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Welcome back to Larry's PX!

It was a great turnout Wednesday morning for the Chatham Chamber of Commerce's ribbon cutting celebrating the re-opening of this local institution. Select Board Chair Dean Nicastro presented a citation on behalf of the Board and Town Manager Jill Goldsmith and Executive Director of the Chamber Angela Bucar presented owners Jay and Sue Case with a "Welcome to Chatham" sign before Jay cut the ribbon.

Climate Impacts in Chatham

Don’t miss “Climate Impacts in Chatham: Understanding & Managing the Risks” on Thursday, September 25th form 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center, 702 Main Street.

This free event will highlight how climate change is already affecting our community, what lies ahead, and the steps the Town and its residents can take to prepare.

Featured presenters include Chris Gloninger, Senior Climate Scientist, and Joe Famely, Climate & Sustainability Team Lead, both from Group Woods Hole and Chatham’s own Director of Natural Resources Greg Berman and Catherine Ricks, Coast Resilience Director.

Topics will include:

The latest science on climate impacts and risks, including changing weather patterns, sea-level rise, and flood risks.
Best available flood risk maps and projections for Chatham
Actions the Town has taken—and is planning—to strengthen resilience and protect the community.
Results from the recent Community Climate Survey, showing how organizations, businesses, and residents are already responding.

Following the presentations, there will be an open Q&A session to engage the community and discuss priorities for the next phase of Chatham’s climate action planning.

The event will be recorded for future viewing through Chatham TV’s on-demand archive.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

Are you noticing more extreme weather, increased coastal flooding, or other weather and climate changes happening in Chatham? Are you concerned about storms and other natural hazards?

Please take our Hazard Mitigation Plan survey!

The Town is updating the 2018 Chatham Hazard Mitigation Plan, which assesses our community’s natural hazard risks and prioritizes actions to reduce our vulnerability to hazard impacts. Updating the plan helps maintain the town’s eligibility for hazard mitigation grants and related funding.

This survey, which will take just a few minutes to complete, provides an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and participate in the hazard planning process.

Please complete this survey by October 13th, 2025.

If you would like to learn more about how you can participate in the development of the 2025 Chatham Hazard Mitigation Plan, please contact Town Planner Christine O’Grady at cogrady@chatham-ma.gov.

Tax Bills Mailed Today

The first installment of FY2026 Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills were mailed out today with payments due by 4 p.m. on November 3rd.

Payments may be made by US Mail, or in-person at the Treasurer/Collector’s office or drop box at 549 Main Street.

Online payments can be made through the Town of Chatham’s website through City Hall Systems.

As a reminder, online features through City Hall Systems include e-billing, a single shopping cart for multiple bill types, as well as giving the online user the ability to view and print original bill copies for this current or past fiscal year which will be useful when filing annual taxes. All ACH (electronic check) transactions are free of charge. Credit/debit card payments are charged 2.95% ($1 minimum) of the amount charged.

Contributions to the newly established Taxation Aid Fund may be made in the designated space on your real estate tax bill or via online payment.

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

Sewer Construction Update

September 22^nd – September 26^th

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

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

Continued site work is planned at the Independence Lane pumping station site. Police detail(s) and signage will be in place in the vicinity of the work (as needed).

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Extension Project

Tentative - intermittent site and work is planned at the pumping station site (Old Mill Boat Yard/Harbormasters Garage).

Tentative – gas utility work is planned for Wednesday, 9/24 for the Harbormasters Garage/Pumping Station on Stage Harbor Road. Police detail(s) and signage will be in place in the vicinity of the work.

Mill Pond Pumping Station

Tentative - gas utility work is planned for the pumping station in the Mill Pond Road/Homestead Lane area. Police detail(s) and signage will be in place in the vicinity of the work.

Adult tennis lessons are offered at the Community Center on Sundays at 9 a.m. beginning Sept. 21st

Two dogs in pet carriers with a water bowl and bottle of water in front of them

Emergency Preparedness Month

Don’t Forget Your Pets!

When preparing for emergencies, it’s important to plan for every member of your household—including your pets. In the event of a storm, power outage, or evacuation, pets will rely on you to keep them safe and cared for.

As you build or update your emergency kit during Emergency Preparedness Month, be sure to include items for your pets:

Food and fresh water for several days
Medications and medical supplies
Collars, leashes, or carriers for safe transport
Copies of health certificates and vaccination records
A favorite toy, blanket, or comfort item to reduce stress in unfamiliar settings

If an evacuation is necessary, many shelters require proof of vaccinations and that pets are safely secured. Planning ahead helps ensure your whole family—including four-legged members—can stay safe and together during an emergency.

Take time this month to review your household plan, update your supplies, and practice preparedness.

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 hearings during their regularly scheduled meetings on Tuesdays, beginning at 5:00 p.m., in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

October 14

To consider a request for a new annual entertainment license for indoor concerts, live bands, and public shows including amplified live music for the Chatham Orpheum Theater at 637 Main Street, Chatham, MA.

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

Level 2 Drought Status Remains

The Cape, with the exception of the Elizabeth Islands, remains in Level 2 Significant Drought Status.

Please continue to adhere to the water conservation measures restricting all non-essential outdoor water use 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.

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.

