Water Conservation Restrictions Implemented

On April 29^th the Select Board, acting as Water & Sewer Commissioners, voted to implement water conservation measures for Chatham’s municipal water system in response to the Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Office’s ongoing declaration of a Level 2 – Significant Drought for all of Cape Cod.

Effective Thursday, May 1, 2025 and until further notice, all non-essential outdoor water use shall be restricted to no more than two days per week. Watering by sprinkler or irrigation is allowed on customer assigned days only before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.

• Odd numbered addresses are assigned Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Even numbered addresses are assigned Wednesdays and Fridays.

As a reminder, non-essential uses include:

• Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems
• Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety
• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks (except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or concrete).

Households and businesses that draw water from private wells are exempt from these restrictions; however, the Town encourages their participation given their impact on our shared aquifer. 

Mandatory water restrictions put in place now will help protect our resources and possibly reduce greater water shortages this summer. The Chatham Water Department respectfully requests the support of our residents and business community in complying with these restrictions to ensure the future health and adequacy of our water supply.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Chatham Water Department at (508) 945-5150.

Volunteer Opportunity: Honor Our Veterans

Join us on Monday, May 12^th (rain date May 16^th) at 10:30 a.m. as we place flags on veterans' graves in preparation for Memorial Day. It's a simple but powerful way to show our gratitude for those who served.

All are welcome — families, friends, and community groups! Flags will be provided. Let’s come together to remember and honor our heroes.

If you’d like to volunteer, please contact: Quinn Forman at qforman@chatham-ma.gov or call 508-945-5117.

Thank you for helping us keep their memory alive!

Select Board Action April 29th

The meeting opened with the presentation of the Town’s first Lighthouse Award to Alexis Weglarz, Department Coordinator for the Council on Aging for guiding others with compassion, clarity, and a service to our community. Alexis was recognized for her efforts to assist a client of the Ryder’s Cove Respite Program who she encountered wandering alone along a roadway as she drove home from work one afternoon. Ms. Weglarz contacted the Program’s Director and waited with the client until their caregiver was contacted and arrived to bring the client home. Alexis’ actions averted a potential crisis.

District Attorney Rob Galibois updated the Board on the actions of his office over the last year. He noted the creation of the Child Emergency Response Team, and his offices work to combat human trafficking and fentanyl. He noted the award of $1 million over four years to his office from Cape Cod Healthcare to address substance abuse by tracking overdose cases throughout the region. He discussed the work on elder fraud that is taking place on Cape and his efforts to secure funds to investigate and prosecute these cases.

Bob Wirtshafter, Chair of the Energy and Climate Action Committee, noted the areas in which the Committee was active over the last year. He noted the Committee’s current salt marsh studies and its pursuit of additional Community Preservation Act funding to study more marshes. He reviewed the Committees efforts to improve their communications with the public. Sarah Griscom briefly described thin layer disposition for salt marshes. The Board approved a change to the wording of the Committee’s charge to be clearer and more concise.

The Board approved the use of a portion of the Old Colony Rail Trail in South Chatham for a Charity 5K Fun Run hosted by Short ‘n Sweet Ice Cream. The Board approved several requests related to the 5^th Annual Witches on the Water Fundraiser to be held in October at Oyster Pond.

The Board accepted the donation of a permanent sign, benches and a picnic table to be placed at the recently completed Marconi/RCA Conservation Trail at Ryder’s Cove from the Friends of Ryder’s Cove Marconi Triangle.

Director Rob Faley said the region remains in Level 2 Significant Drought Status, however, as demand for water is lower at this time of year, the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee (WSAC)is recommending measures to restrict water usage in line with a Level 1 Mild Drought Status. He presented the two options for restrictions offered by the WSAC.

The Select Board, acting as the Water and Sewer Commissioners, voted to implement mandatory water conservation restrictions from May 1st through September 30th or until rescinded that will  align closely with neighboring towns allowing nonessential outdoor water use no more than two days per week before 9am and after 5pm and allowing watering by sprinkler or irrigation on customer assigned days only before 9am and after 5pm; odd house #’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays; even house #’s on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith described the proposed Sewer Assistance Grant Program Policy which pays funds directly to the vendor with eligibility criteria including approval of a AquiFund betterment loan from Barnstable County. The Board reviewed the Policy and suggested some clarifying edits. No action was taken at this time.

Leo Eldredge was appointed to the Airport Commission.

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith reviewed items from the March 2025 Town Manager’s Report and noted current items including the re-affirmation of the Town’s AAA bond rating with a stable outlook, committee vacancies, and recent presentations by staff members at community events.

Select Board Chair Mike Schell reviewed the Town Manager’s evaluation for FY2025 and CY2024. He described the evaluation process and the performance areas that are evaluated as well as the numerical rating equivalents. He said the Town Manager’s overall performance is rated at 3.72 (out of 4.0) for the evaluation period. He read some of the comments submitted by Board members. Town Manager Jill Goldsmith thanked the Board for their comments and feedback, and the great work of Town staff contributing to the overall rating.

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

Mill Creek Dredging Completed

The County Dredge finished work Thursday to remove the large shoal which formed across the entrance channel to Mill Creek. The dredged material was placed at Cockle Cove to address significant erosion and loss of clear access to the beach. Material was 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.

Upcoming Public Hearings

The Select Board will hold the following public hearings during their regularly scheduled meetings beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

May 20th

To consider a request for an exemption from Local Licensing Regulations Section IV, General Provisions, “Licensed Hours”, to allow people to use the outdoor patio of The Chatham Squire, located at 487 Main Street, Chatham, for smoking and vaping after the required closing of the patio for the service of alcohol.

May 27th

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) handhole 48/H23-5A and 40’ +/- 1-2” conduit to a customer installed handhole 48/H23-5B to provide new underground service to the customer located at 351 Barn Hill Road.

The public is encouraged to participate in-person or through the link in the posted agenda.

Shorebird Update

Piping plovers are present on most Town beaches with several pairs having nests with eggs present.  Fencing has been adjusted to protect new nests where warranted. Please keep children out of fenced areas.

Remember, as of May 1st dogs are no longer allowed on Town beaches.

Small Vessel Speed Restrictions in Cape Cod Bay

As a result of the ongoing presence of right whales, the Division of Marine Fisheries is extending the small vessel speed restriction in Cape Cod Bay through May 15, 2025 (see Declaration). Small vessels (less than 65’) are required to travel at speeds no greater than 10 knots in this area. Right whales are highly susceptible to injury and death due to vessel collision. A complementary federal speed restriction in the same area applies to vessels 65’ and greater until May 15.

During a partial aerial survey on April 29, the Center for Coastal Studies documented 49 right whales in Cape Cod Bay, including one mother/calf pair, all of which were skim feeding at the surface or just below the surface. This feeding behavior makes them highly susceptible to vessel collision. Acoustic detections of right whales on a near real-time monitoring buoy in Cape Cod Bay also shows continued strong presence of right whales in the area. This monitoring buoy is a collaboration between DMF and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Information about those acoustic detections can be found here.

All mariners are thus advised to follow the 10-knot speed limit and use extreme caution when transiting the area. Additionally, it is unlawful, under state and federal law, to approach a right whale within 500 yards.

If you observe a right whale entangled in fishing gear while on the water, report it immediately to the 2 Center for Coastal Studies (800-900-3622), the state Office of Environmental Law Enforcement (800- 632-8075) or the federal Entanglement Hot Line: (866-755-6622). For more information regarding the management of protected species in Massachusetts, please visit our website.