Mill Creek Dredging to Begin

The County Dredge is mobilizing to begin work at Mill Creek this week. The project will remove the large shoal which has formed across the entrance channel to Mill Creek.

The dredged material will be placed at Cockle Cove to address significant erosion and loss of clear access to the beach. Material will be placed near the parking lot as well as to the west on the “feeder beach” to allow continued natural migration of sand to the public beach. Approximately 7,000 cubic yards of sand is expected to be dredged. Given the time of year and in compliance with the Town’s permits, shorebird monitoring will be needed to ensure no disturbance from work activities to piping plovers.

Info Sessions on School Restoration Project Scheduled

Monomoy Regional School District is embarking on a critically needed restoration project at Monomoy Regional Middle School. The current cedar shingle siding, installed in 1997, has degraded, allowing rainwater to enter. The district is working to replace that degraded cedar siding with more durable siding that will have a longer lifespan, require less maintenance, and insure against moisture damage. The project will be done in two phases: Phase 1 will include all the siding and replacement of all the windows, and Phase 2 will include the replacement of the school’s roof. MRSD was accepted into the MSBA Accelerated Repair Project program for partial reimbursement of the roofing project. The siding project is not eligible for this repair program reimbursement.

To provide community members with opportunities to learn more about this project and have their questions answered, Monomoy will hold information sessions in both Chatham and Harwich in the coming weeks. There will be a community information session in Harwich on April 22, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Harwich Community Center, and in Chatham on April 29, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Chatham Community Center.

Residents in Chatham and Harwich will have the opportunity to vote on this important project at Harwich Town Meeting on May 5th, Chatham Town Meeting on May 10th (Article 11), and the Harwich Town Elections on May 20th.

More information on the project can be found on the district website at www.monomoy.edu/mrmsreno.

Citizen Police Academy Graduates

Congratulations to the men and women who graduated from the Citizen Police Academy on Saturday, April 5^th.

Twelve residents spent 11 consecutive Monday evenings gaining a broader understanding of the Chatham Police Department and how our officers serve our community. Topics covered ranged from traffic enforcement to criminal law.

Pictured are Front Row L to R: Sgt. Bill Massey, Lt. Sarah Harris, Deputy Chief Lou Malzone, Chief Mike Anderson, Off. Rich Spaulding. Back Row L to R: Town Manager Jill Goldsmith, Mary Melo, Mike Consolmagno, Pat Robinson, Roger Faucher, Peter Fraser, Susan Feit, Off. Charlie Chaprales, Bob Crespo.

Maria Belgrade, Kim Kelly, Robert Ralls, Sherrie Burson, and Joshua Gordon-Rachman also graduated from the Academy but were not able to attend the ceremony.

The Citizen Police Academy is held annually beginning in January.

Upcoming School Committee Vacancy

As the Annual Town Election approaches, Chatham residents should be aware that there will be an open seat on the Monomoy Regional School Committee. One of the current Chatham members has decided not to seek re-election, creating an opportunity for someone new to step into this important role for a 3-year term.

Anyone interested in serving is encouraged to consider running a write-in campaign at the May 15th Annual Town Election. School Committee members play a vital role in shaping the future of our public schools, and this is a great chance to make a meaningful impact in our community.

If no write-in candidate is elected, residents will be invited to submit applications for consideration for appointment to the Select Board. The appointment will be made jointly by the Select Board and remaining Chatham Monomoy Regional School Committee members.

If you’re passionate about public education and want to get involved, this could be your opportunity.

Transfer Station Closure

Transfer Station will be closed on Sunday, April 20^th to allow members of Team Chatham to spend the Easter holiday with their families.

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

Select Board Action - April 8th

The Select Board opened its meeting with a public hearing and approved the installation of permanent High Water Warning signs on Morris Island Road as recommended by the Traffic Safety Committee.

The Select Board accepted the donation of 1000 over-sized oysters from the Chatham Shellfish Company.

The Board approved several requests including the use of Town property, sales on Town property and issued a Special One Day Alcohol License, and Special One Day Entertainment License for the Blessing of the Fleet event at the Municipal Fish Pier on June 1^st.

At the request of the Human Services Committee, the Select Board reduced the committee’s membership from 9 to 7, which will facilitate meeting quorum requirements.

