Three small ghost figures in a flower box on brick steps

Be(a)ware of Trick or Treaters

Happy Halloween, Chatham!

The sunsets at 5:35 p.m. today! If you are out running amok, please be on the lookout for tiny ghouls and goblins when driving this evening, especially in popular trick or treating neighborhoods!

Enjoy Halloween safely!

Alarm clock and a smoke detector on a red background with text reading Change your clock, check your alarms

Daylight Savings Time Ends

When you “fall back” this Saturday, remember to check your smoke, fire, and Co2 alarms when you change your clocks. The manufacturing date is printed on the back. Replace alarms that are out of date and replace alkaline batteries in alarms that use them.

Choosing a new alarm? Select one from a well-known national brand with a sealed, long-life battery and a hush feature. Look for the mark of an independent testing lab like UL or Intertek/ETL.

Three stacks of coins with Scrabble tiles on each spelling "tax" next to a model house

Taxes Due November 3rd

Payments for the first installment of FY2026 Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills are due by 4 p.m. on November 3rd.

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

Online payments can be made through the Town of Chatham’s website at https://epay.cityhallsystems.com/selection

Please take note: the residential exemption is not in effect for the current tax season.

Town seal with a pine tree and a deciduous tree with leaves in the center.

Tree Warden Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that the Chatham Tree Warden will hold a public hearing, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road, in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 87 and the Town of Chatham tree protection by law to discuss the removal of three trees located at Kate Gould Park.

The trees in question include 1 Norway Maple (approx. 42”), 1 Linden (approx. 32”) and 1 Honey Locust (approx. 24”).

All interested parties are encouraged to participate.

Opioid Fund Listening Sessions will be held in November in each Loer Cape Town

Click above to access the survey!

Town Clerk Julie Smith swearing in Jackson Goddard.

Boat Operator/Marine Mechanic on Duty

Team Chatham is thrilled to welcome Jackson Goddard as a full-time, year-round employee in the Harbormaster’s Division of the Department of Natural Resources as our first Boat Operator/Marine Mechanic.

Jackson has served as a Seasonal Assistant Harbormaster for the Town since 2021. He has extensive experience as a marine mechanic, having worked as the Service Manager/Lead Diagnostic Technician at Nauset Marine from 2011 to 2025.

Jackson graduated from Cape Cod Regional Technical High School’s Marine Mechanics program and is in progress of obtaining an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Cape Cod Community College. He is a certified Mercury Marine Technician, a Yamaha Factory Trained Technician, is first aid/CPR certified and holds a Coast Guard Inland Limited Master Launch Tender License and a Massachusetts 1C Hoisting License.

Join us in welcoming Jackson!

Behavioral Health Clinician Available

Are you experiencing changes in your personal life that are overwhelming you? Have you been impacted by a recent tragedy? Are you dreading the return of winter, or facing your first holiday season in new circumstances?

It’s a challenging time for many in our community for a variety of reasons. If you need help managing stress, anxiety or depression, or coping with grief and loss, or if you want to build healthy habits, or enhance your social connections, Diane Nash, our Adult Behavioral Health Clinician is here to help!

Diane is available to meet with residents Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chatham Police Department, 249 George Ryder Road, or at the Center for Active Living, 193 Stony Hill Road by appointment. Contact Diane at dnash@chatham-ma.gov or 508-945-5107 to arrange a meeting time and location.

Cartoon image of a brown paper bag filled with groceries

Community Food Assistance Resources

Food insecurity is a fact on Cape Cod and in Chatham. Changes to SNAP benefits and the federal government shutdown are causing confusion and concern. The Cape Cod Cooperative Extension has compiled the facts on SNAP and helpful resources on their webpage.

The Lower Cape Outreach Council’s Chatham Pantry, located in St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 625 Main Street, is open for walk-ins on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. and Thursdays from 3-5 p.m.

Chatham’s Council on Aging participates in Healthy Meals in Motion, a mobile food pantry program providing healthy foods to area seniors. Grocery pick-ups are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Center for Active Living, 193 Stony Hill Road. For more information and to enroll, call Outreach Coordinator Kerri Kelly at 508-945-5190.

