FY2025 Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

FY2025 Real Estate and Personal Property Tax bills will be released on Tuesday, October 1st and will be due in the Treasurer's Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1st.

For information on making payments including online options via electronic check (ACH) or credit card, please refer to the Treasurer/Collector webpage.

If you have moved or your mailing address has changed, please notify the Assessing Office (508-945-5103) and the Water Division (508-945-5155) to ensure receipt of your bills.

United States flag 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 sunrise until sunset on Saturday, September 28, 2024, the date of interment, in honor of Massachusetts State Police Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia, of Worcester, Massachusetts who tragically passed away on Friday, September 13, 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
All state military installations

National Public Lands Day

Saturday, September 28th is National Public Lands Day!

Chatham has approximately 1,000 acres of conservation lands for you to explore. Check out the Conservation Areas webpage to download trail maps, locate access points, and make your plan to visit one of our many open spaces to celebrate!

Screenshot of dredge Murden from the Backstage video posted on YouTube

Backstage - Hopper Dredge Murden

Chatham TV's production team has produced a series of videos giving our residents and visitors "Backstage" tours of Town programs and operations they normally would not see in an effort to educate the public about the range and scope of duties their municipal employees undertake each day.

The latest edition of "Backstage" features Coastal Resource Director Ted Keon narrating a look at the operations of the Army Corps of Engineer's hopper dredge Murden as it clears the entrance channel to Stage Harbor.

People in the water assisting a dolphin on a sling

Dolphin Assisted in Stage Harbor

A dolphin was spotted in Stage Harbor on Tuesday, September 24th and appeared to be having some trouble finding its way off the shoals. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) was contacted, and volunteers assisted the dolphin.

If you encounter a stranded or deceased marine mammal anywhere on Cape or in Southeastern Massachusetts, please call IFAW's reporting line at 508-743-9548.

QR code to access registration for the vaccine clinic

Click or scan the QR code to register!

Resident Vaccination Clinic October 9th

The VNA of Cape Cod, in collaboration with the Chatham Health Division, will hold a drive-thru vaccination clinic for Chatham residents on Wednesday, October 9th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Public Works facility, 221 Crowell Road.

Vaccinations will be available for COVID-19 and influenza for those age 6 months+ and high dose influenza vaccinations will be available for those age 65+.

Please reach out to the VNA of Cape Cod at 508-957-7737 with any questions. Scan or click the QR code above to register.

Chatham is Hiring a Laborer in the Parks & Grounds Division of Public Works

Orange DETOUR sign with arrows on the side of a road

Detour Ahead

A detour is planned on Training Field Road from Old Comers Road to Old Queen Anne Road on Friday, October 4th from 7:00 a.m. to approximately 12 noon to accommodate concrete deliveries to the site of the new water treatment facility for Wells 5 & 8.

Signage and a Police detail will be in place to direct motorists. Thank you for your patience during this short duration closure.

Film Permit Issued

A film permit has been issued to Wet-Shoe Productions, Inc. for filming in Chase Park on Sunday, October 6^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This will be a small shoot involving only one camera, one tripod, and one boom with a cast and crew of eight for a 5-8 minute short film project.

Public access to the park will not be restricted during filming.

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

Sewer Construction Update

September 30th – October 4th:

Route 137/Morton Road Sewer Extension

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

Queen Anne Pump Station

Site work at the pump station site is expected (40 Queen Anne Road; south side of Queen Anne Road and Oyster Pond Furlong intersection). For public safety reasons, the southbound lane of Queen Anne Road will be closed from the Chatham Village Market to the Oyster Pond Furlong intersection. Local traffic only but access may be limited depending on the construction. Police details and signage will be in place.

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Extension

Continued site work is expected at the pump station site at Old Mill Boat Yard/Harbormasters Garage.

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension

Construction will continue at the Independence Lane Pump Station site and on Independence Lane. To avoid being inconvenienced during the daytime, residents will be required to move their vehicles off Independence Lane before 7:00AM. The Chatham Police Department will be on site daily to assist with finding alternate parking.

