American flag flying at half staff against a blue sky

Half Staff Notice

Please be advised that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from November 14, 2024, until sunset on the day of interment, in honor of the life and legacy of former State Representative Gloria Lavera Fox, who passed away on November 12, 2024.

This gubernatorial order applies to the main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls, other state-owned or state-controlled buildings, and all state military installations.

Chatham Receives GFOA Award

Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Town of Chatham for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. This is the third consecutive year Chatham has received this award.

The Town’s financial report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the Town’s Finance Department.

Congratulations to Finance Director Carrie Mazerolle and her team!

West Chatham Neighborhood Buildout Work Session

In response to the presentation on the West Chatham Neighborhood Center Build Out Analysis received from BSC Group at its October 28th meeting, the Planning Board is holding a dedicated work session on Monday, November 18th, beginning at 2 p.m. in the small meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road. Due to a previously scheduled meeting in the small conference room the Planning Board anticipates that the meeting will end at 3:45 p.m.

The work session will provide the Planning Board members the opportunity to ask questions of the consultant on the Analysis. The public will have the chance to ask questions of the consultants at the conclusion of the session and to provide additional input to the Planning Board on the Analysis at its next meeting on Monday, November 25th beginning at 5 p.m.

Holiday Shopping Fair at the Community Center on November 23 from 9am to 2pm

Select Board and Town Manager seated at the dais in a meeting room

Select Board Action - November 12th

Public Works Director Rob Faley updated the Board on the status of the Town’s drinking water wells. Construction on the permanent treatment facility for Wells 5 & 8 continues. Well 11 is online and the process for a conservation easement for Well 10 is underway. No alarms were triggered for low-levels in the water storage tanks in October and wells were averaging 8-10 hours of pumping per day. Well 6 is offline pending water quality test results. Total gallons pumped in October 2024 were up 2.5 million gallons over 2023, likely due to the warm weather. Ground water levels for Cape & Islands have not yet triggered the declaration of drought status which the MA Department of Environmental Protection has declared to some degree in the rest of the Commonwealth.

The Water & Sewer and Sewer Advisory Committee (WSAC) recommended the Town purchase grinder pumps with extended warranties of at least 5 years, insulated covers, and equipped with hook-ups for temporary generators in bulk to achieve a reduced price and ensure standardization of pumps throughout Town. The pumps would be provided at no cost to property owners required to connect to low pressure systems and at the discounted price to property owners on a gravity system that, for various reasons, may need a pump installed. The WSAC recommended the Town develop a list of qualified installers to be provided to homeowners for their information. The WSAC recommended the Town contract with a service provider to ensure consistent repairs at a negotiated price throughout Town.

It was noted that an estimated 1,000 properties on low pressure systems may require grinder pumps. That number may be reduced if additional gravity system installation is possible rather than low pressure systems.

A man standing beside two black grinder pumps

Man standing beside two grinder pumps for scale.

The Summer Residents Advisory Committee (SRAC) recommended the Town bear the costs to acquire and install all grinder pumps as proposed in the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. The SRAC recommended the Town bear the costs and responsibility for repairs to grinder pumps subject to limitations such as improper use or abuse of pump by property owner, provide emergency pump outs during power outages, replace the pump core at end of useful life, and reimburse those property owners who have already installed grinder pumps.

Select Board received public comments on the recommendations and discussed the additional financial information needed to consider adopting a policy on grinder pumps. Town Manager Jill Goldsmith said staff would draft a policy/process with available options for the Board to consider.

The Select Board voted unanimously to approve the waiver of local building permit fees for Monomoy Community Services’ proposed facility renovation.