Kristy Senatori, Executive Director of the Cape Cod Commission, provided an annual “Year in Review.” She discussed the Commission’s work on housing, fresh water quality in ponds and lakes, transportation projects and initiatives including the Chatham Downtown Parking and Circulation Study, and coastal resiliency efforts. She thanked Tom Wilson for his work as Chatham’s representative to the Commission. Mr. Wilson noted the Commission’s work on projects of regional impact and in support of the 15 Cape municipalities.

The Select Board requested that a policy be drafted for consideration to bring consistency to the way Town Board/Commission/Committee meetings are conducted and to include hybrid capabilities.

Chair Mike Schell and Member Jeff Dykens reported on their April 8th meeting with a subcommittee of the Harwich Select Board regarding the assessment formula in the Monomoy Regional School District Regional Agreement. The Board agreed to continue a conversation with the Harwich Select Board sub-committee after Town Meetings are held.

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

Spring tennis lessons for grades 1-6 offered by Beaches & Recreation Division

Barnstable County AquiFund

At its April 1^st meeting, the Select Board received a presentation from Alice Rice, the Director of Barnstable County’s AquiFund, which is entering its third year of providing accessible low-interest loans to Cape Codders who are repairing or replacing failed septic systems, upgrading to innovative/alternative (I/A) septic system technologies or connecting to municipal sewers.

At this time, septic system repairs, replacements, upgrades and I/A system installations are eligible for 4%¹ interest loans.

New sewer connections are eligible on an income-based interest rate system at 0% and 2% interest loans. To be eligible for 0% and 2% betterment loans, applicants must meet the following additional criteria¹:

New program applications only.
Property must be a single-family, owner-occupied, year-round, primary residence.
Property is not used as a place of business other than a home office.

If above 0% and 2% criteria are met:

Eligible homeowners with a household income of less than 120% of Barnstable County’s median household income can qualify for a 0%¹ interest betterment loan.

Eligible homeowners with a household income of between 120% and 180% of Barnstable County’s median household income can qualify for a 2%¹ interest rate betterment loan.

Eligible homeowners with a household income of greater than 180% of Barnstable County’s median household income can qualify for a 4%¹ interest rate betterment loan.

Rental and/or seasonal properties do not qualify for 0% or 2% betterment loans at this time, even if the property is being mandated to connect to municipal sewers. Rental and/or seasonal properties qualify for 4% interest rate betterment loans only.

Properties currently on the market qualify for a 5% interest rate betterment loan only.

¹Interest rates and eligibility criteria are subject to change without notice.

All AquiFund betterment loans are subject to the following terms and conditions:

Available to residential properties only.
Maximum 20-year repayment term
14% interest rate for accounts in arrears (behind on payments)
Early repayment fees may apply.

If you have questions about interest rates or eligibility criteria, please contact Cape Cod AquiFund at (774) 330-3010.

Save the Date for a Public Safety Seminar on May 29

Over Sand Vehicle Stickers Available May 5th

While the Sticker Office is open and issuing Beach, Transfer Station, and combination stickers, Over Sand Vehicle stickers for North/Nauset Beach are not available until May 5^th to align with sticker sales in Orleans.

QR code to access 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant

Scan or Click!

Annual Town Meeting May 10th

The countdown is on to 2025 Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, May 10th beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the gymnasium at the Monomoy Regional Middle School, 425 Crowell Road.

The Town Meeting warrant will be mailed to the household of registered voters, but you don't have to wait for that delivery to start reviewing the articles. Click or scan the QR code or visit Town Meeting Central through the Town's website to access a digital version of the warrant.

New this year! The warrant contains a scorecard of all the articles and voted recommendations of the Select Board and Finance Committee so you can easily follow along and track votes. And a Town Meeting Warrant Companion has been created which provides links to videos of meetings in which each article was discussed.

Childcare will be available for ages 3 & up by reservation. Drop off begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Middle School Library. Please email smabile@chatham-ma.gov with your name, address, contact phone number, your child’s name, age and any medical issues no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Transportation to Annual Town Meeting will be available, however space is limited. Please call Alexis at the Center for Active Living at 508-945-5190 to reserve a seat no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

The Annual Town Election will be held Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the Community Center, 702 Main Street. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

New to Chatham or a first-time voter? The last day to register to vote and be eligible to participate in both the Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Election is Wednesday, April 30, 2025 until 5 p.m. You can register to vote through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Online Voter Registration System or at the Town Clerk's Office, 549 Main Street.

If you are unsure if you are registered to vote, you can check your voter registration status online.

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

Sewer Construction Update

Work for the week of April 14^th – April 18^th

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

Continued sewer work is planned on Kelley Lane. Local traffic only. Police details and signage will be in place to assist residents.

