American flag flying at half staff against a blue sky

Half Staff Notification

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 at all state buildings from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in honor of Staff Sergeant Loring E. Lord of Somerville, MA who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces 642d Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Division, 9th Air Force, during World War II. The remains of Staff Sergeant Lord, who was killed in action during a bombardment mission to Duelmen, Germany, on 21 March 1945, will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everrett, Massachusetts on this day.

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

Incorporation Day Celebration

On Wednesday, June 11th at 10 a.m. the Eldredge Public Library will host the commemoration of the 313th anniversary of the incorporation of the village of Monomoit as the Town of Chatham in 1712.

An account of the Town’s 200th Anniversary celebration, safeguarded in the Town Clerk’s vault, details the events of August 1st and 2nd, 1912. The evening of August 1st featured a catered dinner under a tent featuring cold roasted turkey, cold boiled ham, cold boiled tongue, hot mashed potatoes, fresh vegetable salad, olives, dill pickles, rolls and butter, assorted creams and sherbets, frozen pudding, assorted cakes and coffee. A parade was the featured event on August 2nd in which many local organizations entered decorated horse-drawn carriages.

Select Board Summer Schedule

The Select Board will hold its final regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 10th beginning at 5:30 p.m. before moving to its summer meeting schedule. The Board’s Tuesday, June 17th meeting is dedicated to Board & Committee candidate interviews beginning at 5 p.m.

Beginning on Tuesday, June 24th, the Board will begin meeting every other week at 5:00 p.m. through October 14th.

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

Select Board Action – June 3rd

The Select Board held two public hearings to open its meeting on June 3rd.

The Board approved a petition from Verizon New England Inc. and NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) new pole numbered 51/6.5, located 20 feet East of existing pole numbered 51/7, directly Southeast of the intersection of Depot Road and Hitching Post Road. The proposed pole will fall approximately four (4) feet South of the sidewalk, adjacent to Chatham Veterans Field.

After hearing from abutters and the customer at 351 Barn Hill Road, the Board conditionally approved a petition from Verizon New England Inc. and NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) new midspan pole numbered 48/23.5, located one hundred-six (106) feet North of existing pole numbered 48/24 on Barn Hill Road upon verification of the pole location.

The Board renewed fish weir licenses for Nantucket Fish Weirs.

Hiring a Parks, Grounds, and Cemetery laborer

Man standing at the Sticker Office counter

Updated Sticker Office Hours

The Sticker Office will be open the following hours in the month of June:

Mondays & Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursdays & Fridays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Two cyclists riding on a bike path beside a stone mile marker

Old Colony Rail Trail Reminders

It’s time for your annual reminders about cycling on the Old Colony Rail Trail (OCRT)!

Please remember to:

• Wear protective head gear (required by law for all riders 16 and under).

• Keep to the right, ride single file.

• Come to a full stop at all Stop signs. The Stop signs face OCRT riders, not crossing traffic.

• Dismount and walk your bike across all crosswalks. Vehicles are required to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks; cyclists are not pedestrians until they dismount.

• When passing pedestrians or other cyclists, do so on the left and alert those you are passing.

• Move off the trail when stopped.

• Obey all traffic laws when utilizing on-road routes of sections of the OCRT.

• Respect private property adjacent to the Trail.

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

Upcoming Public Hearings

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

June 10th

To consider increases to the current list of Town of Chatham Transfer Station fees as follows:

9-11 bags of garbage, increase from $15 to $20
Commercial Garbage, increase from $90/T to $175/T
Commercial Single Stream Recycling, increase from $110/T to $150/T
Chair (upholstered), increase from $5/ea. to $15/ea.
Demolition/Construction Debris, increase from $190/T to $225/T
Mattresses & Box Springs, increase from $30/ea. to $50/ea.
Sofa, increase from $15/ea. to $30/ea.
Large Truck Tires, increase from $15/ea. to $20/ea.
Fire Extinguishers, increase from $2/ea. to $10/ea.

And to consider establishing a new category of Transfer Station Fees:

Crib Mattresses, establish this item and charge $10/ea.

June 24

To consider a request for increased sewer flow of 266.55 gpd for 878-880 Main Street, Chatham, to accommodate a new floor plan consisting of 291 sf of retail space (14.55 gpd), 2 bedrooms (220 gpd), and 3-chair salon (300 gpd) which would result in a total of 534.55 gpd flow.

Interested parties are encouraged to participate in-person or through the links in the meetings’ posted agendas.

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

Sewer Construction Update

Week of June 9th - 13th

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

Water work will continue on Kelley Lane. Local traffic only. Police detail(s) will be on-site and signage in place to assist residents.

On Thursday, June 12th and Friday, June 13th, pavement preparation and paving is planned on Kelley Lane and Pond View Lane. Local traffic only. Police detail(s) will be on-site and signage in place to assist residents.

Sewer work is planned to begin on Smith Street at the intersection with Vineyard Avenue. Local traffic only, detour will be in place. Police detail(s) will be on-site and signage in place to assist residents.

Stage Harbor Sewer Extension Project

No work planned!

