Wooden structure on a barge being towed by a tug boat

Wooden structure lifted in the air by a crane

USCG Boathouse Returns to Stage Harbor

The historic US Coast Guard Boathouse arrived back home in Stage Harbor on Tuesday, March 24th and was hoisted onto its new foundation at 90 Bridge Street on Wednesday, March 25th.

The arrival and placement of the structure, after 20 years away, was met with great enthusiasm and many witnesses who staked out the shoreline around Stage Harbor and the east side of the Mitchell River Bridge.

The Town thanks Dave Dougherty and Jay Cashman for their unwavering belief that this day would come, Town Meeting voters for their support of the re-purposing of the Boathouse into a new shellfish upweller, and to our project partners GEI Consultants, Inc, Pomroy Associates, and Robert B. Our Marine for making this very special delivery possible.

Work to renovate and repurpose the facility as the Town’s new shellfish upweller will now begin on site.

Three women standing in front of a door with Finance Director sign above it

L-R Accounting Assistant Andrea Warner, Director of Finance Carrie Mazerolle, Town Accountant Megan Green

Certificate of Excellence Awarded

On March 25, 2026, for the fourth consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Town of Chatham for our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 (FY2024).

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting.

Congratulations to Director of Finance Carrie Mazerolle and the entire Finance Department for this achievement.

Warrant Now Available Online

The 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant is now available online!

Per the requirements of the Town’s Home Rule Charter, a copy of the warrant will be mailed to the household of every registered voter in Town but why wait until the end of April to start reviewing the articles. Download your copy today!

Coastal Salt Marsh Symposium

The Friends of Pleasant Bay and the Pleasant Bay Alliance are holding a Coastal Salt Marsh Symposium on Monday, March 30th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Community Center, 702 Main Street.

This free two-hour program will bring together scientists, local officials, and coastal experts to discuss how science can guide action to protect salt marshes in Pleasant Bay and beyond. The latest research, restoration success, and practical tools to help communities protect and restore these vital ecosystems will be showcased.

Director of Natural Resources Greg Berman and Coastal Resilience Director Catharine Ricks will join experts from the Cape Cod National Seashore, Center for Coastal Studies, Pleasant Bay Alliance, Orleans Conservation Trust and others for this informative discussion.

Space is limited and advanced registration is encouraged.

Water Division News

Hydrant Flushing Begins

The annual hydrant flushing program will begin the week of April 6th.

Once again, due to the ongoing drought conditions, hydrant flushing will be conducted on a limited basis. This year flushing will be focused on the South Chatham Area.

Consumer Confidence Report

The 2025 Consumer Confidence Report on the quality of Chatham’s drinking water is available online. Printed copies may be requested from the Department of Public Works, 221 Crowell Road.

Transfer Station Closed Easter April 5th

The Transfer Station will be closed on Sunday, April 5, 2026 in recognition of the Easter holiday.

Chatham residents may dispose of woody debris at the Chatham Transfer Station, 97 Sam Ryder Road, free of charge through Saturday, April 4, 2026. This temporary fee waiver applies only to trees and limbs damaged as a direct result of Blizzard Hernando of February 23, 2026.

All material must be separated as woody debris; stumps with root balls, construction and demolition debris, and household waste will not be accepted under this waiver. Standard Transfer Station rules and regulations remain in effect. This program is limited to residential drop-offs and does not apply to commercial haulers, professional landscapers, or tree service companies.

Normal disposal fees will resume for all materials beginning Monday, April 6, 2026.

Select Board seated at the dais in the large meeting room

Select Board Action – March 24th

A public hearing to consider a petition from Verizon New England, Inc. to install one (1) new pole numbered 22/5/5 thirty-six (36) feet east of existing pole numbered 22/5 and eighty (80) feet west of existing pole numbered 22/6 on Mill Pond Road and to install new conduit from the proposed pole numbered 22/5.5 southeast along Mill Pond Road approximately one hundred-eight (180) feet to new Mill Pond Road pumping station project which was continued from March 10 further continued to April 7th.

After hearing from members of the project team on the results of the bids received, the Select Board voted to place and recommend approval of an article seeking $200,000 in additional funding for the expansion and renovation of the Existing Center for Active Living, 193 Stony Hill Road on the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant.