Town Manager Goldsmith introduced proposed amendments to the Board’s 2019 Encroachments on Town Property Policy. She noted that the Policy is different from General Bylaw §208-16 Roadside Obstructions passed in 2015. The proposed amendments to the Policy, if adopted, would provide greater flexibility in how encroachments are addressed and introduces the option of a License to Use Town Real Property for those instances in which the Select Board agrees to allow encroachment to continue instead of removal and restoration of Town property. It was suggested that the proposed appeal period be extended from 30 to 60 days. After hearing from several property owners about their specific circumstances, the Select Board voted to approve the proposed amendments with an additional amendment to extend the appeal period to 60 days.

Several Special One-Day liquor licenses were approved for upcoming events and requests from five restaurants holding seasonal liquor licenses to extend their operations were approved.

Appointments were made to the Board of Health and the Chatham/Harwich Wastewater Intermunicipal Agreement Advisory Board.

The meeting may be viewed in its entirety through Chatham TV's on-demand archive.

Chatham seal with silhouette of a speaker at a podium in the middle.

Upcoming Public Hearings

The Select Board will hold the following public hearings at 5:30 p.m. in the large meeting room of the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road:

November 19th

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 50’ +/- of 1-3” PVC conduit encased in concrete from proposed handhole HH9/H35A to new customer installed handhole HH9/H35B to provide new underground service to 390 Old Harbor Road.

December 3rd

To consider an application for an Alteration of Premise to the Seasonal All Alcoholic Beverages License for Peter Higgins d/b/a Dogfish Taco Co, 22 Barnhill Road, Chatham, to add a service bar trailer to the existing patio.

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

National GIS Day November 20th

Since 1999, the third Wednesday in November is designated as National GIS Day to celebrate the technology of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and to encourage the public to discover and understand the benefits of GIS.

GIS connects data to a map creating geospatial information. Data sets are used to create layers which may be viewed individually or in conjunction with additional layers on an interactive map to provide the user with a range of information, limited only by the data available. GIS is used globally across industries to track changes over time, solve problems, and make better decisions.

Chatham’s GIS Planner Kristen Caruso works with multiple Town Departments, Town committees, and the Town’s engineers and contractors to gather data and create new layers and custom maps for a wide variety of uses from tracking erosion over time, to mapping flood prone areas, to indicating where fire hydrants are located. The public is invited to access the Town’s GIS portal to discover all the information available.

GIS information may be viewed on several platforms. Currently the Town utilizes MapsOnline but is in the process of transitioning established layers to ESRI software which will allow for a more modern and robust experience for all users. Watch this space for notice when the transition is complete and the announcement of new layers and maps when they are made available.

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

Sewer/Road Construction Update

November 18th – November 22nd

Morton Road/Meetinghouse Road Sewer Extension Project

Site work and paving are expected at Pump Station #3 on Meetinghouse Road and site work is expected to continue at Pump Station #4 (Morton Road). Final milling and paving is expected mid-week on Balfour Lane. Police details will be on site to assist motorists; access may be limited.

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Extension Project

Continued site work is expected at the pumping station site at Old Mill Boat Yard/Harbormasters Garage. Pavement preparation and paving is expected on Honeysuckle Lane and Cedar Swamp Lane (North and South). Police details will be on-site to assist motorists; access may be limited.

Mill Pond Pumping Station

Sewer work on Mill Pond Road will continue. Road closures are expected on both Mill Pond Road and Homestead Lane, local traffic only. Police details will be on-site to assist motorists. Work associated with the Mill Pond Pumping Station will close access to the Town Landing.

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

Sewer and water work on Pond View Avenue/Pond View West will continue. Police details will be on-site to assist residents; access will be limited

Stormwater Improvement Projects

Soil boring is expected to be conducted on Eliphamets Lane and Fox Hill Road for upcoming stormwater improvement designs. Police details will be on-site. Partial-day road closure is expected on Eliphamets Lane.

Paving

Paving is planned on Old Harbor Road and Seaview Street. Schedule is pending and weather dependent. Police details will be on-site to assist residents. Drainage work is expected on Seaview Street. Paving on Old Harbor Road and Seaview Street is dependent upon the completion of the drainage work. Road closures and detours on Seaview Street are expected. Police detail(s) will be onsite to assist residents.

