Cyanobacteria Advisory Posted

On October 5, 2023, the Town received notification from APCC of a visible algal bloom/scum in Goose Pond observed, which may signal the presence of elevated levels of cyanotoxin.

A public health advisory has been posted at the Pond as recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) due to toxin concerns.

Do not swim, wade, or come in contact with the water, scum, foam or algae at Goose Pond, and keep pets from swimming in pond.

Seek medical attention if you or family members are experiencing illness after swimming or playing in water. Recreational waters containing cyanotoxin at levels exceeding the state’s guidelines for issuing a Health Advisory can put you at risk of various adverse health effects including upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea.

Pets may be vulnerable to adverse health effects of cyanotoxins. Contact a veterinarian if your pet shows signs of illness after swimming in or contacting water at Goose Pond.

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/

Aerial view of shoaling along the Chatham shoreline

Coastal Resilience Grants Awarded

On Monday, October 2nd the Town was awarded two grants by the Office of Coastal Zone Management through the Coastal Resilience Grant Program.

The first is for $94,540 to complete the environmental permitting for Temporary Flow Training Structures and beach nourishment. The Temporary Flow Training Structures will redirect tidal currents to address shoreline erosion and shoaling near Stage Harbor and Morris Island. This project, which was initially presented to the Select Board on November 22, 2022, will help stabilize the channel and barrier beach system, improving navigability and storm damage protection.

The second grant is received on behalf of the Pleasant Bay Alliance to complete permitting, monitoring, and construction documents to advance implementation of a living shoreline to protect Jackknife Beach. This project, with initial funding through the Community Preservation Act, will restore the fringing salt marsh adjacent to the public access area to build resilience to erosion and sea level rise.

SAVE THE DATE:

Ted Keon, Director of Coastal Resources will hold a public information session on the Temporary Flow Training Structures on Tuesday, October 24th at 5:30 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex.

Large yellow roller truck on fresh black asphalt

Bridge Street Paving Scheduled

Roadwork will begin on Bridge Street On Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

Work will include reclaiming the road surface followed by two courses of paving from the intersection of Bridge Street and Morris Island Road west to just before the Mitchell River Bridge. The work is expected to take four days but is weather dependent.

Details will be in place to allow for alternating two-way traffic, but delays should be expected. Motorists should avoid the area, if possible, particularly those with low ground clearance vehicles.

The public’s patience is appreciated as this necessary work is completed.

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

Sewer Construction Update

Road work continues on sewer-related projects during the week October 9^th – October 13^th

Route 137 – Morton Road

Drainage improvement work will begin on Balfour Lane. A Police detail will be on-site to assist residents with access. Site work is expected to continue at Pump Station #3 (Meetinghouse Road) and Pump Station #4 (Twine Field Drive).

Crowell Road Phase 2 and Chatham Fish Pier

No work will take place on Monday, October 9^th. Paving is tentatively scheduled at the intersection of Tip Cart Drive near the intersection with Barcliff Avenue on Tuesday, October 10^th. If the work necessitates a complete road closure, traffic will be detoured via Crowell Road to Main Street to Old Harbor Road to Orleans Road to Stony Hill Road. Following the work on Tip Cart Drive, paving is tentatively scheduled in the front lot of the Department of Public Works Facility. No impacts to traffic are expected.

Queen Anne Pumping Station

No work will take place on Monday, October 9^th. Site work at pump station site expected (40 Queen Anne Road; south side of Queen Anne Road and Oyster Pond Furlong intersection).

Public Hearing on Real Estate Transfer Fee

The MA Legislature’s Joint Committee on Revenue will hold a hybrid public hearing on H2915: An Act establishing a real property transfer fee in the Town of Chatham on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 11:00.

Approval of this Act will create an additional revenue source for the creation of affordable and attainable housing in Chatham by imposing a fee equal to one half percent (½%) of the purchase price paid upon the transfer of any interest in real property of $2,000,000 or more, payable by the purchaser. Certain transfers would be exempt from the fee, including intra-family transfers.

The filing of this Home Rule Petition was approved by a substantial majority by 2021 Annual Town Meeting (Article 21) and its re-filing was approved unanimously by 2022 Annual Town Meeting (Article 48).

