1533 Main Street Development Next Steps

Representative of Pennrose will be meeting with various public bodies over the next two weeks to introduce their plans for development of affordable housing at 1533 Main Street. These meetings will provide an opportunity for Commission, Board and Committee members to offer comments and feedback to Pennrose before they finalize the plans for submission to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Comprehensive Permit under MA General Laws Chapter 40B. Chapter 40B is a state statute, which enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20-25% of the units have long-term affordability restrictions.

Public comment may be accepted at these meetings at the discretion of each Chair. All meetings will be held at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road, as listed below with remote participation available through links in each meeting's agenda posted at www.mytowngovernment.org. All will be broadcast live on Xfinity channel 1072 with the exception of the Community Housing Partnership meeting. All will be available for viewing through Chatham TVs on-demand archive.

Monday, Dec. 9 at 11:00 am – Community Housing Partnership, Small Meeting Room

Monday, Dec. 16 at 6:00 pm – Planning Board, Large Meeting Room

Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 10:30 am – Historical Commission, Large Meeting Room

Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 pm – Joint Meeting of the Select Board and Affordable Housing Trust, Large Meeting Room

Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 3:30 pm – Historic Business District Commission, Large Meeting Room  

Stuff A Cruiser Tomorrow at Job Lot

Please stop by Ocean State Job Lot tomorrow, Saturday, December 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Chatham Police Association’s annual “Stuff a Cruiser” toy drive to benefit Toys for Tots. Meet the men and women of the Police Department and drop off your donation of new, unwrapped toys or gift cards for the older kids. Everything collected remains on Cape and is distributed to local families.

Select Board Action - December 3rd

Two public hearings opened the Select Board meeting on December 3rd.

In the first, the Select Board approved a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Electric to install six new handholes on Mill Pond Road and Homestead Lane to provide service to the new Mill Pond Pump Station and area residences.

In the second public hearing the Select Board approved an application to amend the seasonal all alcoholic beverages license held by Peter Higgins d/b/a Dogfish Taco Co., to add a service bar trailer to the restaurant’s existing patio by a vote of 4-0 with one recusal after hearing concerns from an abutting property owner.

Historical Commission Chair Frank Messina gave the Select Board an update on the work of the Historical Commission over the last year. He noted that the Commission would like to address what he termed “demolition by neglect” and protecting the Town’s archeological resources in the coming year.

Applications for five Special One Day Alcoholic Beverages License were approved for downtown area businesses for events in December and six were approved for artist receptions at the Creative Arts Center January thru May 2025.

The Select Board approved the abatement of unpaid real estate taxes ($813.88) on 1533 Main Street outstanding for FY2024. This was an administrative requirement under MA General Law.

Fire Chief Justin Tavano made a presentation to the Select Board on the request that the Town’s Fire Department dispatch duties be taken over by the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office. After asking questions of Chief Tavano and Tom Ashe, Chief of Emergency Communications for the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division, the Board voted unanimously to authorize Town Manager Jill Goldsmith to execute an agreement with the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office to transition Fire Department dispatch services to the regional center an endorse a budget appropriation in Fiscal Year 2026’s operating budget for the annual assessment for services.

The Board approved the renewal of the annual liquor licenses held by restaurants, inns, and package stores in Town. The Board also approved the temporary closing of three establishments holding annual licenses for various dates during January, February, and March as required by the Town’s Local Alcoholic Beverages Regulations.

Joanna Kale was appointed to the Board of Health as an Associate member and Tracey Golden was elevated from an Alternate to a full member on the Summer Residents Advisory Committee.

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

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:

December 10th

To consider a request for a Change of Manager from Gary S. Thulander to Sean Linehan on two (2) Annual All Alcoholic Beverages Hotel licenses for CBI Operations, LLC d/b/a Chatham Bars Inn, 297 & 286 Shore Road, Chatham.

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.

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

Winter Weather Preparedness

Mark Heller, Deputy Director of Emergency Management 

Thoughts of winter in New England conjures up images of Norman Rockwell-type scenes of family gathered with friends around the fire and horses drawn sleighs with a fresh cut Christmas tree in tow.  But we know the reality. Cold blustery days, long nights, and gray skies.

Being on the edge of Cape Cod, we usually get lucky and don’t see as much snow as the mainland. But we all can remember those times when we got hit hard, so let’s be prepared and put a plan in place.

Ensure you have all you need to hunker down in your home for a few days.  Make sure you always have at least a week’s supply of required medications.   If you need power for specific medical devices or supplies, put a backup power plan in place now by speaking with your healthcare professional.  Make sure you have enough nonperishable food items that you can eat without heating or cooking.  During a power outage, keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to keep your food safe longer.  If you rely on a private well for water, fill up your bathtub or holding basin in case of an outage.  And don’t forget food and water for your pets!

Staying warm during a power outage is always a concern.  If you have a heating alternative such as a fireplace, have an accessible supply of wood on hand.

Two of the greatest dangers to your safety while riding out a winter storm at home are carbon monoxide and fires. DO NOT try to heat your home with your oven, stove, propane or gas fueled heaters as these can create deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Make sure all the exhaust vents on your house are kept clear of drifting snow as this can cause carbon monoxide back up as well. Propane and gas fueled heater also pose very dangerous fire hazards and candles should ONLY be used with extreme caution and should never be left unattended.  If you have a generator, make sure it is in good working order and that you have enough of the proper fuel.  Never run generators inside or near your home.

If the power goes out, unplug your electronic devices to avoid damage from a power surge when the power comes back on.

Your vehicle needs to be ready for the winter weather too.  Make sure to have at least a half tank of gas, have a scraper/snow brush ready, keep tires properly inflated, and ensure your windshield wipers are in good condition.  Most importantly, stay off the roads when driving advisories are in effect.

Ahead of a storm, charge up your electronic devices.  If possible, have battery backup for those devices.  Get fresh batteries for flashlights and emergency lighting and have plenty of salt or ice melt ready to go.

Have a “Buddy Plan” with neighbors or friends.  Schedule check in times with each other to ensure everyone is safe.  Don’t attempt to shovel snow that is too heavy for you to move.  If you do shovel, do it in short intervals, taking breaks in-between. Do your best to stay informed.  Listen to local radio broadcasts for emergency information and weather updates. Sign up for local emergency alerts!

Most important, remember to reach out to your local officials if you have any questions or need help. We are here for you. If you don’t have the supplies to make it through a power outage don’t try.  During most large storm events regional shelters and warming stations are open and can accommodate you and your pets.  We can transport you to these facilities if needed.

Let’s be prepared, Chatham!

Subsidized Tick Testing Returns

Fall yard clean up season may be winding down, but ticks may be active year-round here on the Cape.

Thanks to generous support from the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment the subsidized tick testing residents of Barnstable County enjoyed in the past has returned!

Residents can get fast, reliable testing through TickReport.com for only $15; an $85 discount per sample. Testin takes place in Amherst, MA and results are securely emailed within 1-3 days of the tick's arrival at the lab. Testing includes common pathogens that cause Lyme, Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis as well as viruses like Powassan virus.

Questions? Email support@tickreport.com.