Artist rendering of proposed upweller facility at 90 Bridge Street

Special Town Meeting Sept. 16

A Special Town Meeting will be held on September 16th at 6 p.m. in the Gymnasium of the Monomoy Regional Middle School, 425 Crowell Road, to consider one article seeking $4,000,000 for the purpose of paying costs of the design, renovation, and construction of waterfront infrastructure and facilities for the continuation of improvements at 90 Bridge Street including new piers and floats for use by recreational and commercial boaters, along with the return and repurposing of the historic Stage Harbor Coast Guard Boathouse as a shellfish upweller. The article is supported by both the Select Board and Finance Committee.

The warrant for the Special Town Meeting is available online. Copies of the warrant are also available in the Town Offices, 549 Main Street, the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road, and in local Post Office branches.

Town staff has produced a Special Town Meeting Preview Show to inform voters on the issue. An in-depth look at the workings of the current upweller is also available on Chatham TVs YouTube Channel.

Childcare is available at the Special Town Meeting for ages 3 & up by reservation. Drop off begins at 5 p.m. in the Middle School Library. Please email Sharon Stark with your name, address, contact phone number, child's name, age and any medical issues no later than 12 noon on Friday, September 13th.

Transportation to the Special Town Meeting is available by appointment through the Center for Active Living. Call 508-945-5190 to reserve your seat no later than 12 noon on Monday, September 16th.

Tall Ship Lynx under sail in Stage Harbor.

Tall Ship Lynx Returns Sunday

The Tall Ship LYNX returns to Stage Harbor this Sunday, September 8th!

The LYNX will arrive on the tide at the harbor entrance at approximately 3:00 p.m. Weather permitting, LYNX will carry as much sail as possible on her arrival and will sound her guns. She will be tied up at Old Mill Boatyard until September 12th.

Please adhere to traffic regulations and parking restrictions if viewing the ship's arrival.

Free public deck tours of the ship will be conducted from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the 9th, and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the 10th and 11th.

LYNX, launched in 2021 at Rockport Marine, in Rockport, ME, is a near interpretation of a War of 1812 Privateer. Lynx is preparing for America’s 250th anniversary event Sail 250 in 2026 by visiting ports not traditionally visited by tall ships along the east coast. The Lynx Educational Foundation operates the vessel.

September 11th Memorail Garden at the Chatham Fire Station

September 11th Remembrance

The public is invited to gather at the Chatham Fire Station for a remembrance ceremony to honor the lives lost during the 9/11/01 attacks on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 9:00 am.

The ceremony will be held in front of the Chatham Fire Department Headquarters, located at 135 Depot Road. Members of the Fire Department, Police Department, Harbormaster Division, US Coast Guard, and Town Administration will assemble around the 9/11 Memorial Garden.

Light refreshments will be available after the ceremony.

Info graphic for Massachusetts Preparedness Month

September is Preparedness Month in Massachusetts

Governor Maura Healey has declared September 2024 as Emergency Preparedness Month to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and to encourage planning for disasters and other types of emergencies.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), and other state, local, and nonprofit agencies will promote preparedness through various public outreach efforts throughout the month. These efforts are part of a month-long national campaign themed “This is why I prepare.” The goal is to personalize the reasons why local leaders and officials prepare for emergencies while encouraging others to do the same.

Throughout September, we will share information on our Facebook and Instagram accounts about emergency preparedness topics, including emergency planning, building an emergency kit, preparing for disasters, and more. Follow us! And if you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to sign up for local emergency alerts.

You can also visit Mass.gov/ready to find emergency preparedness tips available in several different languages, safety tips for specific threats and hazards, preparedness resources from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability, and other information.

Tree Removal from Morris Island Flats

Due to ongoing erosion on Morris Island, numerous trees from the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge have fallen onto the tidal flats and washed into the channel, creating significant hazards to navigation. In response, the Town has already removed 60-70 of the most dangerous trees and installed warning signs to alert boaters.

However, many trees remain on the tidal flats south of Morris Island and pose a continued risk. Beginning September 16th, the Refuge will start clearing the downed trees from the flats. The trees will be cut, chipped, and the material removed from the site by September 18th, with assistance from Town staff.

After this phase, the Town will remove the remaining trees from deeper waters and the channel using a barge, funded by the Conservation Commission’s mitigation funds. This collaborative effort between the Town and the Refuge will help ensure safe navigation in the area.

Person in orange safety vest standing on a pipe in the ground in front of an excavator

Sewer Construction Resumes

Fall in Chatham means the return of Sewer Construction!

Work at the two pump stations in South Chatham on Meetinghouse Road and Morton Road will continue this fall as will work on the Queen Anne Pump Station and Phase 1E-2, the Stage Harbor Road sewer extension.

Work will begin on two new projects this fall. The Mill Pond Pumping Station Upgrade will get underway to upgrade and replace the 50+ year old pump station that was part of the Town's original sewer system. Work associated with this project will affect access to the Town Landing. Additional information will be provided by the Harbormaster to all permit holders as the contractor's schedule is confirmed for this project.