Every Wednesday from 3:30–5:30 p.m., Redemption Rock Church, 195 Meetinghouse Road, offers free to-go meals to anyone in our community. There’s no sign-up or registration, just drive up, and your meal will be brought right to your car.

The Center for Active Living is providing transportation to the Family Pantry on Tuesday, November 4. Call 508-945-5190 for information

Select Board seated at the dais in the large meeting room

Select Board Action – October 28th

The Select Board approved a petition from NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one new pole (41/30-5) on Training Field Road and to install 50’ +/- of 4” conduit under Training Field Road to service the new water treatment facility.

The Board approved the use of Town facilities, property and resources for First Night Chatham events on December 31, 2025.

The Board opened Bay Scallop season effective, Saturday November 1st.

The Board granted two Special One Day liquor licenses for the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance for their Meet the Fleet event on November 12th and Holiday Open House On December 9th. Both events will be at the Alliance’s headquarters at 1566 Main Street. The Board also granted a Special One liquor license and one day entertainment license to the Chatham Garden Club for its fundraiser on December 6th at 347 Stage Harbor Road.

Angela Bucar, representing the Chatham Chamber of Commerce’s Beautification Committee, presented the group’s proposal for improvements at Kate Gould Park. She reviewed the history of Kate Gould’s donation of the land to the Eldredge Public Library and the Town’s subsequent acquisition of the Park, and the original vision for the Park. She noted the traditions that have been established in the Park over the years.

She said the Beautification Committee has developed a concept ideas to restore elements of the Park and renew plantings and tree health, and ensuring compliant access. She reviewed the Committees concept ideas including removing the fence on Main Street, hardscaping one third of the Park, widening the pathway, and removing and trimming trees. She said the Committee intends to hold public forums to receive feedback from the community on the plans.

Designer Dave Hawk noted his work on the conceptual ideas and reviewed the plans for hardscaping and new plantings. Ms. Bucar noted the phased approach the Committee is proposing. Meredith Fry, Chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission, said the Commission endorses Phase 1 of the project to pursue funding through the Community Preservation Act to move the project forward, however she said the Commission reserves comment on the final design.

Select Board Member Metters emphasized that Phase 1 is centered on holding public forums and receiving input from the community on the conceptual plans. He questioned the removal of three trees that have been identified as hazards. Tree Warden Tom Barr said hearings will be held on the three trees on November 12th. He said other smaller trees in the rear of the property could be handled by Parks staff. Bartlett Tree discussed the condition and impact of the overall project to the three trees that are subject to the hearing.

After receiving public comments, the Board voted in favor of approving the Committee pursuing public input as Phase 1 of the project.

The Board granted a license to enter and use real town property to Boston Gas Company d/b/a National Grid to provide service to the Training Field Road water treatment facility after hearing from Public Works Director Rob Faley and Town Counsel Jay Talerman.

After discussion, the Board approved a draft letter of comment including suggested edits to the State on the Seasonal Communities Draft Regulations.

In the Board’s annual review of Boards, Commissions and Committees, it approved a decrease in membership on the Committee for People with Disabilities from 7 to 5 regular members.

The Board appointed Leo Eldredge to the Golf Advisory Committee until June 30, 2026.

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

Map of areas to be sewered under Phase 1F-1 of the Town's implementation plan

Sewer Phase 1F-1 Presentation

Thank you to all the community members who attended the presentation by Director of Public Rob Faley and Jeff Gregg of GHD on the implementation of Phase 1F-1 of the sewer construction project on Wednesday, October 29th, at the South Chatham Village Hall.

This information session focused on the upcoming work, Phase 1F-1, and what to expect during construction. This phase of the project will serve the neighborhoods along and off Cedar Street (between Battlefield Rd and Robinson Court) and neighborhoods off Route 28 (between Beacon Hill and George Ryder South).

Mooring Renewals Emailed Today

It’s that time of year again for renewing your 2026 Mooring and Wait List Permits. Permit renewals were sent out today via email from ChathamHM@chatham-ma.gov. Please check your email for your renewal instructions. If you do not see the email, check your spam/junk email folder. If you have any problems or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Harbormaster’s Department at 508-945-5185 or chathamhm@chatham-ma.gov.

