American flag flying at half staff against a blue sky

AAA Bond Rating Reaffirmed

Jill R. Goldsmith, Chatham Town Manager, is proud to announce that on April 23, 2025, S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed the Town’s ‘AAA’ bond rating, the highest possible, in connection with the upcoming sale of its $8.185 million General Obligation Municipal-Purpose Loan of 2025 bonds for previously approved projects.

This reaffirmation reflects the Town’s strong fiscal stewardship, prudent financial planning, and continued economic resilience. Chatham remains one of only a select group of municipalities across the nation to achieve and maintain this elite bond rating.

S&P Global’s report cited several strengths supporting the AAA rating, including:

Desirability of the community with an extremely large tax base;
Consistent operating surpluses based on predictable property tax revenue and cautious budgetary assumptions;
Healthy reserve levels that are expected to remain favorable even with planned drawdowns for key infrastructure projects;
Proactive capital and long-term financial planning, including critical wastewater and PFAS remediation projects.

“The Town is committed to responsible financial governance, and this rating reflects our ongoing efforts to balance community needs with long-term sustainability,” said Town Manager Jill Goldsmith. “Maintaining the highest bond rating helps Chatham secure the most favorable interest rates, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars as we invest in essential infrastructure and services.”

S&P also acknowledged Chatham’s proactive approach to environmental risk management, highlighting coastal resiliency efforts, the implementation of the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan currently being updated and the hiring of a Coastal Resiliency Director.

The rating outlook remains stable based on the agency’s expectation that Chatham will maintain generally balanced operations and a healthy fund balance that will remain comparable with that of other ‘AAA’ rated municipalities.

The reaffirmation of the AAA rating provides further evidence of Chatham’s strong financial health and management, even as the Town proceeds with significant capital improvements.

The ratings review is associated with an upcoming bond sale of $8.185M for previously approved projects, which includes the Transfer Station, Waterfront Infrastructure, and Wastewater. The Select Board is scheduled to award the bond sale at its meeting on May 6, 2025.

Temporary Closure – Town Clerk’s Office

The Town Clerk’s office will be closed on Monday, April 28^th until 12 noon to accommodate its temporary relocation to an adjacent meeting space due to construction to bring Town offices into compliance with ADA requirements.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience as this important work is completed.

Blue Water Droplet with a green wave below

3rd Annual Big Blue Conference

The Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation will hold its 3rd Annual Big Blue Conference from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29^th and from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30^th at the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, 351 Pleasant Bay Road, Harwich.

This year leaders in the field of education, curriculum development, and workforce training will share how the Blue Economy fits in their visions of the future for learners of all ages. The conference will also explore climate impacts on working waterfronts, advancements in aquaculture, and how innovation leads to conversation.

Our own Director of Natural Resources, Greg Berman, will serve on the panel on "Climate Impacts on Working Waterfronts," moderated by Cape Cod on the Fly's Patrick Cassidy on Wednesday.

Tickets are available for both or individual days. For more information and to purchase tickets visit Big Blue Conference | Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc..

Tax bills are due Thursday May 1st by 4 p.m.

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Members of the Select Board seated on the dais in front of Annual Town meeting audience

Annual Town Meeting & Election Information

Chatham's Annual Town Meeting will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025 beginning at 11 a.m. at the Monomoy Regional Middle School, 425 Crowell Rood.

The Town Meeting warrant is posted to Town Meeting Central, and one copy has been mailed to the household of each registered voter. Additional copies are available in the lobby of the Town Offices, 549 Main Street.

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.

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.

The deadline to submit a Vote By Mail application is May 8th at 5 p.m. Deadline to return a Vote By Mail Ballot to the Town Clerk's Dropbox is May 15th at 8 p.m.

In-person Absentee voting is available until 12 p.m. on May 14th for those who are unable to Vote By Mail and are unable to vote in person on Election Day.

Aerial of the West Chatham Neighborhood District Bounds

West Chatham Neighborhood Center FAQ’s

Planning Board Chair Art Spruch and Vice Chair Kathryn Halpern sat down with Town Planner Christine O’Grady to answer frequently asked questions on the proposal to establish the West Chatham Neighborhood Center as a new Zoning District.