Mill Pond Pump Station

Site work will continue at the Mill Pond pumping station site (85 Mill Pond Road).

Ribbon cutting announcement for Marconi Conservation Trail

Gold concentric circles with Cape Cod Commission in gray below

Cape Cod Freshwater Strategy

The Cape Cod Commission has released the final Freshwater Strategy, a comprehensive, data-driven plan that defines a path forward for Cape Cod to support healthy, functioning ponds and lakes.

Grounded in extensive research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, the Freshwater Strategy provides a framework for improving the health of Cape Cod’s ponds and lakes. It identifies key challenges, proposes targeted solutions, and offers actionable strategies for municipalities, pond organizations, and community stakeholders to ensure long-term water quality and ecosystem health.

The Cape Cod Freshwater Strategy highlights the urgent need to prioritize pond health across Cape Cod. The plan includes thirteen key recommendations to improve the region’s understanding of ponds and lakes, support improved freshwater habitats and water quality, and enable local and regional action.

For more information and to access the Cape Cod Freshwater Strategy, visit www.capecodcommission.org/freshwater .

Pride Weekend Events

June is Pride month and this year Lower Cape Pride is sponsoring Pride Weekend events, Friday, June 13th to Sunday, June 15th.

Highlights include an intergenerational BBQ at the Orleans Council on Aging on Friday, and a Pride Parade on Main Street in Orleans and full afternoon of programs at the Cape Rep Theater in Brewster on Saturday. A full schedule of events is available on the organization’s website.

Lower Cape Pride is an intergenerational grassroots organization dedicated to uniting, celebrating, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.

CG Auxiliary Boating Skills Courses

Boating season is here and we want to make sure you stay safe on the water.

The Chatham Flotilla of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering an in-person one-day boating skills course, “Boat America,” on two upcoming dates –Friday, June 13th and Saturday, July 12th. Each sessions will run from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 702 Main Street.

The “Boat America” course includes an overview of navigation rules, legal requirements, safe operation, and what to do in the event of an emergency on the water, as well as instructions on trailering, storing, and protecting your boat. Instructors are Coast Guard Auxiliary certified.

The “Boat America” course meets all certification requirements for boaters as specified in the recently enacted Massachusetts law, the Hanson Milone Act, obligating all vessel operators to posses a safe boating certificate by 2026.

To enroll in a session, visit the Chatham Flotilla’s website and follow the link to Boating Courses. The class fee is $45 and may be paid via PayPal. Course book and other materials will be provided to participants on the day of the course. Participants are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes prior to class, as instruction will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the US Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all its service missions. For more information visit www.cgaux.org.

Young Colonial Gardeners

Stop by the Atwood House Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road on Friday, June 13th or Saturday, June 14th between 10:30 and 12:30 p.m. for Young Colonial Gardeners activity sessions.

A perfect activity while parents tour the Museum, children of all ages will explore the Atwood gardens, learn about gardening in Colonial times, and even plant a potted mini garden to take home with them.

Tickets are $5 per child and available at the Museum door.

Next Select Board Meeting - June 10, 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. June 3, 2025

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Public Hearing

A. Consider increases to the current list of Town of Chatham Transfer Station fees and to consider establishing a new category of Transfer Station Fees for crib mattresses.

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

A. Consider Water Conservation Measures as Recommended by the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee

V. Public Comments on Business Agenda

VI. Business Agenda

A. Consider Special One Day Alcohol Licenses for Oktoberfest 2025 – Kristin Muller, Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association (Continued from May 27, 2025)

B. Consider Granting Permission for Use of Town Facilities, a Special One Day Alcohol License, and a Special One Day Entertainment License; Town Beach Party on June 18, 2025 and Back to Summer ’25 Concert on July 5, 2025 – Theresa Malone, Monomoy Community Services

C. Consider Four (4) Special One Day Alcohol Licenses; Creative Arts Center at 154 Crowell Road for June 19, 2025; July 25, 2025; September 5, 2025; and October 17, 2025 – Amy Middleton, Chatham Creative Arts Center (Continued from June 3, 2025)

D. Consider Enhanced Security and Safety Measures for Chatham’s Public Beaches for the July 4 Holiday Weekend and Remainder of Summer Season – Police Chief Michael Anderson

E. Consider Amending the Meeting Public Participation Policy – Member Cory Metters – Public Comment will be Accepted

F. Discussion on Camera Use by Remote Public Participants in Select Board Meetings – Vice Chair Jeffrey Dykens – Public Comment will be Accepted

G. Discussion on Minute Taking for Select Board Meetings – Clerk Stuart Smith – Public Comment will be Accepted

H. Consider Rescinding Backlog of Agenda Item Requests and Allow for a Fixed Period of Time for Sponsors to Submit a New Request for the Item via the Executive Assistant – Chair Dean Nicastro – Public Comment will be Accepted

I. Consider Appointments/Reappointments

i. Consider Slate of Candidates for Reappointment to Advisory and Non-Regulatory Committees

ii. Cemetery Commission

iii. Summer Residents Advisory Committee

iv. 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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