Site work is planned at the Oyster Pond Condominiums (OPC) pumping station site (1233 Main Street).

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Extension

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

Mill Pond Pump Station

Sewer work continues on Mill Pond Road. Road closures are planned for Mill Pond Road and Homestead Lane, local traffic only. Work associated with the Mill Pond Pumping Station has closed 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.

April 15

To consider the transfer of the Annual All Alcoholic Beverages package store license from Eric Paone Sr. d/b/a Chatham Light Liquors, Eric Paone, Sr., Manager to Portside Liquors Chatham Inc. d/b/a Portside Liquors, George Metri, Manager, for the business located at 303 Orleans Road, North Chatham.

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

Employee Art Showcase

Don't miss your last chance to enjoy artwork created by members of Team Chatham! The installation of creations in a variety of mediums is in place at the Center for Active Living, 193 Stony Hill Road through Friday, April 18th and available for viewing 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrate Earth Week in Chatham

The Chatham Conservation Foundation, Friends of Trees, Friends of Chatham Waterways & the Friends of Sylvan Gardens have teamed up to offer a slew of programs and activities to celebrate Earth Week from Monday April 21st through Saturday, April 26^th.

The keynote presentation will take place on Earth Day, Tuesday April 22^nd at 4:00 p.m. at the Community Center, 702 Main Street. Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, will discuss water quality and the efforts required to preserve our waters.

Shellfish Constable Renee Gagne and Rob Faley, Director of Public Works, will participate in a panel discussion following a screening of Saving Our Ponds, a short film from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, on Wednesday, April 23^rd at 10:00 a.m. at the Chatham Orpheum Theater, 637 Main Street.

Stop by the Community Center on Arbor Day, Friday, April 25^th, to pick up a free whip or small sapling from the Friends of Trees. Volunteers will be on hand to offer advice on how to plant and care for them.

For a full list of scheduled events, visit the Conservation Foundation's website or click on the graphic above.

Next Select Board Meeting - April 15, 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. April 8, 2025

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Public Hearing

A. Consider the Application to Transfer the Annual All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License from Eric Paone, Sr. d/b/a Chatham Light Liquors, Eric Paone, Sr. Manager to Portside Liquors Chatham, Inc. d/b/a Portside Liquors, George Metri, Manager for the Business Located at 303 Orleans Road

IV. Chatham Wells, PFAS, and Drinking Water Testing and Pumping Update – March 2025

V. Public Comments on Business Agenda

VI. Business Agenda

A. Arbor Day 2025 Proclamation – April 25, 2025; Friends of Trees, Inc. Chatham – Dann Jung

B. Consider Request for Use of Town Hall Basement Meeting Room for Event Space on December 31, 2025; First Night Chatham – Bunny Santullo

C. Consider Special One-Day Entertainment Licenses and Special One-Day Alcohol Permits; Chatham Historical Society – Kevin Wright, Executive Director

i. Special One-Day Entertainment Licenses

a. May 6, 2025 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at 625 Main Street

b. June 26, 2025 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at 347 Stage Harbor Rd.

c. July 19, 2025 from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm at 347 Stage Harbor Rd.

d. July 22, 2025 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at 347 Stage Harbor Rd.

e. July 24, 2025 from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm at 347 Stage Harbor Rd.

f. August 7, 2025 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at 347 Stage Harbor Rd.

g. August 21, 2025 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at 625 Main Street

h. September 11, 2025 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at 347 Stage Harbor Rd.

ii. Special One-Day Alcohol License

a. May 6, 2025 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at 625 Main Street

b. July 19, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at 347 Stage Harbor Rd.

c. July 22. 2025 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at 347 Stage Harbor Rd.

d. July 24, 2025 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at 347 Stage Harbor Rd.

D. Consider Removal of Restricted Parking in front of 513 Main Street – Director of Community Development Katie Donovan (Continued from September 10, 2024)

E. Consider Recommendation for Updated Parks & Beaches and North Beach Island Rules and Regulations – Deputy Director of Community Services, Recreation and Beaches Aimee Howell

F. Consider Adoption of Town Facility Use Policy; First Read – Deputy Director of Community Services, Recreation and Beaches Aimee Howell

G. Housing Development Test Fits for 127 Old Harbor Road (former Ellis Property) – Housing and Sustainability Director Gloria McPherson (Public Comment will be Allowed)

H. Consider Committee Appointment – Economic Development Advisory Committee

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!

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