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 from sunrise until sunset at all state buildings on Friday, March 7, 2025, the day of interment, in honor of United States Navy Ensign Oliver Cole, of Beverly, MA, who passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1. The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls.

2. Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings.

3. All state military installations.

Large white tanks placed in a concrete structure

Water Treatment Plant Progressing

Work on the Water Treatment Plant for drinking water Wells 5 & 8 is continuing.

The granular activated carbon (GAC) filters have been delivered and placed at the Training Field Road facility. This marks a significant milestone in Chatham’s efforts to eliminate PFAS contamination from Wells 5 & 8.

The completion of this project will help meet the long-term needs of the community by protecting public health and ensuring an adequate supply of safe drinking water.

Team Chatham Artist Showcase

The Center for Active Living hosted the opening reception for the first Team Chatham Employee Artist Showcase on Monday, March 3rd.

Eight artists from across Town departments submitted works in a variety of mediums from wood working to watercolor to fabric arts. The reception was well attended by the artists' co-workers and members of the public who came out to celebrate and support their creativity.

The works will be in place through April 18th at the Center for Active Living, 193 Stony Hill Road, and the public is welcome to tour the exhibit Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The artists: Jay Briggs, Community Development; Jessica Carran, Police Department; Erich Finan, Dept. of Public Works; Brett Fortin, Dept. of Public Works; Ron Friend, Dept. of Public Works; Hunter MacDonald, Information Technology; Rebecca Santos, Dept. of Public Works; Lisa Steele, Human Resources.

Flood Safety Awareness Week

March 9th-15th

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has designated March 9-15, 2025 as Flood Safety Awareness Week in an effort to raise awareness of the most common hazard in MA and to prepare community members should flooding occur in their area.

Flooding is the most common hazard in the Commonwealth. Here in Chatham, there are areas of Town that are susceptible to tidal flooding. Do you know if your property is in a flood-prone or high-risk area? Explore the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood maps to find out.

If your home or business is in an area prone to tidal or street flooding, Flood Safety Awareness Week is a great time to prepare for the next event.

Make a record of your personal property by taking photos or videos of your home and belongings.
Consider purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Review this information compiled to assist Chatham residents with their flood emergency preparations.

Chunky Knit blanket class at the Community Center on March 15

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

Select Board Action - March 4th

The Select Board opened its March 4th meeting by entering Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation re: Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

When the Board re-entered open session, Town Counsel Jay Talerman provided his opinion on two petitioned articles submitted by Town residents for consideration at Annual Town Meeting.

Select Board Vice Chair Dean Nicastro asked the Board to consider an article seeking funding for the purchase of lighted speed indicators for placement around Town at its next meeting.

The Independence Day Parade Committee Chair announced the theme for the 2025 is “The Seasons of Chatham.” He said the Committee is now soliciting nominations for Grand Marshall through April 11th. (see more below)

The Board approved a petition from Eversource Energy to install 45 feet of conduit under Shore Road from handhole HH17/H35 A to a customer installed handhole at 38 Sandy Shoes Lane.

The Board approved sales on Town property for Supreme Fairs craft fairs at the Community Center on June 28-29 and August 30-31, 2025.

The Board placed and voted approval of articles seeking funding for capital improvements at Chatham Municipal Airport, and an article seeking revision of Chapter 238 of the General Bylaws – Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The Board voted to place an article seeking amendment of General Bylaws Chapter 10 which would allow members of the Finance Committee to serve on advisory and ad hoc committees (4-0) and voted 2-2 to recommend the article. The Select Board voted to place and recommend a Home Rule petition to the General Court to allow Associate members of the Conservation Commission to vote on matters in the absence of a full member. The Board deferred action on an article to adopt MA General Law Chapter 90, Section 17C to reduce the speed limit in thickly settled areas to 25 mph until the following meeting.

The Select Board voted to place and recommend a new Home Rule petition article to adopt MA General Law Chapter 23B Section 32 (b) – the new Seasonal Communities Designation. The Select Board voted to direct staff to draft a Home Rule petition article to include “commercial fishermen” as a group under the Seasonal Communities Section of the Affordable Homes Act as there is a Town residency requirement. It was noted that State Senator Julien Cyr has expressed an opinion that this may not be viewed favorably by the State Legislature. The Select Board requested staff to develop an article seeking authorization for the use of the Attainable Housing Special Revenue Fund for Attainable Housing purposes for the Town-owned properties at Stepping Stones Road and 127 Old Harbor Road for consideration at its next meeting.

The Select Board ended the meeting by entering a second Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining with respect to the Chatham Managers Association with no return to open session.

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

Blue lighthouse with red stripes and gold stars behind it

Parade Theme Announced

Call For Grand Marshall Nominations

The Chatham Independence Day Parade Committee announced the theme of the 2025 parade will be “The Seasons of Chatham,” which was submitted by Jo-Ellen Erickson. The theme was selected from many outstanding submissions to highlight the best of the Town at every time of year. The Committee hopes the entrants will get creative with their interpretations of the theme! Entry forms will be available on the parade’s website in mid-April.

The Committee is now soliciting nominations for Grand Marshall of the parade through April 11th. Submissions may be emailed to the Committee or submitted online. Nominees should be year-round or summer residents who have made a significant contribution to the Town.

Blue pennants with Team Chatham on them in a basket on the grass

Welcome New Team Members

We are pleased to welcome two new members to Team Chatham this week.

Danielle James has been appointed as our newest part-time Adult Supportive Day Program Assistant at the newly formed Ryder’s Cove Respite Program. Ms. James has an extensive background in the banking industry and led management and sales teams for some of the area’s largest banking institutions. She is looking forward to bringing value to the community.

