Holiday Closures

Town Offices, the Community Center, Center for Active Living and the Transfer Station will be closed on Wednesday, December 25th and Wednesday, January 1st for the holidays.

American flag flying at half staff against a blue sky

Half Staff Notification

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 beginning December 17, 2024, until sunset on the day of interment, in honor of the life and legacy of former Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti, who passed away on December 17, 2024.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city hall
Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings
All state military installations

Battlefield Road Drainage Work Monday

Drainage work will close access to the Battlefield Road Town Landing on Monday, December 23rd. Access to residential properties on Battlefield Road south of the Sears Road/Champlain Road intersection will not be affected.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this short duration closure.

Final Presentation & Public Forum on CFAL Renovation - January 7th

The Select Board and Council on Aging Board of Trustees will hold a joint meeting on January 7th at 5:30 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road, to receive the final presentation of the draft feasibility study to renovate the Center for Active Living (CFAL) and to hear input from the community in a Public Forum following the presentation.

Kurt Rayber, owner/partner at Catalyst Architecture/Interiors Inc., will present revised schematics and cost estimates based on the feed back received to previous presentations on the study held on March 18, 2024 and June 25, 2024. Plans, schematics, and cost estimates will be posted to the project’s webpage by Thursday, December 26th for the public’s review in advance of the Forum.

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

Select Board Action - December 17th

The Select Board met jointly with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees at the outset of its December 17th meeting. The Boards received an update from representatives of Pennrose LLC on plans to develop the Town-owned properties at 1533 Main Street and 0 Meetinghouse Road.

Rio Sachetti from Pennrose LLC and Paul Attemann from Union Studios Architecture discussed the meetings they have had to date with Town Committees and Commissions and those that are to be scheduled in advance of the filing of applications for comprehensive permits with the Zoning Board of Appeals for development of the properties. Mr. Attemann noted the changes to the original plans for 1533 Main Street based on feedback provided to date, these include additional parking, reduced frontage on Main Street of the community building, and identification of rooflines for solar panels. Mr. Attemann noted the survey of 0 Meetinghouse Road has been completed, which included additional information to better address redesigned access for abutting property owners.

Mr. Sachetti reviewed a timeline of expected milestones for the two projects, noting these assumptions are based on receiving approval for the financing of the projects.

Mr. Sachetti discussed the lottery process required by the State. He noted the request to the State will be for the maximum 70% local preference allowable.

The Select Board and Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees voted to release several sets of Executive Session meeting minutes on property acquisitions of 1533 Main Street, 0 Meetinghouse Road, 30 Ocean View Terrace, and 251 Crowell Road.

Director of Community Development Katie Donovan said staff had completed two walkthroughs of structures located at 127 Old Harbor Road. Building Commissioner Jay Briggs noted the history of the property since it was donated to the Town. He described the condition of the foundation, the first and second floor rooms, and attic. He said renovation would be possible but extensive. He said a structural engineer would be needed to determine the integrity of the foundation. The Board took no action.

The meeting of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees adjourned and the Select Board meeting continued with an update from Monomoy Regional School District Superintendent Scott Carpenter and Business Manager Michael MacMillan on the District’s Capital Improvement Plan and Middle School Siding Project. Mr. MacMillan noted the needs at the Regional Middle School and at Chatham Elementary School. He reviewed completed and ongoing capital projects at the District’s schools and provided a timeline for major projects over the upcoming five fiscal years that would require borrowing and others.

Needed repairs to the Middle School’s exterior siding were discussed. The need to replace the Middle School Roof was discussed. It was noted that the MA School Building Authority will cover approximately one-third of the cost of the roof replacement but does not offer funding for siding projects.

Director of Community Development Katie Donovan reviewed the request by the owners of the Chatham Inn to place two storage containers within the Eldredge Garage Parking Lot to facilitate renovation work on their building. A representative of the Inn requested the placement of two containers and explained they would be placed in the gravel area only and not in the paved portion of the lot January 2, 2025 through February 15, 2025.

The Select Board approved the temporary closing of an establishment (Knot’s Landing) holding an annual liquor license from March 16th to April 16th as required under the Local Alcoholic Beverages Regulations.

The Select Board approved the annual renewals for common victualler licenses; Auto Dealer Class I, II, & III licenses; Entertainment, Automatic Amusements, & Movie Theater licenses; and licenses for Inns and Lodging Houses.

The Town Manager’s monthly report for November 2024 was presented. Items of note included the Police Department’s Toys for Tots campaign, employee anniversaries in January, two internal promotions, and a new hire in the Parks & Grounds Division.

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

The Town is hiring a Finance Administrator

Town seal with the silhouette of a speaker at a podium in the center

Upcoming Public Hearings

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

January 14th

To consider a petition from Verizon New England Inc. and NSTAR Electric d/b/a Eversource Energy to place one (1) jointly owned pole, P.30.25, on the northerly side of Main Street to a point approximately 60' northwesterly from existing pole, P.30.50, and to a point approximately 37' southeasterly from existing pole. P.30. This additional pole is necessary to upgrade services for 365 Main Street.

To consider a petition from Verizon New England Inc and NSTAR Electric d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) JO pole P.14.5 on the westerly side of George Ryder Road (approximately 246 George Ryder Road) to a point approximately forty-one (41) feet northeasterly of existing pole, P.14.