The Board voted to place and recommend for approval an article to fund Chatham’s Assessment of the Monomoy Regional School District Operating Budget for FY2027.

After hearing from the petitioners, the Board voted to recommend approval of Citizen Petition articles submitted by Gloria Hicks to amendment to Town Bylaw Chapter 261 – Water Supply Emergencies to require private well owners to comply with water conservation measures and by Brian Phillips to accept MGL Ch. 59, sec. 5 (O) to provide an Affordable Housing Tax Exemption to property owners renting to qualified tenants year-round.

The Board voted to close and sign the warrant for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting.

The Board granted a Special One-Day Alcohol License to Brigid Krug of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance for their Meet the Fleet event on April 1st at 1566 Main Street.

The Board received a presentation on the Opioid Settlement Funds Community Health Needs Assessment for the lower Cape towns of Dennis, Harwich, Chatham, Brewster and Orleans.

After discussion on the Town’s Short-Term Rental Policy/Regulation the Board requested the Board of Health consider aligning the Short-Term Rental Certificate term to align with the calendar year and to raise the local registration fee to $200.

The public is encouraged to watch the meeting in its entirety through Chatham TV’s on-demand archive.

Blue lighthouse with red stripes and gold stars behind it

Parade Registration Open

Ready to make some waves? It’s time to get your red, white, and blue crew together because registration for the 2026 Chatham Independence Day Parade is officially open! This year, we’re celebrating with the theme: “Anchored in Freedom: Timeless Tides & Traditions.” Whether you’re a local legend, a historic family, a former “Best Float Winner”, a nautical newcomer, or just really good at walking, floating, or handing out candy, we want you in the lineup!

Don't let the ship sail without you—space fills up faster than a cooler at a beach bonfire! Grab your spot, deck out your float (or vintage ride), and let’s show Chatham why our traditions are as steady as the tide and twice as fun!

How to Join the Fleet

1. Visit www.chathamparade.com to fill out the registration form.

2. Channel your inner patriot and dream up a float that ties to our amazing theme and that’ll go down in history.

3. Prepare for the best 4th of July on the East Coast!

Parade volunteer registration will open shortly and nominations for this year’s Grand Marshal will start in mid-April!

April FLASH Delayed

Due to unexpected delays from our publisher, the Council on Aging's April newsletter will not be distributed on its usual schedule. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

In the meantime, readers can view the full newsletter electronically on the Council on Aging’s website or visit the CFAL to review an in-house hard copy while we await the arrival of the official editions. Thank you for understanding and for your continued support.

Upcoming Programming at the Center for Active Living

National Autism Awareness Month

April is National Autism Awareness Month and the Chatham Police Officers will show their support of autism awareness by wearing special patches on their uniforms throughout the month.

However, the Chatham Police Department (CPD) works to reduce stress and improve communications between Officers and individuals on the autism spectrum year-round by participating in the Blue Envelope Program, a support initiative designed to help individuals with autism or other disabilities interact safely and effectively with law enforcement during traffic stops.

The Program provides a distinct blue envelope that contains essential documents such as a driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance information, and emergency contact details. The envelope also includes instructions for both the driver and the officer, offering guidance on effective communication and interaction techniques.

When a law enforcement officer sees a blue envelope, it serves as a visual cue to approach the individual thoughtfully, using patience, simple language, and allowing extra time for processing information. The program is flexible, with each agency able to adapt the envelope’s content and instructions to meet local needs while remaining legally compliant.

If you or a family member would benefit from having a Blue Envelope, the CPD has a limited supply at the Police Station, 249 George Ryder Road. They are also available by mail from the Commonwealth, at the Massachusetts State Police Barracks, 1172 Rote 28, South Yarmouth.

stylized eye graphic with a tornado in the center

SKYWARN Spotter Training

We are excited to host the Cape’s only SKYWARN storm spotter training on Wednesday, April 29th from 6-8 p.m. at the Community Center, 702 Main Street.

To obtain critical weather information, NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS), established SKYWARN™ with partner organizations in the 1970s. SKYWARN™ is a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the NWS.

For more information and to register for this free training visit www.weather.gov/box/skywarn.

