A house with evergreen bushes and pine tree in front.

Affordable Housing Trust Acquisition

Chatham’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees purchased 558 Crowell Road for the purpose of affordable or attainable ownership housing. The property consists of approximately 1-acre and includes an existing 3-bedroom house. The closing took place on August 2nd.

After some minor improvements are made to the house, a permanent affordability deed restriction up to 100% AMI will be placed on the property. The Trustees intend to contract with a housing non-profit for fair housing marketing and to hold a lottery to then sell the property to an income-qualified household. It is anticipated that the lottery could be held in approximately 6 months.

The sellers, Mira Rabin and Tom Whitman, responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) that the Town issued in March seeking property suitable for affordable and/or attainable housing. The purchase price of the house and land was $430,000. The sellers, recognizing the dire housing situation for families who want to live in Chatham, offered the property below both assessed and fair market value, requesting that this property be permanently deed-restricted at an affordable or attainable level and sold to a family.

The Trustees believe this project can serve as a model for other Chatham property owners who are concerned about the lack of affordable and attainable housing in Town and have the means to help as individuals.

Anyone who would like to learn more about placing a deed restriction on their property or who might consider selling their property to the Town for the purpose of affordable and/or attainable housing should reach out to Housing & Sustainability Director Gloria McPherson at 508-945-5168 or gmcpherson@chatham-ma.gov for information.

RFP for Land for Housing Acquisition Issued

The Town of Chatham and the Chatham Affordable Housing Trust are seeking to acquire real property, by purchase, gift, or lease (minimum term of 99 years) within the Town a parcel of land, or parcels of land, suitable for construction or an existing building suitable for renovation for use as a mix of affordable and attainable housing (30% of Area Median Income and up to 200% of Area Median Income).

The Request for Proposals (RFP) and supporting documents may be obtained via email from Shanna Nealy (snealy@chatham-ma.gov) or at the Chatham Town Offices, Town Manager’s Office, 549 Main Street, Chatham, MA.

Sealed proposals will be received at the Office of the Town Manager, 549 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633 until 2:00 PM on Monday, September 23, 2024. Late submittals will not be accepted. After the bid closing time, the Interested Party submittals will be opened for the sole purpose of recording the names of the Interested Parties submitting.

The Town reserves the right to reject any or all proposals if deemed in the best interest of the Town.

Summer Residents Town Meeting Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Click above to join the meeting remotely.

Turbine Debris Comes Ashore in Chatham

Debris suspected to originate from the Vineyard Wind turbine blade failure has come ashore on Chatham beaches.

Four golf ball size pieces of foam were collected by Vineyard Wind representatives from Forest Beach on Sunday August 4th and approximately 12 fist-sized and smaller pieces of fiberglass debris were collected on Harding's Beach on Tuesday, August 6th. Additional fiberglass debris collected on Harding's Beach was turned into the Wharfinger on August 7th.

The public is asked to report any debris spotted in the water or onshore to Vineyard Wind’s Debris Reporting Hotline: 833-609-5768 and to not collect debris themselves.

Square Orange sign with Detour in black with black arrows

Planned Detour August 15th

A detour is planned on Training Field Road from Old Comers Road to Old Queen Anne Road on Thursday, August 15th from 5 a.m. to approximately 12 noon to accommodate concrete deliveries to the site of the new water treatment facility for Wells 5 & 8. Signage and Police detail will be in place to direct motorists. Thank you for your patience during this short duration closure.

Red white and blue buttons with Vote written on them in the middle

Massachusetts State Primary

The Massachusetts State Primary will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd. Polls will be open at the Community Center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In-person Early Voting for the Primary will take place in the Town Offices, 549 Main Street, on Saturday, August 24th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, August 26th to Friday, August 30th from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.

If you are not already registered to vote in Chatham the deadline to register to vote in the Primary is Saturday, August 24th until 5 p.m. You may register to vote in-person at the Town Clerk's office, 549 Main Street or online through the MA Secretary of State's website.

The deadline for the Town Clerk to receive Early Vote by Mail applications is Monday, August 26th at 5 p.m. The deadline to vote by Absentee ballot is Friday, August 30th at 5 p.m.

Notice of Cleat Swapat Community Center August 12- September 21

Special Town Meeting Called

The Select Board has called a Special Town Meeting for Monday, September 16, 2024 at 6 p.m. in the Monomoy Middle School Gymnasium, 425 Crowell Road. 

The Board will consider placing an article to fund a new shellfish upweller housed in the historic Coast Guard Boathouse at 90 Bridge Street on the Special Town Meeting warrant at its next meeting on August 20, 2024.

If you are not already a registered voter in Chatham, the last day to register to vote in the Special Town Meeting is Friday, September 6, 2024 at 5 p.m. You can register in person at the Town Clerk's office, 549 Main Street, or online through the MA Secretary of State's website.

black icon of a swimmer with No Lifeguard Swim at Your Own Risk above and below in yello

Lifeguard Staffing Update

As the summer starts to wind down, our seasonal staff begins to head back to school or their primary residences. Please check the Chatham Community Center website for daily updates on which beaches will be guarded.

It is likely that the last day beaches will be safely guarded this season will be Friday, August 23rd.