Caregiving in a cloud on a blue sky background

Wellness Weekly

This week’s Wellness Weekly focuses on caregiving.

Caring for someone else can take a toll and lead to feelings of stress, anger, sadness, or worry. Ultimately, these feelings can turn into compassion fatigue and burnout.

To learn how to care for yourself as a caregiver visit https://lowercape.crediblemind.com/topics/caregiving for tips and resources. Lower Cape CredibleMind is a free, confidential, and science based mental health and wellbeing resource available to residents of Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro and Wellfleet.

Open Enrollment appointment information from the Center for Active Living. To be added to a waitlist for an appointment call 508-945-5190

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.

November 18

To consider a petition from NStar Electric d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 35 feet plus or minus 1 to 3 inches conduit from proposed handhole 30/HA2 to a customer installed handhole 30/HB2. This construction is necessary to provide new underground service to the customer located at 229 Scatteree Rd., Chatham.

To consider the transfer of the Annual All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant license from Skorpios Enterprises Inc. d/b/a Knot’s Landing Bar & Grill, Phillip Malitas, Manager to Uncle Tony’s, LLC d/b/a Knot’s Landing Bar & Grill, Sophia Malita, Manager, for the business located at 1077 Main Street, Chatham.

November 25

To consider an application for a new Seasonal All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant license for Diana’s Kitchen & Bar LLC d/b/a Diana’s Kitchen & Bar, 643 Main Street, Jodi-Ann Kaye Grant, Manager.

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

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

Sewer/Road Construction Update

Work for the week of November 3rd – November 7th:

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

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

Tuesday, November 4th – localized sewer work is planned on Lime Hill Road. Police detail(s) and signage will be in place in the vicinity of the work.

Sewer testing is planned in the Pond View neighborhood and on Smith and Ellis Streets. Police detail(s) and signage will be in place in the vicinity of the work.

Electrical work is tentatively scheduled to continue at the Pond View West and Independence Lane pump station sites.

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Extension Project

Site work is planned at the pumping station (Old Mill Boat Yard / Harbormasters Garage).

Route 6 Detours Nov. 3rd-6th, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced it will be replacing missing and damaged median delineators along the section of Route 6 between exits 78 A&B (Route 134 interchange) and the Orleans Rotary beginning Monday, November 3rd through Thursday, November 6th from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

This work will result in the temporary closure of Route 6 with detouring in place. Drivers who are traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speeds, and use caution. Emergency vehicles will have access to Rout 6, as needed.

All scheduled work is weather dependent.

AI Note Taker Alert

Some committee members and members of the public may have unknowingly signed up for third-party AI note-taking services such as Read.ai and Otter.ai. These tools automatically join meetings, record meetings, and send unsolicited or SPAM emails out with transcripts to attendees. The Town of Chatham does not email meeting transcripts or summaries, nor does it authorize any external service to do so.

When you connect these services, especially using “Sign in with Microsoft” or “Sign in with Google”, you may be granting them:

Access to your calendar events and meeting links
The ability to record, store, or analyze meeting content
Access to personal data

Please use caution when signing up for any third-party applications and review what data and permissions you are granting.

If you use an AI bot or other application to take notes, transcribe, and create summaries of a public meeting:

You are recording that meeting.
You are required to disclose it at the start of the meeting when the Chair asks if anyone is recording.

This ensures compliance with the Open Meeting Law and respects the privacy of all participants.

Blue radio tower emitting signals being received by a boat all in a blue circle

Chatham Marconi Speaker Series

Author, scientist, and retired internet entrepreneur Dennis Waters will tell the story of AT&T’s New Jersey “Pole Farm” and short-wave radiotelephony at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 6th, presented online via Zoom.

Today, we take international calling for granted. In the early 1900s, though, American could place telephone calls to almost all of North America but not overseas. To resolve this, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) purchased more than 800 acres of farmland in central New Jersey and built what became the world’s largest radiotelephone shortwave transmitting station, called the “Pole Farm” for the thousands of tall antenna poles installed at the site. At its peak in the early 1960s it delivered millions of telephone calls to Europe, Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

Registration is required and available at www.chathammarconi.org/speakerseries. It is free for members, and general admission is $10 per computer registered for the Zoom link.

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.