Welcome to Chatham Patch!

Hi! We're Chatham Patch, a new community-oriented, online newspaper dedicated to providing you with information about all things local here in the township and borough.

As the site's editor, I'll be around town with my laptop, cell phone and camera, covering the news that's most important to you. I, along with my team of freelance reporters and writers, will be at school-sponsored events, municipal meetings, Cougar basketball games and everything in between. We'll also work to profile community members so you can become more familiar with those who surround you. We've got columnists who will produce reviews of Chatham's restaurants and writers who will discuss local business development. We'll constantly be updating Chatham Patch throughout the day; the municipality's news will constantly be flowing through the site. Follow us at twitter.com/chathampatch for regular updates; you can also become a fan of Chatham Patch on Facebook.

One of best things about us, though, is that we only focus on Chatham Borough and Chatham Township. We don't write articles that have to do with other municipalities; we let Patch sites in other nearby towns take care of that. Our hyperlocal attitude will allow us to work hard to learn about the issues that affect you most and report on them in a fair and balanced manner.

But the site isn't just for news. We also feature a directory that lists information about each and every Chatham business, government office, school and religious institution. Got a question about the Chatham Church of Christ's history? We strive to have the answer. Want to know a little more about Shepard Kollock Park? The directory will feature that information as well. It is a rich source of community information.

But we can't do all this without your help. Chatham Patch features different sections where you can:

• Let everyone know about an upcoming event.
• Inform people of someone's accomplishments. If your child made the honor roll or you just had a baby, you can make it known.
• Post information about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
• Claim a business or organization. If you see your business or organization listed in our community directory, you can comment on it to tell people what's new. You can also select a featured photo or video for the listing.
• Sign up for alerts, so when we report on something that directly affects a business or organization you're interested in, you can be the first to know.

We very much want you to be involved. With your assistance, more of Chatham's residents will know what's going on in their community, and more people will show up at that volunteer event you're organizing or that concert you're planning. It's our hope that the community, as a whole, will be made better because we're around. And in the end, we hope to become your one-stop shop for all things local.

If you've got story ideas, or just want to share your thoughts about the site, my metaphorical door is always open. Don't hesitate to email me at zach@patch.com or to give me a call at 973 885 2440, or to stop me around town if you see me. I can't wait to hear from you.

See you out and about!