Seasonal Communities Designation

Draft Regulations

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has released draft regulations to implement the new Seasonal Communities designation, created under the Affordable Homes Act.

These regulations, now open for public comment, are pivotal to how the Commonwealth supports communities that experience significant seasonal population shifts and housing pressures. Public comments are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 31st, and can be submitted via email to eohlcregulationcomments@mass.gov. Please include “Comments on 760 CMR 76” in the subject line.

Chatham’s 2025 Annual Town Meeting voted to accept this designation (Article 49). Towns with over 35% seasonal housing units are automatically eligible for the designation. Chatham’s seasonal housing units are currently estimated at 56%.

2025 Annual Town Meeting voters also approved Article 50 which authorized the Select Board to petition the General Court for special legislation to authorize the inclusion of Commercial Fishermen as a designated vocation for affordable and attainable housing preference in Chatham under Section32, Seasonal Communities, Subsection (D) of the Affordable Homes Act. This House Bill (H.4288), filed by State Representative Hadley Luddy and State Senator Julian Cyr has been referred to the Joint Committee on Housing.

Reminder: Muddy Creek Bridge Closure

The Muddy Creek Bridge (Route 28) will be temporarily closed to traffic tomorrow, Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The closure is necessary to accommodate a dedication ceremony honoring World War II veteran Joseph Conrad Blute. The dedication ceremony will take place on the bridge beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes during the closure period. Police details will be on site to assist with traffic.

Parking will be available primarily along Bay Road in Harwich and along the roadside parking area on Route 28 at Bay Road. Chatham Police will manage access to the Jackknife Beach parking lot.

Select Board Action - September 30th

The Select Board received an update from Chatham Delegate and Chair of the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates Randi Potash on the Assembly’s review of the Barnstable County Charter and efforts towards a regional luxury transfer fee on real estate transactions. She said the Commissioners voted to call for an elected Charter Review Committee. She said the Assembly of Delegates are exploring petitioning the State Legislature to allow the implementation of a regional luxury real estate transfer fee that towns could opt-in or opt-out of. She said 51% of the Assembly would be needed to move the initiative forward. The Board members expressed their thoughts on the initiative

The Board granted a Special One Day Alcohol License for Wine and Malt Beverages only to Jennifer Pearl as a representative of Mahi Gold Outfitters, 465 Main Street, for service on Saturday, October 18th from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

Assistant Assessor Candace Cook reviewed options currently available to property owners in Town which provide tax relief through exemptions, abatements, and deferrals for the public’s information. Town and community resources that offer other types of support and financial assistance were reviewed.

Resident Seth Taylor reviewed sections of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) available to the Town to adopt that would provide additional options for property tax relief to property owners. He noted that he had two citizen petitions ready for submission. He reviewed the language of the petition articles. He said another initiative would require the Board to place the question on the ballot. He discussed seeking special legislation allowing the combination of debt from tax title and tax deferrals for qualifying property owners. The Board referred further action to implement the adoption of the sections of MGL to the Town Manager for recommendations from staff.

The Board addressed the Community Housing Partnership’s request that it re-consider its vote of June 24th to approve design guidelines necessary for proceeding with the issuance of a Request for Proposals to develop/re-develop Town-owned property at the former Ellis property, 127 Old Harbor Road, for affordable and/or attainable ownership housing. The Select Board did not approve the Design Guidelines, effectively pausing the project’s progress. Chair of the Community Housing Partnership, Karolyn McClelland, asked the Board to move forward with the Design Guidelines to allow the project to move forward. She noted that any construction funding would have to be appropriated by Town Meeting so that voters would have a say in the final project. She noted that Town Meeting has already voted that the property be used for housing. Correspondence received from a local attorney stated that the Town was obligated to honor the property donor’s wishes versus the opinion of prior Town Counsel that any use restrictions had expired was discussed. The Board requested the advice of Town Counsel on whether or not the Board should proceed with the consideration of the Design Guidelines in light of the correspondence.

At the request of Clerk Stuart Smith, the Board held a discussion on Part IV, Section 4-7 of the Town’s Home Rule Charter related to the Administrative Powers and Duties of the Town Manager. Clerk Smith suggested that contracts covered in this section should be brought to the Select Board for approval. Town Manager Jill Goldsmith agreed and noted there are three employee agreements: Director of Finance, Fire Chief, Police Chief (also posted online). She said the agreement with Labor Counsel has been in place since 2012 and the most recent fee agreement was approved in February 2025. She said service is at will. The Board will vote to affirm Clifford & Kenny as Labor Counsel per the 2025 fee agreement at its October 14th meeting.

The Board appointed Hannah Smith to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees until June 30, 2026 unless sooner revoked or a successor is appointed.

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith reviewed the monthly report for August 2025. She noted the refreshed town website, ADA renovations in the Town Clerks and Treasurer/Collectors offices, October work anniversaries, and new hires and promotions.

The public is encouraged to watch the meeting in its entirety through Chatham TVs on-demand archive.

Upcoming Public Hearings

The Select Board will hold the following public hearings during their regularly scheduled meetings on Tuesdays, beginning at 5:00 p.m., in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

October 14

To consider a request for a new annual entertainment license for indoor concerts, live bands, and public shows including amplified live music for the Chatham Orpheum Theater at 637 Main Street, Chatham, MA.

All interested parties are encouraged to attend in-person or through the link in the posted agenda.

Haunted Cape Cod

Another chance to get into the spirit of the season is at the Atwood House Museum on October 7th at 5 p.m. for their October ‘Tuesday Talks’ lecture with Derek Bartlett who will share spooky tales of haunted happenings, stories, and locations of people and places around Cape Cod. He will discuss his work as a tour guide and researcher of paranormal activity in and around the Cape.

Mr. Bartlett is president of the Cape and Islands Paranormal Research Society and has been studying the paranormal for years; he founded Barnstable Haunted Tours in 2001. Today, some 400 people take part in the tours he gives each summer.

Tickets are available through the Museum’s website.

Turkey Trot Registration Open

Registration is open for the 21st Annual Turkey Trot to be held on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27th at 8 a.m.

Registration is available online at $35 per person through November 3rd. Register by October 24th and receive a free t-shirt! From November 4 to race day, registration is $45 per person.

T-shirts will be available for purchase on Thanksgiving morning at Oyster Pond for $25.

Pick-up your registration at Marathon Sports, 484 Station Avenue, Yarmouth on Tuesday, November 25th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; at the Chatham Community Center, 702 Main Street, on Wednesday, November 26th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; on Thanksgiving morning at Oyster Pond beginning at 7 a.m.

Check out the race route, find information on fundraising, and view the gallery from past events at https://chathamturkeytrot.com. All funds raised benefit the Lower Cape Outreach Council.