In the average year, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes occur across the United States. Southern New England is no exception with major weather events such as Superstorm Sandy, tornados, floods and numerous blizzards. These events threatened lives and property and because of this the NWS relies heavily on SKYWARN™ volunteers who call the NWS in Norton, MA to report certain weather conditions.

While the main role of a storm spotter is to be their community's first line of defense against dangerous storms, they also provide important information to NWS warning forecasters who make critical warning decisions. Storm spotters play a critical role because they can see things that radar and other technological tools cannot, and this ground truth is critical in helping the NWS perform its primary mission, to save lives and property.

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 their regularly scheduled meetings on Tuesdays, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

April 7, 2026

To consider a request for a new annual entertainment license for indoor live and recorded music for Chatham Moods, 1617 Main Street, Chatham.

To consider a petition from Verizon New England, Inc. to install one (1) new pole numbered 22/5/5 thirty six (36) feet east of existing pole numbered 22/5 and eighty (80) feet west of existing pole numbered 22/6 on Mill Pond Road and to install new conduit from the proposed pole numbered 22/5.5 southeast along Mill Pond Road approximately one hundred-eight (180) feet to new Mill Pond Road pumping station project. (Continued from March 10, 2026)

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 215’ +/- 2-4” conduit and one (1) new manhole 10242/010 for new underground service at 162 Shore Road.

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

QR code to access links & resources for Summer Residents

Click above to access links & resources!

What is the SRAC?

From Jeff Spalter, Chair, SRAC

The Summer Residents Advisory Committee (SRAC) - initially named the Non-Voting Taxpayers Advisory Committee - was formed in 1996 with the objective to facilitate communication between non-voting residents and the Select Board. The Committee was established by a vote of citizens at Annual Town Meeting.

These objectives were adopted to help guide the SRAC in meeting its mission:

Give summer residents a voice
Give the Select Board the benefit of information and views
Give fresh outlooks to the Town
Take a position and make a case for or against Town matters

How is the SRAC resourced and how does it work?

The SRAC is comprised of 13 non-voting taxpayers who are Chatham property owners and volunteer their time. Members are appointed by the Select Board via an interview process. The Select Board Chair is the Board’s liaison to the SRAC.

During the summer (June - August) the SRAC meets in person on Friday mornings. During the balance of year, the Committee meets remotely monthly for an hour to keep abreast of relevant issues. All meetings are open to the public.

Why should I join the SRAC or attend meetings?

Chatham is a bit unique among Cape towns as the SRAC gives non-voting taxpayers a voice in Town government and access to Town departments. The Committee engages with the Town Manager, Department of Public Works, Finance Department and Office of the Assessor, and Community Services/Center for Active Living for example.

The SRAC addresses issues that are meaningful to non-voting taxpayers and to full-time residents. The Committee recently provided input to the Select Board which was favorable considered in the decision for the Town to pay for grinder pumps as part of the sewer project. The SRAC webpage on the Town site (Summer Residents Advisory Committee | Chatham, MA) includes prior position papers and presentations from leaders of various Town departments.

2026 Issues

Currently the SRAC is very involved in addressing the Residential Tax Exemption implementation and looking for a better solution to help local residents in need. Other topics under review include policies related to Short-Term Rentals, Town budget growth, and the sewer project.

As these discussions continue, the Committee would welcome hearing from you about these or other issues you believe should be addressed in the coming year. Please send a short email to the Committee describing any issue that you feel warrants our attention.

Interested in joining the SRAC?

Opportunities to join the SRAC arise at various times. Part-time residents with an interest in Chatham’s civic life are encouraged to express interest by applying via the Town's Talent Bank form.

First time Homebuyers Workshop information

rendering of affordable home at 19 Josiah Drive Falmouth

Affordable Housing Opportunity

Housing Assistance Corp. (HAC) is accepting applications for a new construction 3-bedroom with full basement and one car garage for sale by lottery located at 19 Josiah Path, Falmouth.

The sale price for qualified applicants is $290,000 with $150/month Home Owners Association (HOA) fee. First-time homebuyer, income, and asset guidelines apply.

An information session for interested applicants will be held on Thursday, April 16th at 5:30 p.m. Applications are due on Friday, May 22nd at 5:00 p.m.

Visit the HAC webpage for more information, application, and to register for the information 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!

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.