Fix-It Clinic at the Eldredge Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 27th from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Select Board seated at the dais in the large meeting room

Select Board Action – September 16th

The Select Board approved the installation of two (2) Rapid Flashing Beacons on Sam Ryder Road at the intersection of Sam Ryder Road with the Old Colony Rail Trail at the request of the Bikeways Committee and upon the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee.

The Board approved an application for a Seasonal All-Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License for CCNY, LLC d/b/a Pain D’Avignon, 71 Crowell Road.

With the passage of the Consent Agenda, the Board approved the Sale of Goods on Town property by the Chatham Men’s Club on October 17th at the Community Center and the Use of Town Property and Sale of Goods on Town Property for the Annual Holiday Shopping Fair hosted by the Recreation and Beaches Division at the Community Center on November 22nd.

Public Works Director Rob Faley gave an update on the Town’s drinking water wells and testing for the month of August, noting the wells pumped 15-18 hours per day. He said the work on the Treatment Plant for Wells 5&8 continues and should be completed by next spring. He noted the savings to the Town in August from the relationship with Veolia. He said water usage in August 2025 was very similar to the same month last year. He said overall usage year to date is down approximately 10 million gallons from last year. He noted unmetered water usage for the month.

The Select Board approved applications for Special One Day Alcohol licenses for Wine & Malt Beverages Only submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance for their Meet the Fleet event at 1566 Main Street on October 1st and by the Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association for Oktoberfest on October 18th. The Board also approved a Special One Day Alcohol license for Wine & Malt Beverages Only and a One Day Entertainment license for the Chatham Harvesters Seafood Festival on September 27th at 95 Commerce Park South.

The final recommendations of the Parking Solutions Working Group were presented by Community Development Director Katie Donovan. The Board discussed the recommendations on uniform signage, paid parking in core downtown parking lots, a shuttle servicing outer parking lots, and time limits on on-street parking on Main Street.

On a vote of 3-2, the Board voted to endorse the concept of implementing paid parking in the core lots and requested a recommendation back to the Board from staff on implementation.

The Board discussed recommended circulation and intersection improvements and remanded those recommendations to the Department of Public Works for reports back to the Board on what improvements could be implemented that are pedestrian friendly and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Select Board discussed assigning a liaison to the Taxation Aid Committee and agreed by consensus for Jeffrey Dykens to that serve in that role.

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

Gold concentric circles over Cape Cod Commission in gray

Regional Policy Plan Update

Comment Period Extended

The Cape Cod Commission has extended the public comment period for the draft 2025 Regional Policy Plan (RPP). The public is invited to review the document and submit comments by Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

Informed by public and stakeholder meetings, focus groups, and a resident survey, the updated Regional Policy Plan strives to support the vision for the future of Cape Cod as a region of vibrant, sustainable, and healthy communities, and protected natural and cultural resources.

Modest updates to the 2018 Regional Policy Plan recognize actions taken to implement its recommendations and to align regional priorities with Cape Cod’s current needs.

The updated RPP includes a new set of recommendations across all systems, including the coordination of a regional open space plan, developing a dynamic groundwater model, advancing actions that reduce risk in the coastal flood zone, supporting post-disaster planning, continuing to elevate under-represented histories, and fostering zoning changes to support greater housing opportunities throughout the region.

Comments on the draft RPP are being accepted through Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

Submit comments in writing by mail to the Cape Cod Commission, P.O. Box 226, 3225 Main St. Barnstable, MA 02630, or online using the form located at capecodcommission.org/comment.

Further details can be found by visiting www.capecodcommission.org/rpp-update.

Transit Needs Assessment

The Cape Cod Commission is conducting a transit needs assessment to better understand the challenges people face when using public transportation on Cape Cod. In partnership with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA), Commission staff are evaluating current conditions, collecting public input, and exploring ways to improve the transit system to ensure it is safe, accessible, and effective for everyone.

Let the Commission know what matters most to you when it comes to riding public transportation on Cape Cod’s roadways. Visit www.cccom.link/transit to learn more about the project, share your experiences traveling on Cape Cod through public transportation, and take the bus travel survey.

For more information, please contact Joyia Smikle.

Chatham Conservation Foundation in green lettering with a stylized cat-tail plant also in green on a cream background

Become a Mayo House Docent this Fall

Step back in time at the Mayo House, the oldest home in Chatham still standing on its original parcel. Built by Josiah Mayo in the 19th century, the house has witnessed generations of Chatham residents and holds stories of the Town’s early days, the lives of its families, and the evolution of the community over centuries.

As a docent, you will have the unique opportunity to bring these stories to life. Share the history of Josiah Mayo and his family, guide visitors through this historic home, and help people of all ages connect with Chatham’s rich past.

Volunteers are needed now through the end of the year. Commitment is just two hours a week or more if you would like. Time slots are available in the late afternoons, Monday through Thursday, and all day Friday and Saturday. Training is provided, so no experience is necessary—just a love of history and an interest in sharing Chatham’s story with others.

Join the Chatham Conservation Foundation and become part of the story of the Mayo House while helping visitors experience the past!

Please call 508-945-4084 for more information.

Next Select Board Meeting - September 30, 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#.

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!

Subscribe to The Mainsheet

Subscribe today to have the latest issue of The Mainsheet delivered directly to your inbox each week! Sign-up through Notify Me! by entering your email address and clicking on the envelope icon next to the "Government" subscription list.