Chrisopher Mazulis has been appointed as Chatham’s first Finance Administrator. Chris has worked in various financial analyst roles in the Boston area and most recently worked for Del Mar Vacations in Orleans as an Accounting/Reporting Analyst. He also has extensive customer service experience from assisting in the management and operations of his family-owned inn in Chatham.

Join us in welcoming Danielle and Chris!

Volunteer opportunities on Town Committees

Mill Pond Pump Station under construction

Sewer Construction Update

Work for the week of March 10^th– March 14^th:

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

Sewer work is planned at the Oyster Pond Condominiums (OPC) pumping station site (1233 Main Street). The work area will also include the southeastern end of Kelley Lane. Police detail(s) will be on-site for the work on Kelley Lane.

Stage Harbor Sewer Construction Project

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

Mill Pond Pump Station

Continued sewer work is planned on Mill Pond Road. Road closures are planned 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.

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

Upcoming Public Hearing

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

March 11

To consider the transfer and pledge of the Annual Wine and Malt Beverages Only package store license from Chatham Market, Inc. d/b/a Chatham Village Market, Stamatia MacDonald, Manager to CVM Retail, Inc. d/b/a Chatham Village Market, Harsh Patel, Manager, for the business located at 20 Queen Anne Road, Chatham.

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

Yellow triangular "Area Closed" sign on a beach

A "Shore" Sign of Spring

Seabird season is almost upon us and Mass Audubon is gearing up to install protective shorebird fencing on area beaches.

Installations will begin in Chatham at Cockle Cove, Ridgevale, and Forest Beach on March 14th, with Harding’s and Lighthouse Beach around March 25th.

Once installed, please keep kids and pets outside of fenced areas. By giving the birds the best chance at nesting successfully upon their arrival this spring, we may see them depart earlier and gain greater beach access this summer.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Understanding Your Energy Costs

Cold winter weather and rising costs have led many customers to see an increase in their electric bill this winter. The Cape Light Compact believes it is important for customers to have an explanation of the components that make up their energy bill.

Residential energy bills are made up of two components:

The Supply Charge, which is the cost of the electricity purchased from either the Cape Light Compact, the Electric Distribution Company (Eversource for customers on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard), or a competitive supplier. This charge is paying for the physical electrons that flow through the wires to power the devices and equipment in your home.
The Delivery Charge, which is made up of ten different charges, which can be found in the pie chart below. These charges help to fund the infrastructure of the grid, such as poles and wires, and include charges that fund public policy initiatives like the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, the Mass Save Energy Efficiency Programs, and state sponsored solar program such as net metering and the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART). For a full breakdown on what is included in each of these charges visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/understanding-your-utility-bill.

Cape Light Compact’s residential electric supply rates have decreased this winter to 12.024 cents/kWh, the lowest rate since 2021, but many customers may still see an increase in their overall bill.

This increase is mainly due to increases in the distribution charge, the cost Eversource charges to maintain and improve the local electrical grid, and the Energy Efficiency charge which funds the Mass Save Energy Efficiency programs.

Cat tail reed in a beige circle with Chatham Conservation Foundation written next to it

Free Webinar Series Continues

Join Cape Cod naturalist Phil Kyle on Saturday, March 15th at 10 a.m. for a free webinar from the Chatham Conservation Foundation (CCF) on the Cape’s year-round birds’ adaptations to survive in winter’s harsh conditions. The presentation will include information on their food foraging tricks, torpor, sleeping locations, and how they insulate themselves from the cold.

Mr. Kyle has worked at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and Cape Cod National Seashore and is a regular presenter with the CCF. Register for the event through the CCF website.

Next Select Board Meeting - March 11, 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#.

I. Minutes

A. January 28, 2025

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Public Hearing

A. Consider an Application to Transfer & Pledge of the Annual Wine & Malt Beverages Only Package Store License from Chatham Market, Inc. d/b/a Chatham Village Market, Stamatia MacDonald, Manager to CVM Retail, Inc. d/b/a Chatham Village Market, Harsh Patel, Manager, for the Business Located at 20 Queen Anne Road

IV. Public Comments on Business Agenda

V. Business Agenda

A. Consider Vote to Ratify Chatham Municipal Employees Association (CMEA) and Chatham Manager’s Association (CMA) Collective Bargaining Agreements

B. Annual Town Meeting Articles Review / Vote to Place and Recommend

i. Collective Bargaining Agreements (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027) for (1) Chatham Municipal Employees Association and (2) Chatham Manager’s Association

ii. Current Fiscal Year FY2025 Budget Adjustments/Transfers

iii. Fix Salaries; Wood Waste Reclamation Facility Enterprise Fund; PEG Access Funds

iv. Revolving Fund Articles (FY2026)

v. FY2026 Regional School Operating Budget – Cape Cod Regional Technical High School

vi. Electronic Visual Speed Display Signs – Vice Chair Dean Nicastro

vii. Grant of Easement for Utility Service – 114 Training Field Road for New Water Treatment Facility

viii. Refile Home Rule Petitions

1. Establish a New Housing Trust

a. Consider Amendment to Establish a New Housing Trust – Vice Chair Dean Nicastro

2. Establish a Real Property Transfer Fee to Fund Affordable/Attainable Housing

3. Use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) Funds for Affordable and Attainable Housing up to 200% Area Median Income (AMI)

4. Prevailing Wage Exemption

ix. Home Rule Petition - Special Designation for Commercial Fishermen within Section 32, Seasonal Communities, of the Affordable Homes Act

x. Citizen’s Petition Article - General Bylaw Change Restricting Land Use at Chatham Airport to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airplane Design Group (ADG) 1 Aircraft – Gerry Stahl

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

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