Select Board Goals & Objectives Set

The Select Board met on Saturday, January 27th for a second and final workshop to set its Goals and Objectives for FY2025/CY2024.

Goals were set in the areas of Year-Round Housing; Educational Excellence; Fostering a Vibrant and Sustainable Local Economy; Environmental Conservation, Coastal Resiliency, and Natural Resources; Water Management; and Responding Effectively to the Needs of a Diverse, Welcoming and Livable Chatham. Long and short term objectives were developed to achieve the stated goals.

The Board also developed a Vision Statement: Chatham in 2030 will be a forward-looking, engaged, and inclusive community of of demographically diverse year-round citizens that maintains a unique integration of preservation of its pristine environment, promotion of a healthy economy, fiscally responsible and responsive leadership, and a welcoming environment for all to Chatham.

The adopted goals and objectives are available for review on the Board's webpage and the recording of the workshop is available through the Chatham TV archive.

Weather Station on a tripod in a saltmarsh

Carbon Export Monitoring In Marshes

On January 30th the Select Board approved a proposal from a team of scientists from Old Dominion University,the United States Geological Society and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to measure dissolved carbon exports from tidal salt marshes at Harding's and Cockle Cove beaches over the next two years.

The team will place temporary PVC groundwater monitoring wells and continuous monitoring equipment including a variety of sensors, related solar panels and batteries, and a weather station in the marsh at Harding's Beach from April - November 2024 and in the marsh at Cockle Cove from April - November 2025. The two sites will serve as important comparisons for the project team's planned work at other sites across the Cape and throughout New England.

Outline of a house and key in blue on a background of sand

Deadline to Register STR Approaching

The deadline to register your short-term rental (STR) for the 2024 summer season is Friday, March 1^st.

The registry is required under the Board of Health’s Short Term Rental Regulations adopted on April 24, 2023. The registration fee per property is $50. The local registration is in addition to required registration with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

The link to access the online registry is located on the Health Division’s webpage and under the “How Do I – Apply” section on the Town’s website home page.

While registrants are required to sign an affidavit attesting to their property meeting the requirements of the Regulations, please note inspections are not currently required prior to the issuance of a rental certificate. However, the Town reserves the right to inspect a property as needed to address any concerns identified in the registration process or complaints made by a tenant.

Individuals with questions on the Short-term Regulations should contact Health Agent Judith Giorgio at 508-945-5165 or via email.

Pooted plant workshop at the Center for Active Living on Feb 12 at 1 pm

Team Chatham Wants You! Dive into Municipal Finance with Our Assistant Treasurer/Collector Role!

Are you a finance enthusiast with a knack for numbers? Team Chatham is on the lookout for a detail-oriented professional to step into the role of Assistant Treasurer/Collector. From crafting bills to managing refunds and reconciling balances, this position offers a dynamic entry point into municipal finance. As part of the Chatham Municipal Employees Association, you'll enjoy a 40-hour workweek with a starting annual salary of $65,145.60 – $67,787.20 (plus a 3% cost-of-living increase on July 1, 2024). This is your chance to make a mark in a career that matters!

Why Join? Beyond the numbers, this role provides an excellent opportunity to pursue certification through the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association, setting you on a path of professional growth. Take the plunge into a role where attention to detail is celebrated, and your contributions make a real impact on Chatham's financial landscape.

How to Apply: Ready to dive in? Submit your cover letter and resume in one PDF to jobs@chatham-ma.gov, attention Megan Downey, Human Resources Director. Act fast – the position will remain open until filled, with the first review on February 16, 2024. Join Team Chatham and bring your numbers game to a community that values your expertise!

ADA/EO/AAE.

February Flash - Have it Your Way; Video, Digital, or Print

The Flash, monthly newsletter from the Council on Aging is available in a variety of formats to suit your preference.

You can watch the video version featuring Program and Communications Coordinator Anna Milan as she reviews the month's upcoming programs (and bonus! interviews a member of the Chatham community).

You can access the digital version on the Council on Aging's webpage or subscribe to have it delivered directly to your inbox through our website's Notify Me! feature. Just enter your email address and click on the envelope icon next to The Flash.

If you prefer to receive a hard copy in the mail, call 508-945-5190 or email Mariann Miller to sign-up.

A desk top with a computer calculator and tax forms on it

AARP Tax Aide Returns

Income tax filing season is here again and AARP Tax Aide will be offering Federal and State income tax preparation and filing services free to anyone of any age through the Council on Aging (COA). You do not have to be a an AARP member to benefit from this program, however, Tax Aide services are focused on low and moderate income taxpayers.

