Deputy Fire Chief Dick Hunter waving while driving an antique fire engine.

Remembering Dick Hunter

Retired Deputy Fire Chief Richard Hunter passed away on Sunday. Deputy Chief Hunter served the Town of Chatham in the Fire/Rescue Department for 36 years. He was hired as a Call Firefighter in April of 1975 and shortly thereafter was hired as a Career Firefighter in October 1975. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1976, and to Deputy Chief in July 2002. Deputy Chief Hunter retired in July 2011.

Additionally, Dick volunteered his time to the community, serving as an Airport Commissioner from 1995 to 2015. He was currently the Chair of the Traffic Safety Committee on which he served since 2012 and was a member of the Town Manager’s Parking Solutions working group. He also volunteered for 8 years at the Chamber of Commerce at the Bassett House Visitor Desk.

Our condolences to his wife Sue, sons Travis and Tim, and their families at this difficult time.

Police Chief Mike Anderson

In a ceremony on the steps of the Police Station, Mike Anderson was sworn in as the Town's eighth Police Chief in the Department's 100-year history.

Chief Anderson was presented with the Chief's badge by Town Manager Jill Goldsmith who thanked outgoing Chief Mark Pawlina for his service. Chief Anderson's wife Kathy did the honors of pinning the badge to his uniform.

Chief Anderson recognized each of the seven former Police Chiefs during his remarks and presented the previous two Chiefs and descendents of the other five with challenge coins depicting the Department's 100-year commemorative badge in honor of their service to the community.

If you were unable to attend the ceremony it is available for viewing on Ch. 18's YouTube channel.

Town Offices at 549 Main Re-Open

After a long closure due to damage caused by a power surge on April 27th, the Town Offices at 549 Main Street have re-opened!

The Town Manager, Finance team, and Town Clerk moved back into the building this week and are pleased to once again serve the community from the heart of Main Street.

We thank residents, property owners, and visitors for their patience as extensive repairs were made. Stop by and see us soon!

Silhouette of people watching fireworks at night

Fireworks Saturday Night

The festivities start at Veterans Field at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 2nd with kids activities running until 8:30 p.m.

Dan Clark, the Singing Trooper, will take to the field at 8 p.m. to perform patriotic favorites including the Star Spangled Banner leading up to the Fireworks display which will begin at approximately 9 p.m.

The Fireworks will be in the same format with the same viewing areas as those held at Veterans Field for First Night.

Leave It To The Pros

It is illegal for a private citizen to use, possess, or sell fireworks in Massachusetts OR to purchase them legally elsewhere and then transport them into the Commonwealth. You may be fined up to $100 for possession or use of any fireworks including firecrackers, cherry bombs and sparklers. Sparklers burn at more than 1200°!

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshall, MA Fire Departments reported 944 fires caused by illegal fireworks from 2012-2021 which resulted in 46 injuries and millions of dollars in damages.

In addition to the danger illegal fireworks pose to people and property, they cause major stress to domestic pets. In the last 5 years illegal fireworks have lead to the loss of several dogs and a horse in our area.

Please keep the holiday safe for all and leave the fireworks to the professionals!

Parade Road Closings

Starting at 02:30 a.m. on July 4th, “NO PARKING” restrictions will go into effect on the southside of Main Street in the Downtown Business District from the Rotary/Old Harbor Road to the intersection of Main Street and Shore Road.

A one-way (southbound) traffic pattern will be implemented on Shore Road at 6:30 a.m., from Old Harbor Road to Main Street for parade floats only. Barcliff Ave. will be also be closed to traffic towards Shore Road. Main Street to Shore Road will close to traffic at approximately 08:30 a.m.

Parade starts at 9:30am! If you are not comfortable coming downtown, the parade will be live streamed on CH. 18's YouTube channel.

Transfer Station is CLOSED on July 4th!

Picnic Basket with red white and blue utensils with information beside it about a drive through luncheon event

Access at Town Landings

Heading out on the water this weekend and planning to launch your boat at one of the Town landings? Remember that any use of boat ramp (not kayaks, canoes etc.) require a Waterways User Permit. Only full year (no daily or weekly permits available) are issued.
The fee for Residents is $50, non-residents is $150.

Parking at Ryder's Cove Landing is reserved for residents in all designated parking spots. Limited non-resident (single car) parking is first come, first served in the fenced area by the brick building. Trailer and single vehicle parking is available along Old Comers Road shoulder with exception of posted "No Parking" areas.

Crows Pond Landing is resident only parking within the landing, with non-resident parking available on Fox Hill Road shoulder.

Ramp use at Old Mill Boat Yard is restricted to residents only with resident parking in the parking lot. Non-resident parking is available along Stage Harbor Road shoulder.

Parking at Barn Hill Landing is resident only within landing, with non-resident parking along Barn Hill Road shoulder.

Parking sign with arrow in front of the Eldredge Garage parking lot

Eldredge Garage Lot

A reminder that parking at the Eldredge Garage Lot is free for Chatham Residents with a valid Town of Chatham sticker (beach, transfer station, recycling) on a first come first served basis.

The fee for all day parking for non-residents is $15. This fee includes a shuttle to Lighthouse Beach or the Fish Pier or anywhere along Main Street, if requested.

No Select Board Meeting on July 5, 2022!

The Mainsheet

The name of our e-newsletter was selected from submissions by our community.
In nautical terms a mainsheet is the line connected to the boom which allows a sailor to control the speed of a boat. We think that is fitting for an e-newsletter that can be used to quickly send out important information to our community or at a more leisurely rate for less pressing matters. It reflects Chatham’s maritime history, is reminiscent of the front page of a newspaper, and it is a fun play on Main Street, where you go to be part of all that is happening in Town!

Town of Chatham website www.chatham-ma.gov