The proposal is the subject of Articles 39 and 40 of the Annual Town Meeting warrant which seek to amend the Town's Protective (Zoning) Bylaw and Zoning Map to establish the District. Learn more about the proposed change and what it means by watching this short video.

Kevin Moore's retirement party from the Fire Department is May 10 1-4 at the VFW

Monomoy Regional Middle School Project

Article 11 of the 2025 Annual Town Meeting warrant seeks the Town’s approval for the Monomoy Regional School District to authorize a debt exclusion in the amount of $9,007,030 to fund additional costs to replace siding, trim, and windows at the Monomoy Regional Middle School.

Based on the Regional Agreement and three-year average foundation enrollment Chatham’s share of the project is estimated at $2,008,730 or 23.19%. The District would be responsible for the full cost of the borrowing and would incorporate the debt payments into each Town’s annual assessment.

To provide community members with opportunities to learn more about this project and have their questions answered, Monomoy will hold an information session in Chatham on April 29, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chatham Community Center.

The School District has also produced an informative video of the project featuring members of its Building Committee to educate voters on the project in advance of Town Meeting votes in both Chatham and Harwich.

Team Chatham Celebrates Earth Week

In celebration of Earth Week, the Friends of Chatham Waterways (a non-profit organization committed to the protection, wise use, and enjoyment of Chatham's fresh and salt waterways), held an informational event at the Orpheum Theater on April 23^rd.

After several brief educational videos, a panelist discussion convened where Renee Gagne, Shellfish Constable, and Rob Faley, Director of Public Works, were joined by Susan Baur, Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage (OLAUG) and Kristin Andres, Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod, who discussed impacts to Chatham’s water resources. The primary focus was on education with a campaign for residents to take the Chatham Water Pledge which aims to improve the health and quality of our fresh and salt waters by raising public awareness to conserve water and reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides. The Pledge asks residents to skip the fertilizer, avoid pesticides, conserve water, and grow a Cape-friendly lawn.

Eater Treatment Plant and Water Pollution Control Facility

DPW Water Division Open House Events

The Department of Public Works Water Division will host Open House events on Saturday, May 3^rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both the Water Pollution Control Facility, 59 Sam Ryder Road, and the Water Treatment Plant, 375 Morton Road, to kick off Drinking Water Week.

Our Water & Sewer professionals will be on hand at both locations to give tours and answer questions. Stop by either or both locations to learn about the science, engineering, and operations that ensure that clean water comes to your tap – and where it goes after it is used.

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 28th – May 2nd:

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

Sewer work will continue on Kelley Lane. Local traffic only. Police details and signage will be in place to assist residents.

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

Tree work is planned in the Pond View Neighborhood.

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Extension

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

Mill Pond Pump Station

Sewer work will continue 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.

Lunch & learn in script with a fork above and a pen below

Lunch & Learn at the CFAL

On Friday, May 2^nd join Terry Whalen, Principal Projects and Operation Administrator, and Leah LaCross, Director of Community Services, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Center for Active Living (CFAL), 193 Stony Hill Road for a review of the proposed expansion and renovation of the CFAL which is the subject of Article 17 of the 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

Take a look at the plans and have all your questions answered. The information session will be followed by lunch from Cape Cod Coffee at Chatham Perk.

Registration is required and is limited to 25 participants.

A wheelchair ramp leading to a white porch with flowers along the path

Home Modification Loan Program

The Home Modification Loan Program is a state funded loan program that provides financing to homeowners and small landlords for accessibility renovations to keep a household member with a disability or an older adult (60+) in their own home.

It is not a repair program but funds projects including the installation of ramps and lifts, bathroom and kitchen adaptations, sensory integration space, fencing, as well as accessory dwelling units.

Loan Information:

$1,000-$50,000 loan to property owner
0% interest
No monthly payments
Repayment is required when the property is sold or transferred
$1,000-$30,000 for owners of manufactured or mobile homes
Landlords with fewer than 10 units may be eligible for a 3% loan for a tenant

If you have questions email Kerri Kelly, Community Services Outreach Coordinator, or give her a call at 508-945-5190.

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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