Half Staff Notification

Please be advised that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings beginning February 15, 2025, until sunset on the day of interment, February 28, 2025 in honor of the life and legacy of State Representative Carol Doherty.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1. The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls
2. Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings
3. All state military installations

Public Forum on Proposed Speed Limit Reduction for "Thickly Settled" Areas

Don’s miss the Public Forum on the proposal to adopt MA General Law (MGL) Chapter 90, Section 17C, which allows the Town to reduce speed limits from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour on any roadway inside a “thickly settled” or business district in Town on any way that is not a state highway, on Wednesday, February 26th at 5:30 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

 “Thickly settled” areas are defined in MGL Chapter 90, Section 1 as residential or commercial districts where the buildings are 200 ft. apart or less for a ¼ mile or more. At its January 14th meeting, the Select Board voted to have staff prepare an article on the adoption of the law for 2025 Annual Town Meeting consideration, as required.

The Public Forum is intended to educate the public about the scope of the impact such a change would have on specific streets and the Town as a whole, as well as budgetary impacts for implementing the change, such as the cost of replacement signage, in preparation for the 2025 Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, May 10th.

Select Board Action - Feb. 18th

The Select Board opened its meeting by approving an application for a new seasonal all alcoholic beverages restaurant license for Hemm Fam, LLC d/b/a Chatham Moods, 1617 Main Street, Orlando Hemmings, Manager.

Finance Committee Chair Stephen Daniel presented the Committee’s preliminary FY2026 Budget recommendations to the Select Board. He reviewed the proposed operating and capital budgets as well as the educational assessments. He said most budgetary requests are level-funded and overall, the Finance Committee supports the proposed budget. 

The Finance Committee supports a comprehensive review of the rates the Town is charging for water which may mitigate demand. It was also suggested that the impact of planned affordable/attainable housing developments on the drinking water supply be considered moving forward.

The Finance Committee’s continued concern about the Town’s high levels of Free Cash certifications over the last few years was expressed. Support was expressed for the approval of funding of the Center for Active Living from Free Cash.

While the Rte. 28/Crowell Road Intersection Improvement is not a matter of action at this time, Chair Daniel expressed the Finance Committee’s opposition to this project.

The Finance Committee supports an increase in the Short-Term Rental Registration application fee. The Committee suggests that a review of all fees charged by the Town be reviewed. The Committee suggested that the Town’s Financial Policies be reviewed, and support was expressed to upgrade the Town’s financial management system.

The Select Board members offered their thoughts on the report and thanked the Finance Committee for their work.

The Select Board granted a Special One-Day Alcohol License to Ron Weishaar on behalf of Holy Redeemer Church for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner on March 15, 2025 from 5 – 8 p.m. at 57 Highland Avenue.

The Select Board continued its discussion on the draft Grinder Pump Policy from February 4th. Public Works Director Rob Faley said the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee met and voted the proposed Grinder Pump policy. The Committee also recommended the creation of a Sewer Connection Hardship Fund and the Select Board expressed support for this idea. The Board voted to approve the Grinder Pump Policy with minor amendments and to direct staff to review and make a recommendation to the Board on the creation of a Sewer Connection Hardship Fund.

The Select Board granted a License to Enter and Use Real Town Property at 608-610 Stage Harbor Road to Boston Gas Company (National Grid) to allow the connection of the new Old Mill Boatyard Pump Station to natural gas service contingent upon the Boston Gas Company’s agreement to Town Counsel’s edits of the license language.

Finance Director Carrie Mazerolle reviewed the proposed FY2026 operating and capital budgets for the General Government and Other/Undesignated divisions. She reviewed the proposed increases and decreases to each division’s operating budget and discussed the items driving increases.

The Select Board voted to place and recommend several articles on the 2025 Annual Town Meeting warrant including an annual appropriation of $150,000 to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability Trust Fund and to appropriate $1,070,00 from the Wastewater Capital Stabilization Fund for repairs to the original sewer collection system, adding an additional pump to the Stage Harbor Pump Station, and replacement of denitrification filters.

After receiving public comment on each, the Select Board voted to place and recommend articles on the 2025 Annual Town Meeting warrant appropriating $5 million dollars from Free Cash for the expansion and renovation of the existing Center for Active Living (CFAL) at 193 Stony Hill Road, raising and appropriating ($400,000) and transferring from Free Cash ($3 million) for the completion of the Transfer Station Improvement Project, and a borrowing authorization/debt exclusion article and ballot question for $32 million to continue the implementation of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan sewer project.

The Select Board voted to refer a Protective (Zoning Bylaw) Amendment seeking to amend Permitted Uses within the Conservancy District received by petition from Impact Chatham and Protective (Zoning) Bylaw and Zoning Map amendments seeking a new West Chatham Neighborhood Center Zoning District proposed by the Planning Board to the Planning Board for a required public hearing pursuant to MGL CH. 40A Section 5.

The Select Board agreed to a request by the Harwich Select Board Chair to convene a meeting with two Harwich Select Board Members and two Chatham Select Board members, including professional staff to discuss the Monomoy Regional School Agreement.

Drought Declarations in MA

Despite recent rains and snow melt, Massachusetts is experiencing drought conditions. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper has declared Level 3 – Critical Drought in the Central and Northeast regions of the Commonwealth;  Level 2 – Significant Drought in the Connecticut River Valley, Southeast, Cape & Islands regions,; and Level 1- Mild Drought in the Western region.

While no water conservation measures have been enacted locally at this time, it’s never too early to take steps to modify your habits to conserve water usage. For more information and to monitor the current drought status of the Commonwealth visit www.mass.gov/drought.

Sewer Construction Update

February 24th – 28th

Oyster Pond Sewer Construction Project

Testing will occur in the Pond View Avenue area on Saturday, February 22nd. No road closures or detours will be needed.

Continued sewer work on Ellis Street is planned. Local traffic only, detour will be in place. Police detail(s) will be on-site and signage in place to assist residents.

Site work is planned at the Oyster Pond Condominiums pumping station site (1233 Main Street).

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Construction Project

Continued site work is planned at the pumping station site (Old Mill Boat Yard/Harbormasters Garage).

Road closure is expected for part of the week on Stage Harbor Road near the Harbormaster’s Office/Garage. For public safety reasons, Stage Harbor Road between the Harbormaster’s Garage and Bridge Street will be closed and a detour will be in place.

Detour route will be from Bridge Street North to Stage Harbor Road, to Cedar Street, to Champlain Road.

Detour route from Champlain Road to Cedar Street to Stage Harbor Road to Bridge Street.

Mill Pond Pump Station

Sewer work will continue on Mill Pond Road. Road closures are planned for Mill Pond Road and Homestead Lane, local traffic only. Police detail(s) will be on-site to assist motorists. Work associated with the Mill Pond Pumping Station will close access to the Town Landing.

Energy Coaching Available

Not sure where to start on your Energy Efficiency or Home Decarbonization Journey?

Cape Light Compact, the local Mass Save Sponsor, is offering no-cost 30-minute virtual or in-person Energy Coaching sessions. These sessions are designed to help consumers who need help:

• evaluating which program or financing options to take advantage of
• navigating the next steps of a program you have already started
• prioritizing which recommendations from their energy assessment they should do first.
• or are unsure where to start with utilizing Energy Efficiency programs

To sign up for an Energy Coaching session, click here to complete the online form.

It is not required, but certainly helpful if you have had a Home Energy Assessment and have the results available for your coaching session. 

Customers can also access Mass Save no-cost Home Energy Assessments to learn about energy-saving opportunities specific to your home. Call 866-527-SAVE (7283) to schedule your in-person or virtual assessment.