Cyanobacteria Advisory/ Stillwater Pond: Potential for Concern

A cyanobacteria advisory has been posted at Stillwater Pond.

The Town received notification from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) of a visible algal bloom/scum in Stillwater Pond observed, which may signal the presence of elevated levels of cyanotoxin on June 18, 2025.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends a public health advisory be posted due to toxin concerns.

Potential for Concern Definition: Monitoring results or the presence of cyanobacteria scum at the time and place of sampling indicates a potential for increased risk for exposure to cyanobacteria toxins. While these conditions may pose lower health risks to adults, risks are higher for children or pets based on lower body mass, particularly if contaminated water is incidentally ingested.

Children may inadvertently consume pond water while swimming and pet exposure can result from drinking or ingesting pond water or from grooming after swimming.

Seek medical attention if you or family members are experiencing illness after swimming or playing in the water.

Pets may be vulnerable to adverse health effects of cyanotoxins. Contact a veterinarian if your pet shows signs of illness.

If you, your family members, or pets have experienced adverse cyanobacteria-related health effects, please contact the Chatham Health Division to report the illness.

Chatham Health Division is working closely with APCC to address the situation. Testing of the water body will take place this week and follow up testing will take place next week.

The Town of Chatham will post updated information when the Advisory is lifted or if there are any changes to the conditions of this recreational closure.

For more information, please contact Chatham Health Division or visit www.chatham-ma.gov or https://www.mass.gov/info-details/harmful-algae-blooms-in-freshwater-bodies or https://apcc.org/our-work/science/community-science/cyanobacteria/

Goose Pond Cyanobacteria Restriction Lifted

The cyanobacteria restrictions posted for Goose Pond on June 11th have been lifted.

Five young people in dark shorts and hi-vis shirts standing in front of a police cruiser

L to R: Connor Frazel, Christiana Fontaine, Julia Frommeyer, Jack Rouhana, Jake Giorgio.

Community Service Officers Return

This past week, our 2025 Community Service Officers were sworn in and completed their training program. 

We are very proud to announce that 2 of our CSOs are returning for their 3rd summer and 1 is returning for her 2nd summer.

The training program consisted of: First Aid/CPR; Chatham Police Department policies and procedures; vehicle and equipment overview; and duties and responsibilities; and more!

They begin daily patrols on Friday, June 20th.

Our 2025 team is: Connor Frazel (year 3), Christiana Fontaine (year 3), Julia Frommeyer (year 2), and introducing for their first summer, Jack Rouhana & Jake Giorgio.

Please stop and say hello to them when you are Downtown.

Godfrey Windmill Grinding Day

Stop by Chase Park on Saturday, June 21st between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to see the Benjamin Godfrey Windmill in action! Wind conditions permitting, the mill will be set in motion and grind corn into cornmeal as part of Historic Chatham's History Month.

Preparations for getting the mill’s arms spinning, including putting the cloth on the sails, will begin at approximately 10 a.m.

Blue male and female figures running in front of a lighthouse

Chatham Harbor Run Sunday

The 44th Annual Chatham Harbor Run 10K race will be held Sunday, June 22nd beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the intersection of Crowell Road/Stepping Stones Road/Stony Hill Road. Registration will open at 6:30 a.m.

Runners will proceed south on Crowell Road, cross Route 28 onto Queen Anne, around Oyster Pond and out Stage Harbor Road onto Cedar Street. They will proceed onto Battlefield Road, to Champlain, onto Bridge Street, then turn north on Shore Road to Bar Cliff Ave. They will cross over Tip Cart Drive before turning north on Crowell Road to the finish line at Monomoy Regional Middle School.

To facilitate the race, several streets will need to be detoured, and traffic redirected. Residents who live on or near the race route should plan accordingly and expect delays. There will be uniformed Police Officers at several locations along the route to assist with traffic.

All of the above listed streets will be affected by temporary closings, “resident only” traffic and detours.

We appreciate the public’s patience with this highly attended event.

Please use caution while traveling along the race route.

Green tractor towing a yellow trailer on a beach

Beach Raking Update

At this time, due to the presence of nests and chicks of state-listed protected species, our Town's Beach Management Plan, directed by Mass Audubon, limits our beach raking to two days per week. Which beaches (Harding's Beach or Ridgevale & Cockle Cove) are raked will be determined by conditions.

Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority Go Card information Session

White sign with green lettering for Parking

Downtown Summer Parking

Heading Downtown this summer? Whether you're shopping, dining, or catching a Band concert, there is ample free parking close to it all.

Free Public Parking Lots:

Veterans Field – 1 Veterans Field Road

Chatham Community Center – 702 Main Street

Stage Harbor/Colonial Building – Access from Stage Harbor Rd & Main St

Town Office Lot – 549 Main Street

Chatham Bars Ave. at Kate Gould Park

Please note: No overnight parking is allowed on Main Street or in any Town-owned lots.

And don’t forget the Eldredge Garage Visitor Center Lot (365 Main Street) offers valet parking and shuttle service through October. And it’s FREE with a Town of Chatham Resident/Taxpayer Beach/Transfer Station/Combination sticker!

Fireworks at Veterans Field July 2nd

Important information regarding the July 2 fireworks at Veterans Field!

A safety zone will be established in front of the Fire Station where no pedestrians will be permitted. Spectators will not be permitted along Depot Rd. from Hitching Post Rd. to approximately the stairs going to the playground. Please do not put out chairs in this area during the day, they will be removed by Town staff.

Please respect no parking areas, barricades, the instructions of public safety personnel, and private property so that all may enjoy this event safely.

The Little League field adjacent to Veterans Field and the playground is a great and safe place to set up blankets and chairs. There will be additional lighting added to the Little League field for safe access before and after the fireworks display. If you are attending with children, this area has direct access to the playground as well.