Public Comments Sought on Striped Bass Management Options

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) released the most recent stock assessment of striped bass in October. Unfortunately, the assessment, despite some positive indications, was not promising and there is the prospect of additional striped bass fishery restrictions in the coming years, possibly as soon as 2025.

After reviewing the assessment, ASMFC’s Striped Bass Management Board scheduled a special meeting on December 16, 2024 to further review the need and options for new regulations for 2025. The Management Board’s scientific advisors are reviewing catch estimates for 2024, updating their scenarios on the direction the stock may be headed, and analyzing possible management measures including but not limited to changes to recreational size limits or seasons and commercial quotas. This information will be released as a technical report in early December.

Prior to the Management Board’s meeting, an informational webinar will be held on December 5, 2024 for the public to review the technical report.

While public comments will not be accepted during the informational webinar, submission of written public comments on the technical report and possible management measures is encouraged. The deadline for submitting written comments is December 10, 2024.

Light blue capital A in a darker blue square "at the Atwood" imposed over it in white

Best Bake Sale in History

Don't miss the Best Bake Sale in History! at the Atwood Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road, on Tuesday, November 26th beginning at 9 a.m.

A variety of pies are available for pre-order through the Museum's website but more pies, breads and cookies will be available on the day. The sale will continue until it is sold out, rolling into Wednesday, November 27th, if necessary, BUT don't count on it!

The Musem Shop will also hold its annual Historic Hauls Sale! Many items will be marked down so stop in and look around.

Next Select Board Meeting - November 19, 2024 @ 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. Public Announcements and Agenda Requests

II. Public Hearings

A. Utility Hearing; To Install 50’ +/- 1-3” PVC Conduit Encased in Concrete from Proposed Handhole HH9/H35A to New Customer Installed Handhole HH9/H35B at 390 Old Harbor Road – Marissa Jackson, Eversource

III. Public Comments on Business Agenda

IV. Business Agenda

A. Special One-Day Alcohol Licenses

i. Chatham Walkers, Chatham Community Center, Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Maryellen Lorefice

ii. Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, 1566 Main Street, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm – Brigid Krug

iii. Michaels Fine Jewelry, Inc. 579 Main Street, Friday, December 13, 2024 from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm (Holiday Stroll) – Marina Burris

iv. The Black Dog, 628 Main Street, Friday, December 13, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm (Holiday Stroll) – Charmane Curry

v. The Black Dog, 628 Main Street, Saturday, December 31, 2024 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (First Night) – Charmane Curry

vi. Bon Matin, 610 Main Street, Friday, December 13, 2024 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Holiday Stroll) – Maureen Finnerty

vii. If The Shoe Fits, 442 Main Street, Friday, December 13, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm (Holiday Stroll) – Ceci Hadawar

viii. If The Shoe Fits, 442 Main Street, Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm – Ceci Hadawar

ix. Chatham Clothing Bar, 534 Main Street, Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm – Emma Carroll

B. Consider Sale of Goods on Town Property; Chatham Men’s Club, Friday, November 22, 2024 at the Chatham Community Center from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - John Kosian, Chatham Men’s Club President

C. Seasonal Shellfish Openings; Mill Creek, Taylor’s Pond, Champlain Creek, Oyster Pond, Muddy Creek, and Buck’s Creek – Shellfish Constable Renée Gagne

D. Consider Request for Use of Town Resources on December 31, 2024 – First Night Chatham – Paul Stuka, Chair, First Night Chatham

E. Encroachments on Town Property; Consider Licenses to Enter and Use Town Real Property – 37 Blackberry Lane and 38 Blackberry Lane – Town Manager Jill Goldsmith

F. Appointments

i. Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee

G. Town Manager’s Report – October 2024 – Town Manager Jill Goldsmith

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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