Emilia Teasdale is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Chatham Town Board has canceled the town-sponsored, six-week summer camp at Crellin Park. At a May 15, special meeting held remotely via an online platform, Supervisor Donal Collins and board members Abi Mesick and Vance Pitkin voted to cancel the camp program, while members John Wapner and Kevin Weldon voted against cancellation. The motion read, in part, that “due to the Covid-19 pandemic and precautions needing to be followed for the health and welfare of our community… therefore be it resolved that the Chatham Town Board has determined that the 2020 Summer Camp Program shall be canceled.” Wapner was critical of the decision, saying the town had not waited long enough to hear from state officials about whether to cancel or not. He also wanted the board to move on with hiring lifeguards who might be able to serve as camp counselors for the summer program if later in the summer a modified program could open. Town Recreation Director Mike West recommended holding off making a final decision. “We should leave the door open” for a modified program, he said. County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb called into the meeting telling the board the county recommended closing the camps. “You just can’t social distance kids,” he said. The Kinderhook Town Board has also canceled that town’s summer camp/playground program at Volunteer Park. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.