Blue lighthouse with red stripes and gold stars behind it

Independence Day Parade Planning

It’s never too early to start planning for the holiday! Please keep the following parking and access restrictions in mind when making your plans to attend the Independence Day Parade.

The following parking restrictions will go into effect at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 4th for Chatham's Independence Day Parade:

No Parking – Tow zone – Main St from the Rotary to Shore Rd. on the south side

No Parking – Tow zone – Main St from the Rotary to Seaview St. on the north side

No Parking – Tow zone – Main St. from Tale of the Cod to Shore Rd.

No Parking – Tow zone – Crowell Rd to Stony Hill Rd. & Hitching Post Rd.

No Parking – Tow zone – Hitching Post, Tip Cart, Depot Rd.

After 2:30 am, chairs etc. can be placed on Main St. in the downtown area in the marked streetside parking areas. Anything placed prior to 2:30 am will be removed. The Town is not responsible for anything left on Main Street.

7:00 a.m. - Shore Road will close, with access for Parade and local traffic only. Access will be one way south bound to allow parade participants to line up and prepare. Officers will be in place to assist.

8:30 a.m. - Main Street (downtown) from the Rotary to Shore Rd. will be closed to vehicle traffic.

9:00 a.m. - Main Street (downtown) from Crowell Rd./Queen Anne Rd. closes to all traffic.

9:30 a.m. - The Parade steps off from Shore Rd./Main St. intersection. Enjoy!

Town seal with the silhouette of a speaker at a podium in the center

Upcoming Public Hearings

The Select Board will hold the following public hearing during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

June 24th

To consider a request for increased sewer flow of 266.55 gpd for 878-880 Main Street, Chatham, to accommodate a new floor plan consisting of 291 sf of retail space (14.55 gpd), 2 bedrooms (220 gpd), and 3-chair salon (300 gpd) which would result in a total of 534.55 gpd flow.

To consider increases to the current list of Town of Chatham Construction Permit fees for the following categories:

Building Permit Fees - Residential & Commercial
Other Related Building Permit Fees - Work Started Without a Permit; Underestimation of Work on a Permit; Outside Plan Review Costs; Shed Regulation; Unusual Situations Fee Calculation
Plumbing and Gas Permit Fees - Single Fixture – Residential and Commercial; Multiple Fixtures – Residential and Commercial
Electric Permit Fees - Residential & Emergency Call Outs

To consider increases to the Town’s water rates as follows:

Person in orange vest standing on a large pipe in the ground with an excavator in the background

Sewer Construction Update

No sewer related roadwork or closures are planned past June 27^th and through the months of July and August. Intermittent pumping station work may be needed during the summer but will be limited to site work only:

Independence Lane Pumping Station and Pond View West Pumping Station
Old Mill Boat Yard Pumping Station/Harbormasters Garage (608 Stage Harbor Road)
Mill Pond Pumping Station (85 Mill Pond Road)

Work for the week of June 23^rd – June 27^th:

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension

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

Mill Pond Pump Station

Continued site work is planned at the Mill Pond pumping station site (85 Mill Pond Road).

Cycling Through Summer Safely

Even a small accident will ruin your summer! When biking in Chatham remember:

Ride single file with traffic on roadways & bike routes.
Ride the Old Colony Rail Trail when possible. All users keep right, except to pass!
Walk bikes across streets & bike path crossings.
Wear reflective gear and use front and back lights if biking after dark.
Wear helmets! It’s the law for cyclists 16 and under and a smart choice for everyone.
Riding on downtown sidewalks is prohibited.
Bike racks are available in all Town parking lots to secure your ride.

Enjoy your summer safely!

Next Select Board Meeting - June 24, 2025 @ 5:00 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. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

II. Public Hearing

A. Water and Sewer Commissioners; Consider a request for increased sewer flow of 266.55 gpd for 878-880 Main Street, Chatham, to accommodate a new floor plan consisting of 291 square feet of retail space (14.55 gpd), 2 bedrooms (220 gpd), and 3-chair salon (300 gpd) which would result in a total of 534.55 gpd flow.

B. Consider Proposed Increases to Town Water Rates

C. Consider Proposed Construction Permit Fee Increases

III. Public Comments on Business Agenda

IV. Business Agenda

A. Proclamation Honoring the 65th Anniversary of the Chatham Railroad Museum

B. Consider License to Enter and Use Real Town Property

i. Chatham Community Center Law and Hardings Beach; Boot Camp Chatham, Mary Austin

ii. Chatham Community Center Aerobics Room; Circuit Training Fitness Class, Rachel Cook

iii. Chatham Community Center Aerobics Room; Adult Fitness Class, Susan Hunter

C. Lighthouse Beach Operations Plan - 2025 Staffing Update (Requested by Select Board Clerk Smith and Select Board Member Metters)- Potential Vote on 2025 Operations Plan Alternate.

D. Consider Approval of Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the “Trust”) Financing Agreement

E. Consider Approval of FY2026 Orleans Adult Supportive Day Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Town of Orleans - Rock Harbor Respite (RHR) Program

F. Update on the Year One of the Community Services Behavioral Health Clinical Program

G. Review of RFP Design Guidelines Scope of Work for the Former Ellis Property at 127 Old Harbor Road and Timeline for Completion of Work (Continued from April 15, 2025)

H. Consider Appointments/Reappointments

i. Energy and Climate Action Committee

ii. Historic Business District Commission

iii. Planning Board

iv. Human Services Committee

v. Parks and Recreation Commission

vi. Shellfish Advisory Committee

vii. Waterways Advisory Committee

I. Town Manager’s Monthly Report – May 2025

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!

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