny.gov and clicking the Pay Your Bill button at the top right of the Home screen.

• High Water Bill? Check for a Running Toilet:

A common cause of higher-than-usual water usage is a running toilet. To test for this:

1. Add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank.

2. Wait 1–2 hours without using the toilet.

3. If the color appears in the bowl, the toilet may be leaking and should be checked.

• Photographic Records:

Keeping dated photos of your meter readings or water flow devices can be helpful for monitoring usage and supporting any sewer adjustment requests.

• Garden Hose Usage & Sewer Bill Deductions:

Garden hose water usage does not enter the sewer system and may be deducted from your sewer bill.

o Water flow meters are available at most hardware stores and can be attached to your garden hose to measure usage.

o Submit before and after photos of the water meter reading to the Village Clerk’s Office or bring the meter in person.

o Be sure to reset the meter after each use and submission.

• Go Paperless:

Sign up for paperless billing to receive your water/sewer bill directly via email. It’s convenient, eco-friendly, and helps reduce administrative costs.

For questions or assistance, please contact the Village Clerk’s Office.

EMAIL/PHONE NUMBER REQUEST: The Village Clerk’s Office is working to improve communication with residents. If you have not already done so, please provide your email address and phone number so we can contact you in the event of an emergency.

We strongly encourage all residents to sign up for the Village email list to receive timely notifications about:

• Water main breaks or leaks

• Snow emergencies and parking restrictions

• Trash pick-up changes

• Office closures

• Other important Village news

All updates are posted on the Announcements Page of our website at www.villageofchathamny.gov, where you can also sign up for the email list. Updates are also shared on our Facebook page: facebook.com/VillageofChathamNY.

COLUMBIA COUNTY K.I.S.S. PROGRAM: Seniors over sixty can bring sensitive documents to the Village Hall from June 2nd – 13th, 2025, for FREE destruction. Village residents’ documents will be signed over to the Village Clerk and will be placed into a secure, locked container immediately. This container cannot be unlocked by any County or Village employee, only by the vendor.

CHATHAM HIGHSCHOOL GRADUATION PARADE: What began in 2020 in response to COVID-19 restrictions is becoming a wonderful annual tradition in the Village of Chatham. The Chatham High School Graduation Parade will take place on Friday, June 27, starting at approximately 8:00 PM, immediately following the graduation ceremony.

The parade begins at the high school and will turn left on Woodbridge Avenue, turn right on Kinderhook Street and continue to the traffic circle, down Hudson Avenue, and conclude at the Columbia County Fairgrounds’ South entrance. Come out and cheer for the graduates as they celebrate this milestone with family, friends, and the entire Chatham community!

Here’s a picture of a mosquito that Desiree made me draw. Two years ago. Careful. He looks mad, mad, mad.