Don't fall for the myths

Seen your Chatham Borough tax bill?

Then you’ve seen the Mayor's enclosed letter, full of rumors and myths, but NOT ONE good excuse not to hold a public forum before paving the green, taxpayer-owned parcel at 58 N. Passaic Ave.

Her letter did NOT answer even ONE of the questions driving the demand for a public forum:

• Why pave that lot, next to Memorial Park?
• How much will that cost Borough taxpayers?
• What are the alternatives?
• What are the pros and cons?

Don't fall for the myths:

MYTH: Chatham must develop 58 N. Passaic to meet the state’s affordable housing quota.

REALITY: The state did NOT choose 58 N. Passaic. It was targeted by 8 Chatham insiders who met behind closed doors and kept no records.

MYTH: Developing 58 N. Passaic would meet the quota at no cost.

REALITY: Nothing is free. Chatham taxpayers would be responsible for ALL the costs, as the Council voted unanimously on March 9, 2026.

MYTH: Developing 58 N. Passaic is the only way to meet the quota without buying land.

REALITY: There are other eligible sites. Choosing 58 N. Passaic means permanently sacrificing trees, fresh air, natural habitats, and the chance to use that park-side land to benefit ALL residents, including future generations.

MYTH: The sole alternative is a much bigger project and much higher density.

REALITY: False. The Mayor’s handpicked contractor has expressed willingness to build the same project ANYWHERE in Chatham.

MYTH: It is too late to consider alternatives.

REALITY: In fact, it is too early. Chatham cannot propose an option until the court issues a Compliance Certificate..

MYTH: Even proposing an alternative would create a great risk of lawsuits.

REALITY: If it were risky, Chatham's lawyer would have warned about that when he spoke at public meetings in June and December 2025.

MYTH: It would take too long to develop another site.

REALITY: We haven’t seen any evidence for that claim.

MYTH: Buying a lot would be too expensive for taxpayers.

REALITY: Residents deserve a chance to consider if preserving a unique asset is worth the cost, which the Mayor & Council refuse even to estimate.

MYTH: Environmentalists are prodding the Mayor & Council to spend our money.

REALITY: All we ask the Mayor & Council to do is put off paving that taxpayer-owned lot until after a public forum, which they can do at NO cost, as a local has agreed to pay the experts’ hourly fees. If it turns out that developing 58 N. Passaic is best, so be it

MYTH: All the questions have been asked and answered at Council meetings.

REALITY: The Mayor &. Council have not disclosed even basic facts, such as the costs and the alternatives rejected without explanation.

Myths dashed, WHEN will the Mayor & Council hold a public forum on the plan for 58 N. Passaic Avenue?

Insist on a straight answer now:

• E-mail the Mayor & Council:. https://chathamchoice.org/2026/03/should-residents-have-a-voice-in-the-future-of-chatham/
• Attend the public meeting Mon., July 13, 2026, 7:30 pm, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Ave.
• ChathamChoice.org