Preschool students sitting on the floor while an adult reads to them

Support For Preschool Tuition Available

The kids will be heading back to school in just a few weeks!

If you are a Chatham resident with a preschool student that will be 3 or 4 years old on or before August 31, 2024 please apply for preschool tuition support.

Applications are available for the Dr. Florence Seldin Preschool Family Support Program.The Program, entering its third year, provides up to $5,000 in pre-school tuition for 3 year olds and up to $10,000 in pre-school tuition for 4 year olds with enrolled pre-school providers. Payments are made directly to the providers on a monthly basis. Proof of Chatham residency is the only requirement for students to participate in the program.

If you are or know a family that would benefit from the Program, please encourage them to submit an application.

Help name the new adult supportive day care program

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith reads a proclamation as Michele Clarke looks on

Happy Retirement Michele!

After 18 years of service to the Chatham community, Michele Clarke retired this week. A luncheon was held to wish her well at the Public Works facility at which Town Manager Jill Goldsmith presented her with a proclamation and plaque of appreciation for her work on behalf of the Town.

Michelle served in the Community Development Department as the Office Manager from 2006 until 2022. While there she also served as the staff liaison to the Historical Commission. Michele was promoted in 2022 to serve as the Principal Projects and Operations Assistant working with our Principal Projects and Operations Administrator and various departments and committees.

Please join us in wishing Michele the best of luck in the future!

Andrew Goddard in uniform in the hall at the Town Offices

Last Coffee with Lieutenant Goddard

Join members of the Police Department and other Town officials on Monday, August 19th at 10 a.m. in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road, for a Last Coffee with Lieutenant Andrew Goddard upon his retirement after 27 years of service to our community.

Lieutenant Goddard joined Chatham's Police Department in July 1997, hired as a full-time Officer by former Chief Kevin Fitzgibbons. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June of 2008 and Lieutenant in September of 2018 by former Chief Mark Pawlina.

Lieutenant Goddard is well known throughout Town and will be missed by many community members. We wish him nothing but the best his retirement!

Natural Resources Director Featured

Our Director of Natural Resources Greg Berman will be the featured speaker at two upcoming community events.

On Sunday, August 18th Director Berman will present "Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Chatham" at the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse, 819 Main Street. Services begin at 10:30 a.m. and are available through Zoom.

On Wednesday, August 21st Director Berman will be the keynote speaker at the Friends of Chatham Waterways Annual Meeting at the Chatham Beach and Tennis Club.

Close up of a tick next to picture of a man at a table with his head in his hand with his eyes closed

Summer Flu or Tick-Borne Disease?

It's the middle of summer but you're not feeling so hot...could you be experiencing the symptoms of a tick-borne disease? 

It’s not uncommon to experience symptoms of a virus or flu-like illness—the early hallmark of a tick-borne disease—without noticing a tick bite or even the bullseye rash that is sometimes associated with a tick bite.

The Hyannis Sound in white on a black shape indicating a sign

Hyannis Sound At St. Christopher's

Don’t miss your last chance this summer to see The Hyannis Sound perform at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 625 Main Street, on Tuesday, August 13^th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Founded in 1994, the Hyannis Sound organization strives to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the 10 young men who fill its ranks each summer. Through their experiences with the group, these men garner valuable skills in performance, business management, and musical direction. While growing as individuals, they also form countless friendships and become members of a brotherhood that last a lifetime.

Tickets ($15 for adults, $10 for children 10 and active military members and veterans) are sold at the door.

Festival of the Arts parking restrictions map

53rd Annual Festival of the Arts

The 53rd Annual Festival of the Arts will take place Friday, August 16th - 18th in Chase Park, Cross Street.

Parking and traffic restrictions will be in place beginning on Thursday, August 15th.

Festival organizers will provide shuttle bus service to the Park from the Creative Arts Center (154 Crowell Road) and the Community Center (702 Main Street).

As there will be a great deal of pedestrian traffic, please use additional caution when driving in the area.

Stylized red A in a blue square with a blue fish hook along the right edge

Congratulations Anglers!

Congratulations to the Chatham Anglers for making it into the Cape Cod Baseball League's East Division playoffs this year!

Unfortunately, a heartbreaking rally by the Harwich Mariners in the ninth inning eliminated the Anglers from contention on Tuesday night. This was the first time since 2019 that the Anglers made it into the playoffs.

Good luck to all the players and staff in their endeavors over the fall and winter months. We'll be counting down to opening day 2025!

Next Select Board Meeting - August 20, 2024 @ 5:30 p.m.

All are welcome to attend and participate in our open and public meetings. The agenda for each meeting is posted 48 business hours prior to the scheduled meeting time and can be accessed through the Select Board’s webpage.

Attend in-person at the Town Office Annex, Large Meeting Room. Join the meeting on-line or participate by phone by dialing 1-508-945-4410 and entering Conference ID 203 386 491#.

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!

Subscribe to The Mainsheet

Subscribe today to have the latest issue of The Mainsheet delivered directly to your inbox each week! Sign-up through Notify Me! by entering your email address and clicking on the envelope icon next to the "Government" subscription list.

Town of Chatham website www.chatham-ma.gov