To consider the installation of one additional stop sign with reflective tape on the pole to be placed on the opposite corner of the existing stop sign on Sam Ryder Road at its intersection with Main Street/Route 28.

To consider the transfer of the Annual All Alcoholic Beverages hotel license from Inn Partners LLC d/b/a The Inn at 359 Main, Jeff Ippoliti, Manager, to Chatham Inn Partners LLC d/b/a Chatham Inn, Adam Votaw, Manager, for the business located at 359 Main Street.

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

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

Sewer/Road Construction Update

December 23^rd – December 27^th

(No Work on December 25th)

Morton/Meetinghouse Road Sewer Extension Project

Site work at Pump Station #3 (Meetinghouse Road) and Pump Station #4 (Twine Field Drive) is expected.

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Extension Project

Site work is expected at the pumping station site (Old Mill Boat Yard/Harbormasters Garage).

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

(No Work December 25th through December 27th)

Sewer work will continue on Pond View Avenue. Access will be limited; police detail(s) will be on-site to assist residents.

Paving is expected on Wood Carver Knoll on Monday, December 23rd. Access will be limited; police detail(s) will be on-site to assist residents.

Mill Pond Pump Station

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

Pertussis Increasing in Barnstable County

Barnstable County’s Department of Health and Environment is urging residents to take precautions as cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, continue to rise locally, statewide, and nationally. To date, there have been 26 cases of pertussis reported in Barnstable County this year, including the hospitalization of one young child.

Pertussis is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Early symptoms can resemble a mild cold, starting with a persistent runny nose and sneezing, low grade fever, sore throat, and a mild occasional cough that can worsen into coughing fits after 1 to 2 weeks. These coughing fits come on suddenly and can be severe, sometimes causing people to vomit, turn red, turn blue, or “whoop” as they try to catch their breath, hence the commonly used term “whooping cough”. These severe symptoms may not occur in vaccinated individuals.

Pertussis is highly infectious early on but early antibiotic treatment for 5 days halts infectiousness and can mitigate symptoms. It is crucial to recognize and address pertussis early to prevent further spread.

Vaccination is the best protection against pertussis. Protection from vaccination can wane over time, so ensure you have had your most recent recommended vaccination. Up-to-date vaccinations, frequent hand washing, coughing/sneezing into an elbow, cleaning and disinfecting frequently used items, maintaining good airflow in the home or office, opting to mask or physically distance from others, and staying home when sick are all important ways to prevent the spread of pertussis.

For additional resources and updates, visit Barnstable County’s Department of Health & Environment website or call (774) 330-3001.

Red toy pick-up truck with a Christmas tree in the back

Christmas Tree Pick-Up Fundraiser

Sign-up today to have the Boy Scouts of Chatham Troop 71pick-up and dispose of your undecorated Christmas tree Saturday, January 4th- Sunday, January 5th. 100% of the donations ($20 suggested per tree) collected through this fundraiser will benefit the Chatham Angel Fund and the Family Pantry of Cape Cod.

The last day to sign-up is December 30 and you can do so online at http://www.tinyurl.com/boyscouttreepickup, via email to chathamscouting@gmail.com, or by calling either 508-945-0764 or 978-505-5379. Trees should be placed curbside by 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 4th.

Counting Down to First Night

The countdown is on to 2024-2025 First Night Chatham – Celebrate Together!

First Night buttons, required for admission to almost all indoor performances and activities are available for purchase online or by cash or check only at the following local merchants:

The Chatham Clothing Bar
Cape Cod Five Bank (Chatham Branch)
Chatham Orpheum Theater
Puritan Cape Cod (Chatham Store)
Chatham Paint & Hardware
Shop Ahoy Liquors
Harwich Paint & Decorating, Harwich
Snow’s Home & Garden Store, Orleans

Adult buttons (age 12 and up) are $30, and Children’s button (ages 3-11) are $5. Children 2 and under are free. A small handling charge is added to online button orders. Online orders must be picked up at First Night Chatham Headquarters, 583 Main Street.

Cartoon image of Cape Cod with boot prints along its length

First Day Hike with CCF

Join Chatham Conservation Foundation (CCF) Executive Director Lauren Arcomano in welcoming 2025 with a guided walk along CCF's Mill Pond Overlook Trail on Wednesday, January 1st at 10 a.m. or 12 noon. The Mill Pond Overlook Trail, conveniently located within easy walking distance from downtown Chatham and Oyster Pond, is the CCF’s newest trail. This short half mile trail wanders through pine and oak woods and affords a beautiful overlook of the Mill Pond.

The Chatham Conservation Foundation joins other Cape conservation groups in #FirstDayHikesCapeCod on January 1, 2025. Building on the popularity of the national state park program originally launched in Massachusetts, this regional celebration features free special walks, talks, and hikes in communities across Cape Cod providing a range of opportunities for families, children, residents, and visitors to get outside and explore on the first day of the new year.

These walks are free, but registration is required. The walks will be cancelled in case of inclement weather.

Next Select Board Meeting - January 7, 2025 @ 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!

Subscribe to The Mainsheet

Subscribe today to have the latest issue of The Mainsheet delivered directly to your inbox each week! Sign-up through Notify Me! by entering your email address and clicking on the envelope icon next to the "Government" subscription list.