Written testimony may be submitted via email to JointCommittee.Revenue@malegislature.gov.

Those who wish to virtual or in-person oral testimony must sign-up via email to Ryan Sterling at ryan.sterling@mahouse.gov and include name, in-person or virtual, bill number, whether support or oppose and whether you represent yourself or an organization. All oral testimony is limited to 3 minutes.

Volunteers Needed to Serve

Do You Love A Parade?

Who doesn't? Especially the Town's Independence Day Parade!

The Independence Day Parade Committee is seeking volunteers who are interested in being part of the planning and execution of this hugely popular annual event. If you have a background in event planning, logistics, or just want to be part of the action, please consider applying! It's easy to submit your application online.

Gold cod fish in a blue circle with County of Barnstable Massachusetts in a white circle around it

Interested in Human Rights?

The Select Board is interested in appointing a Town liaison to the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission and will accept applications from any interested parties until November 7th.

The mission of the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission (BCHRAC), first established by the County in 2007, is to uphold, promote and protect the inherent dignity and the inalienable rights of individuals in Barnstable County.

The BCHRAC believes that all persons living, working and visiting Barnstable County are entitled to a social and legal order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in local and state legal frameworks, as well as human rights instruments, are fully realized.

The Commission also has 3 open seats: 1 Commissioner and 2 Alternates. Anyone interested in serving on the Commission can learn more about it on the BCHRAC website.

Recruitment information for the BOCH CERT Training in October 2023

Columbus Day Hours

Town Offices and the Community Center will be closed on Monday, October 9th for the Columbus Day holiday. The Transfer Station will be open regular operating hours on Monday, October 9th.

Trees marked with yellow tape with a laminated notice posted on a stake next to them

Open Enrollment for Medicare assistance available through the Center for Active Living by calling 508-945-5190

Graphic of woman blowing nose with virus icons around her

Register for Vaccination Clinic

The Town will hold a drive through vaccination clinic on Thursday, October 19th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Department of Public Works, 221 Crowell Road.

Flu and COVID-19 (if available) vaccinations will be administered.

Registration is required and available online. Please wear short sleeves or a sleeveless shirt and leave pets at home. Questions? Call the Health Division at 508-945-5165.

Cartoon image of bottles and cans containing pesticides and other toxins.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Another rainy Saturday is in our forecast. Why not spend some of your indoor time clearing out any household hazardous waste from your basement, garage, or under the kitchen sink.

The final Household Hazardous Waste collection of 2023 for the towns of Brewster, Chatham and Harwich will take place at the Harwich Transfer Station, 209 Queen Anne Road on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Help protect our local drinking water supply by safely disposing of paints, polishes, stains, pesticides and herbicides, cleaners and chemicals, and automotive and boat fluids.

For more comprehensive list of disposable items, visit www.loveyourlocalwater.org.

Oktoberfest Expands the Festivities

Oktoberfest festivities continue to grow!

The Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association annual celebration of fall will be held on Saturday, October 21st from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Kate Gould Park and adjacent parking lot off Chatham Bars Avenue and in the Town Office parking lot at 549 Main Street. Both locations will have food, drinks, vendors and live music.

The entire parking lot off Chatham Bars Avenue will be dedicated as event area and no parking will be allowed along Chatham Bars Avenue. The lot at the Town Offices will only be accessible from Kent Place. The entrances from Main Street and Cross Street will be barricaded to create an event area away from vehicle traffic. The back half of the lot only will be available for parking.

Halloween Egg Hunt at the Chatham Community Center on October 28 from 1-2:30 p.m. Registration Required

Breakfast at the Batwood

Celebrate Halloween on October 28th, when the "B"Atwood Museum opens its doors to ghosts, ghouls, witches, and children. Families can come dressed in their favorite costumes, enjoy a Halloween-themed breakfast, before wandering the haunted halls and enjoying some spooky stories in the museum’s galleries.

There will be two time-slots for this event: 9AM and 11AM. Reservations are required, please sign up online or give us a call at (508) 945-2493.

Tickets are available by reservation at chathamhistoricalsociety.org

Next Select Board Meeting

FY2025 Budget Summit - October 17, 2023 @ 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#.

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