Eight lit candles in a metal candle holder

To all who will begin celebrating Hanukkah on Sunday - may this
Festival of Lights bring you blessings!

Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Received

We are pleased to announce that the Chatham Fire Department has been awarded $13,367.45 by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Department of Fire Services. This competitive grant process provides the Department with supplemental funds for the purchase of critical life safety equipment.

The Chatham Fire Department will utilize these funds, to supplement existing capital funds, for the purchase of three full ensembles of firefighting protective gear, including pants, boots, jacket, protective hood, helmet, and gloves. Additionally, the department was approved to purchase two sets of ballistic equipment, including vests and helmets, to improve firefighter safety during responses to potentially hostile incidents.

Thank you to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Department of Fire Services for the past and continued support offered to the Town of Chatham and the efforts these agencies make to provide for safer working conditions for firefighters across the Commonwealth.

Water Bills Are On The Way

After a delay in issuing water bills due to a change in billing vendors, water bills for September's readings will be issued on December 20th with a due date of January 19th. The bills for October's and November's readings will follow shortly thereafter.

We thank everyone for their patience as our new vendor worked through the transition.

Aerial view of Stage Harbor entrance channel

Seaport Economic Council Funding

On Tuesday, December 13th Town Manager Jill Goldsmith and Coastal Resources Director Ted Keon traveled to Plymouth to join Lieutenant Governor and Chair of the Seaport Economic Council Karyn Polito for the review and awarding of over $11 million through 24 grants to Massachusetts coastal communities.

They accepted $235,000 from the Seaport Economic Council to fund the Town's Comprehensive Dredging and Disposal Permit. The Town has received $2,080,000 in grants from the Seaport Economic Council for coastal facility projects and dredging to date.

Senior woman sitting in a chair wearing a white sweater talking on the phone.

Reassurance Program Enrollment

The Police Department, in conjunction with the Council on Aging and the Fire/Rescue Department, is pleased to offer the Reassurance Program to members of our community of all ages, especially seniors, persons with disabilities, those who live alone, those who act as caretakers for someone in their household, or anyone that has challenges that put them at increased risk in their homes..

Participation in this free program is voluntary. Members of the program call a designated telephone number at the Police Department daily between 5-10 a.m. If a member has not called in by 10 a.m. a call is placed to the participant. If no contact is made, an officer is sent to the participant's residence to ensure they are alright. If the officer has reason to believe the participant is home but unable to answer the phone or come to the door, entry will be made to the residence.

If you have questions about the program or need assistance in registering please call the Police Department at 508-945-1213 or Center for Active Living at 508-945-5190. Registration forms are also available on the Town's website.

Two men and three women standing at Chatham Municipal Airport holding an oversized check.

From left, Tim and Chris Howard, along with Huntley Harrison (Chatham Airport Commission chair) presented Pat Vreeland and Theresa Malone of the Chatham Children’s Fund with a check for $6,550 from The Friends of Chatham Airport, which raised the funds to support the annual program to provide gifts and warm clothes to local kids.

Mooring Permit & Waitlist Renewals

Mooring Permit and Waitlist renewals are due December 31st.
Renew now so you don't forget during the holiday frenzy!

Free COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy over the holidays by testing for COVID-19 before attending gatherings of family and friends.

Chatham's Average Daily Incidence Rate of reported COVID-19 cases is 15.9, the third highest of the 15 Cape towns. Barnstable County's rate is 13.4 and the State-wide average is 12.1.

Free test kits for Chatham residents are available from the Health Department located at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

Community Center Holiday Hours

The Community Center will close at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 24th and remain closed through Sunday December 25th. It will be open for abbreviated hours on Monday, December 26th until 4 p.m.

A tangled string of multi-colored holiday lights

Holiday Lights Recycling Collection

Barnstable County's Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and AmeriCorps Cape Cod have partnered with all 15 Cape towns to recycle holiday string lights. You can drop off most holiday lights (rope, garland, mini, LED) in the designated bin at the Transfer Station. Sorry, lights attached to trees, or other fixtures such as lighted angels, stars, etc. cannot be accepted. The lights will be stripped down and as much material as possible will be recycled. The collection bin will remain at the Transfer Station through January.

Green wreath on Railroad Museum's door and holiday lights in the window.

Railroad Museum Open First Night

The Chatham Railroad Museum invites you to stop by on First Night from 1- 4 p.m. to visit the museum and caboose and check out two special exhibits.

A "O" gauge train will be in operation and a special train themed exhibit of all First Night buttons from its inception 32 years ago to the present. The Museum is also decked out with festive decorations to enjoy.

The Museum is conveniently located between First Night venues at the Community Center and Elementary School.

Next Select Board Meeting - Dec. 20, 2022 @ 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
December 13, 2022

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Public Comments on Business Agenda

IV. Business Agenda (Board Discussion Items)

A. Consider Requests for Special One Day Alcohol Permits; Creative Arts Center, 154 Crowell Road; January 8, 2023, 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Feb. 5, 2023, 4p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; March 5, 2023, 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

B. 11/15/22 Select Board Committee Review Follow-up – Consider Expanding Energy and Climate Action Committee Membership

C. New Fishermen’s Storage Area Project Update (Director of Natural Resources Dr. Robert Duncanson)

D. Stepping Stones Property Housing Test Fits (Housing & Sustainability Director Gloria McPherson)

E. Convene Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees Meeting

V. Executive Session of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees – MGL Chapter 30A, §21 #6
To consider the purchase, exchange, taking, lease, or value of real property (Private Property Acquisition for Affordable/Attainable Housing – Request for Proposals Submission) if such discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the governmental body 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!

Town of Chatham website www.chatham-ma.gov