Hazardous materials scare closes Chatham street

CHATHAM — There were some scary moments at a Chatham business Monday morning after a suspicious package was delivered.

An employee at the law offices of attorney James Kleinbaum on Park Row in the village of Chatham opened a package that contained a suspicious powdery substance, Trooper Aaron Hicks, state police public information officer, said Monday afternoon.

The package was delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, Kleinbaum said Monday afternoon.

The package and substance were tested Monday afternoon, state police said, and no dangerous chemicals or toxins were found. State police declined to identify the substance.

Employees of the law office were put under quarantine for a time Monday, but no one in the office showed any ill effects, state police said.

Kleinbaum said Monday afternoon his office has reopened and things are getting back to normal on Park Row.

The package and its contents did not pose a danger to other Park Row residents or the surrounding community, state police said. An area of Park Row was closed to traffic and pedestrians for close to six hours. The road was set to reopen sometime Monday afternoon, Hicks said.

Chatham Fire Department and rescue squads from Chatham and Valatie responded to the scene after 9:30 a.m, according to state police.

Hazardous materials teams from Columbia and Greene counties, along with units from the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control and Columbia County Emergency Services, responded to the scene.

An investigation to determine if there was any criminal activity is continuing, according to state police. Chatham Police provided assistance.