Chatham Independence Day Parade route map

Independence Day Parade Information

Keep the following parking and access restrictions in mind when making your plans to attend the Independence Day Parade.

The following parking restrictions will go into effect at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 4th for Chatham's Independence Day Parade:

No Parking – Tow zone – Main St from the Rotary to Shore Rd. on the south side

No Parking – Tow zone – Main St from the Rotary to Seaview St. on the north side

No Parking – Tow zone – Main St. from Tale of the Cod to Shore Rd.

No Parking – Tow zone – Crowell Rd to Stony Hill Rd. & Hitching Post Rd.

No Parking – Tow zone – Hitching Post, Tip Cart, Depot Rd.

After 2:30 am, chairs etc. can be placed on Main St. in the downtown area in the marked streetside parking areas. Anything placed prior to 2:30 am will be removed. The Town is not responsible for anything left on Main Street.

7:00 a.m. - Shore Road will close, with access for Parade and local traffic only. Access will be one way south bound to allow parade participants to line up and prepare. Officers will be in place to assist.

8:30 a.m. - Main Street (downtown) from the Rotary to Shore Rd. will be closed to vehicle traffic.

9:00 a.m. - Main Street (downtown) from Crowell Rd./Queen Anne Rd. closes to all traffic.

9:30 a.m. - the Parade steps off.

Holiday Closures

The Town Offices, Community Center, Center for Active Living, and the Transfer Station will all be closed on Friday, July 4th in observance of the holiday.

Early Beach Closures This Weekend

In an effort to ensure a safe and respectful holiday for all, the Town of Chatham will be closing its south-facing beaches and Lighthouse Beach one hour earlier than usual over the July 4th weekend. Beach parking lots will close at 9:00 p.m., and the beaches will be cleared of visitors shortly thereafter.

This temporary adjustment is being implemented in the interest of public safety and to reduce the potential for disorderly behavior during a traditionally busy and high-traffic holiday weekend. Chatham Police officers will be present to enforce the earlier closures.

The Town may implement similar beach restrictions on select dates throughout the summer, as determined by public safety officials and based on expected beach activity levels.

Chatham remains committed to welcoming all who wish to enjoy our natural beauty while ensuring the health, safety, and enjoyment of everyone.

Leave Fireworks to the Professionals

The Fourth of July is here and the night air is filled with the sights and sounds of fireworks. Unfortunately, too many of them are fired off by individuals who are possessing and using them illegally in Massachusetts.

Every summer people are hurt, and property is destroyed by fires that start with illegal fireworks. More of these incidents take place during the week of July 4th than at any other time of the year.

Please, don't contribute to a serious fire, injury, or other emergency: leave fireworks to the professionals. If you missed the fireworks in Town last night, you can find a complete list of professional permitted displays on the MA Division of Fire Services website.

Visiting North Beach Island

If a visit to North Beach Island is in your plans for the summer, please review the rules and regulations governing the use of the beach. Please enjoy the beauty of the valued natural resource responsibly!

Watch this short video for reminders from Team Chatham.

COA offers library pick-up and drop-off in the summer

Guarded Beaches – Status Check

If you are heading to one of Chatham’s beaches and want to ensure the safety of your friends and family, visit https://chathamma.myrec.com/info/default.aspx before heading out and look for the red bar at the top of the webpage to check on the status of lifeguards at Town beaches for the day.

Temporary Closure – Treasurer/Collector Office

The Treasurer/Collector’s Office, 549 Main Street, will be closed on Friday, July 11th for minor construction work. Office staff will be on-site to answer questions and provide information but tax/utility payments will only be accepted through the blue payment drop box in the vestibule.

Message from the Summer Residents Advisory Committee encouraging participation in their weekly meetings

Stone marker next to a bike path with cyclists

Choose the Old Colony Rail Trail

Enjoy your ride and stick to the Old Colony Rail Trail while biking in Chatham this summer. The Rail Trail runs parallel to Route 28 from the Town line in South Chatham to the terminus of the Trail at Crowell Road.

Chatham TV has produced this short public service announcement to illustrate the ease and safety of riding the Trail and staying off Route 28.

Chatham Railroad Museum 65th Anniversary Celebration

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.

July 8

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) handhole 20/HA57 and 100 feet of +/- 1 to 3 inches conduit. This construction is necessary to provide new underground service to the customer located at 739 Crowell Road, Chatham.

July 22

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install two (2) handholes 291/HA2 and 291/HB2 and 35 feet plus or minus 1-3 inches conduit. The purpose of this construction is to provide new underground service to the customer located at 41 Lakeview Avenue.

To consider a request for a new annual entertainment license for indoor and outdoor live music for Hey Joe & Jam, 16 Seaquanset Road, Chatham, MA 02633.

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

A poem posted on a stake on a wooded trail

Poetry Walk at McCoy Tree Farm

The 2025 Poetry Walk is located at the McCoy Tree Farm Conservation Area, 1575 Old Queen Anne Road.

The Poetry Walk is a collaboration between the Eldredge Public Library, the Town of Chatham, and the Chatham Conservation Foundation which promotes literacy, learning, and a deeper appreciation of and connection with the natural world.

Twenty-six poems are posted along the half-mile loop trail which passes through woodland habitats. The 11-acre property was a working tree farm owned, operated, and planted by the McCoy Family until it was purchased by the Town in 2006. Parking at the site is limited.

Next Select Board Meeting - July 8, 2025 @ 5:00 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 10, 2025

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Public Hearing

A. To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) handhole 20/HA57 and 100 feet +/- 1-3 inches conduit at 739 Crowell Road, Chatham

IV. Public Comments on Business Agenda

V. Business Agenda

A. Consider Special One-Day Alcohol License for Benefit Fashion Show on July 25, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at 625 Main Street, Chatham – Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary, Chatham-Harwich Branch

B. Consider Special One-Day Alcohol License for “Cheese Board Event” on July 29, 2025 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm at 465 Main Street, Chatham – Mahi Gold

C. Consider Requests for Taste of Chatham 2025 on July 28, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Cross Street, Chatham (Chase Park) – Monomoy Community Services

D. Consider Application for New Common Victualler License and Special One-Day Entertainment License for July 12, 2025 from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon at 18 Seaquanset Road, Chatham; Hey Joe & Jam

E. Update on Watershed Permit Planning and Sewer Expansion Efforts

F. Consider Chatham Sewer Assistance Grant Program Policy – Second Read (Continued from 4/29/2025) – Public Comment will be Accepted

G. Discussion of Potential Fines and Rate(s) for Unmetered Irrigation Use of Town Water (Select Board Agenda Item Request by J. Dykens and D. Nicastro 6/24/25)

H. Consider Appointments/Reappointments

i. Barnstable County HOME Consortium Advisory Council

ii. Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees

iii. Zoning Board of Appeals

iv. Airport Commission

v. Historical Commission

vi. Conservation Commission

vii. Traffic Safety Committee and Open Space 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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