Tax preparation is by appointment only and services will begin in early February and be offered on Tuesday and Wednesdays at the Community Center through the mid-April filing deadline. Call the COA at 508-945-5190 to make your appointment.

Town of Chatham Seal with a silhouette of a person at a podium in the center

Upcoming Public Hearings

The Select Board will hold the following public hearings during its regularly scheduled meetings beginning at 5;30 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road with remote participation available through the link in the posted agenda.

February 13

To consider a request from Animal Control Officer Diane Byers, pursuant to Town Bylaws Chapter 115, Section 6(f) regarding complaints of a nuisance dog at 48 Sylvan Way.

To listen to concerns over the proposed removal of public shade trees in accordance with MGL Chapter 87. The subject trees are Sycamore Maples, approximately (2) 28' and (1) 32" in diameter and are located within the Town Right of Way along Old Harbor Road adjacent to 19 Old Wharf Road.

February 20

To consider a request for a Change of Premise to the Annual All Alcoholic Beverages Hotel/Innkeepers license for TPG Chatham Beverages d/b/a The Chatham Wayside Inn, 512 Main Street.

To consider a request for a new Seasonal Wine & Malt Beverages Only Restaurant license for OPADAD LLC d/b/a Elwood's Raw Bars, 309 Orleans Road.

To consider a request for a Change of Class from Seasonal to Annual All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant license for TPJ Restaurant Group d/b/a Pates Restaurant, 1260 Main Street.

Independence House hours at the Center for Active Living Feb 8 9 am to 11 am

Ask the Town Manager

Do you have a question about Town government or are curious about how or why it works the way it does? Are you interested to know the status of a project?

Please email your question to Shanna Nealy and we will use this space to bring the answers to you.

Cable Line-Up Changes Again!

As Chatham TV's local cable access programming moves to high-definition, Xfinity will move our channel to Comcast 1072 from 1070 on February 14th. Our standard definition channel will remain on Comcast 8.

Instagram Account Launched

Follow the Town of Chatham on Instagram!

The Town's newest social media account was activated on January 20th. You can now follow us at townofchatham where we will be continuing our efforts to improve communications with our community members.

Red white and blue buttons with Vote written on them in the middle

Presidential Primary is March 5th

The Massachusetts Presidential Primary is Tuesday, March 5th. Polls will be open at the Community Center, 712 Main Street, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The last day to register to vote in the Primary is Saturday, February 24th. The Town Clerk's Office, 549 Main Street, will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day for in-person registration. You may also register to vote in Massachusetts online.

In-person early voting will take place at the Town Offices, 549 Main Street, from February 24th through March 1st. Hours to be determined.

The last day to apply to Vote by Mail is Tuesday, February 27th at 5 p.m. The deadline to apply to vote in-person absentee is Monday, March 4th at 12 noon.

2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Program Public Review

The Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) released the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment 1 for a 21-day public review and comment period on January 22nd.

The FFY2024-2028 TIP Amendment 1 would revise the listing of Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority projects to reflect changes to planned projects for FFY2024, add a Steamship Authority Woods Hole Terminal Solar Power Project, and add a Community Transit planning grant that was awarded to Outer Cape Community Solutions. The TIP serves as a prioritized listing of roadway, bridge, and transit projects proposed for implementation during the next five (5) federal fiscal years.

Comments will be accepted through February 12th via mail/hand delivery to Cape Cod Commission Transportation Program, Colleen Medeiros, Transportation Program Manager, 3225 Main Street, PO Box 226, Barnstable, MA 02630-0226; fax to 508-362-3136, Attention Collen Medeiros; or email to Colleen Medeiros with TIP in the subject line.

A virtual public meeting of the Cape Cod MPO is scheduled for Monday, February 26th at 1:00 p.m. to hear public comments and vote for potential endorsement. More information on this meeting can be found on the Cape Cod MPO website.

Blue square with lighter blue capital A offset to the left with at the Atwood in light blue across it

Tuesday Talks at the Atwood

Make your reservations today for a lively and engaging talk with local author Julie Gerstenblatt on Tuesday, February 13th at 5 p.m. at the Atwood House Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road.

While Gerstenblatt has been writing in various forms for years, her new book Daughters of Nantucket marks her debut as a traditionally published author. She will explain how she took the seed of an idea from history and developed it into a novel. She will discuss her writing process and the creation of her characters, and touch on the novel's structure while highlighting some of the research involved. The talk will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.

Tickets are available by reservation through the Chatham Historical Society's website. Fee is $10 for non-members. The event is free for members of the Historical Society.

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