Work will also commence on Phase 1C-5, the Oyster Pond sewer extension. This project installs sewer on portions of Independence Lane, Smith Street, Ellis Street, Pond View Avenue, Pond View Lane, Pond View West, Kelley Lane, and Wood Carver Knoll, and connecting the Oyster Pond condominium development. Two new pump stations are part of this project, one located on Independence Lane and one within the Oyster Pond condominium development.

Kindergarten Soccer Program begins Sept. 17 at the Community Center

Adult Day Program Named

Thank you to everyone who submitted name suggestions for the new adult day program to be offered through the Council on Aging at the Center for Active Living, 193 Stony Hill Road. Numerous names were put forth that reflected the comfort, care, and support that the program will offer. The top three suggestions were voted on by members of Tean Chatham and the selected name is (drumroll, please...) Ryder's Cove Respite!

Watch this space for more information on the launch of this important and much needed program in support of our older adults and their caregivers.

Blue square with Community Preservation inside with line of people shapes in yellow in center

Community Preservation Applications

Applications for Community Preservation Act funding are now available online.

Organizations interested in applying for funds are encouraged to review the guidelines for filing an application. Applications must be received prior to November 1st for consideration for inclusion in the 2025 Annual Town Meeting warrant.

Applications will be reviewed by the Community Preservation Committee in open meetings held on the first Monday of the month at 4 p.m. at the Town Office Annex, 261George Ryder Road.

Aerial view of Aunt Lydia's Cove and Chatham Fish Pier

Aunt Lydia's Cove Committee Recruiting

The Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee is seeking new members to assist in providing recommendations to the Select Board on topics related to activities on and/or about the Cove. Any individual interested in and familiar with issues related to Aunt Lydia’s Cove are encouraged to apply.

Applications are available on-line at https://www.chatham-ma.gov/FormCenter/Town-Manager-Forms-19/Talent-Bank-80.

Chatham Railroad Museum with front door open and "Open" flag next to door.

Railroad Museum's Fall Hours

The Chatham Railroad Museum will reduce operating hours for the fall beginning Saturday, September 7th. The Museum will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. through Sunday, October 13th.

silhouette of a mosquito in a red circle with a red line across it

Barnstable County Arbovirus Webpage

With another case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) diagnosed last week in Plymouth County, Barnstable County's Department of Health and Environment has created the Arbovirus Summary for Barnstable County webpage.

The webpage includes information on EEE and West Nile Virus (WNV) reports, transmission risk assessment and tips to protect yourself from bites and your home and property from infestations. Dashboard maps are included for the most up-to-date reporting data.

Next Select Board Meeting - Sept. 10, 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#.

I. Minutes

A. July 9, 2024

II. Announcements and Agenda Requests

III. Chatham Wells, PFAS, and Drinking Water Testing and Pumping Update – August 2024 – Director of Public Works Rob Faley

IV. Public Hearings

A. FY2025 Tax Classification Hearing – Town Assessor Ardelle Kelley

B. Traffic Safety Committee Recommendations – Joan Craig, Chair, Traffic Safety Committee

i. Placement of “Thickly Settled” sign on Barn Hill Road between Harding’s Beach Rd. and Hunter Rise

ii. Installation of Two (2) New Stop Signs at the Intersection of Cedar St. and Battlefield

iii. Installation of Two (2) “Thickly Settled” signs on Cross St.

iv. Establish a No Parking Zone on the West Side of Shattuck Place from Cross St. to the Parking Lot at the Rear of Chase Park

v. Installation of Two (2) Radar Advisory Speed Signs on Old Queen Anne Rd. in the area of Winterset Dr.

V. Public Comments on Business Agenda

VI. Business Agenda

A. Consider Amending the Town’s Budget and Financial Management Policies to Limit the Ability of the Town When Borrowing Money to Exclude Debt under Proposition 2 ½ in Reliance on a Ballot Question Approval that Occurs at an Election That Precedes Town Meeting Action to Authorize the Proposed Borrowing – Vice Chair Dean Nicastro

B. Consider Request to Remove “No Parking” Signs in front of 513 Main Street (Bluefins) – Joan Craig

C. Consider Acceptance of Memorial Bench Donation at Old Mill Boat Yard – Ted Keon/Scott & Jessica Pollack

D. Consider Outdoor Display of Goods and Sales at 632 Main Street, Chatham on September 19 and 20, 2024 – Jenn Burkart, J. McLaughlin

E. Consider Acceptance of Tree Donation at Veterans Field from the Chatham Athletic Association – Steve West

F. Consider Acceptance of a Donation of $50,000 to the Tree Protection Bylaw Revolving Fund – Director of Natural Resources Greg Berman

G. Electric Vehicle (EV) Public Charging Station Policy – Second Reading – Projects and Operations Administrator Terry Whalen

H. Consider Committee Appointments

a. Conservation Commission

b. Cultural Council

VII. Executive Session – MGL Chapter 30A, §21 (3) – To discuss strategy with respect to litigation (32 Mill Hill Rd.) if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the public body and the Chair so declares with no return to open session.

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