Red, white and blue pin on buttons with vote written across them in the white area

State/Presidential Election Information

The 2024 State/Presidential Elections will be held on Tuesday, November 5th at the Community Center, 702 Main Street. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you are not already registered to vote in Chatham, the deadline to register to vote is Saturday, October 26^th by 5 p.m. You can register to vote in-person at the Town Clerk’s office, 549 Main Street or online through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s online voter portal.

Vote by Mail applications must be received at the office of the Town Clerk by end of business hours on Tuesday, October 29^th.

In-person Early Voting will be held at the Town Offices, 549 Main Street on Saturday, October 19^th and Saturday, October 26^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday – Friday, October 21^st to November 1^st from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Conservation Commission Seeks Members

The Conservation Commission is seeking applicants to fill three Associate member seats for one-year terms.

Chatham's 1960 Annual Town Meeting voted to establish a Conservation Commission pursuant to MA General Law Chapter 40, Section 8c. which authorizes cities and towns to establish such Commissions to promote the development and better utilization of natural resources. In 1972, the Conservation Commission was given the responsibility of administering the MA Wetlands Protection Act and in 1986, Chatham's local wetlands protection bylaw and regulations.

The Commission meets three times per month on the first, second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 1 p.m. Additional site visits are scheduled throughout the month.

Associate members attend meetings but do not vote on Conservation Commission agenda items. Being appointed as an Assocaite member allows an individual to learn about the Conservation Commission process, and become familiar with the MA Wetlands Protection Act, Chatham's Wetlands Protection Bylaw and applicable regulations to be ready to step into a full membership role when one becomes vacant.

If you would like to learn more about the opportunity, please email questions to Conservation Agent Paul Wightman. If you are interested in serving, please apply through the Town's website.

Flyer for the Fix It Clinic at Eldredge Public Library Saturday Sept 28th

Emergency Preparedness for Pets

Emergency Management Deputy Director Mark Heller

When we talk about being prepared for an emergency, we think of ourselves and our families, but what about our friends? Our “best” friends?

Our pets are with us no matter where we go. They stick with us during the best and worst of times. So, we have to make sure they are prepared for an emergency too.

Getting ready for an emergency needs to include our pets. We must think of their needs, just like ours, in the event we need to shelter-in-place, evacuate or relocate. Just like the rest of the family we need to …

Make a Plan - Build an Emergency Kit - Stay Informed

Your plan needs to make sure your pets are welcome wherever you wind up. Fortunately, most emergency shelters accept and can accommodate pets and pet needs. If your plan includes alternative shelter locations, you need to check beforehand to see if pets are welcome. If not, you need to change you plans before the emergency happens.

Your plan needs to include an emergency kit for your pets. This should include your pet’s vital information and documents. Have copies of the most recent vaccination records. If your pet is microchipped, make sure you include that documentation too. If your pet has medical needs and takes specific medications, you should have an ample supply for at least three to four days. The same goes for their food. You should have three to four days of their specific food. Make sure it stored in airtight containers, that the food is fresh, and that the container is labeled with you and your pets’ information. Don’t forget a bowl and fresh water. Make sure they have a collar with a name tag, a leash or harness, a carry crate if needed, any necessary grooming items, sanitation needs such as pet litter and sanitation bags, a bed or blanket and most important, their favorite toy. Make sure you include a current picture of your pet in the event you get separated.

Last, you need to stay informed. During an emergency of any kind, things can change fast. Stay up to date on designated travel routes, shelter status and changing conditions. Use all available outlets such as local news, radio and social media.

For more information go to Ready.gov/pets. Do everything you can before something happens and let’s be prepared!

Cartoon image of woman blowing her nose with virus symbols around her

Free COVID-19 Test Kits Available

The federal Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the U.S. Postal Service has reopened COVIDtests.gov, so that households across the country can order four additional over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for free. These tests are intended for use throughout the 2024 holiday season to detect currently circulating COVID-19 variants. Clear instructions are included on how to verify extended expiration dates.

As the fall and holiday seasons will create increased close proximity gatherings of people, the Administration remains committed to helping Americans access tests to help so that, if they develop a respiratory illness, they can learn whether it is due to COVID-19 and then make the best choices about seeking medical care and reducing risks to family, friends, and co-workers. To order four free, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests, visit COVIDtests.gov.  

Next Select Board Meeting - October 8, 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#.

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.

Town of Chatham website www.chatham-ma.gov