Two men in Police uniforms standing next to a firefighter and a woman in a blue suit

Two men in blue polo shirts and khaki pants wearing ball caps one holding a certificate

Three police officers holding certificates the last in line shaking hands with another officer

Public Safety Life Saving Awards

On Thursday, November 13th the Fire Department hosted a departmental awards ceremony to recognize public safety staff who recently provided heroic lifesaving actions to members of our community.

Deputy Harbormaster Marshall Burke was honored for his actions in responding to a recent motor vehicle (motorcycle) crash.

Sergeant Christopher Vardakis (not pictured), Sergeant Elizabeth Thompson, Officer Richard Spaulding, Officer Joe Pagliaro of the Police Department were honored for their response to a medical emergency in the Police Station’s parking lot on August 20, 2025.

Veterans Honored

Chatham’s Veterans Day ceremony conducted at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month honored all who have served our country in the armed forces.

The 80th anniversary of the end of World War II was commemorated under the theme “Eternal Legacy: Honoring the Greatest Generation and Inspiring the Next.”

Our guest speaker, Captain Richard J. Schultz, US Coast Guard (Ret.), spoke of his service in the Coast Guard and his leadership of the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at Barnstable High School—one of only 14 such programs nationwide. Captain Schultz was joined by 10 cadets enrolled in the four-year maritime science curriculum which focuses on citizenship, leadership, and personal responsibility, preparing students to become disciplined, service-minded leaders.

The ceremony also marked a changing of the guard on the Town’s Public Ceremonies Committee with Brian Miner taking the helm from long serving Committee Chair Rob Franz and “officially” bringing Ted Miller on board.

Join us in thanking members of our Police & Fire Departments, elected officials, members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and our local Scouts for also participating.

Your Opinion Matters in a speech bubble with a megaphone next to it

Opioid Funds Listening Session

Make your voice heard on the best use of Opioid Settlement funds by attending a listening session on Wednesday, November 19th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 702 Main Street.

The towns of Chatham, Brewster, Dennis, Orleans and Harwich are working together to solicit feedback from residents to help make spending decisions. The meeting may be attended in person or virtually via Zoom.

If you are unable to participate but would like to provide input, please take a few moments to answer a brief survey on the use of settlement funds

RFP for Home Ownership Housing Issued

Stepping Stones Road

The Town of Chatham, acting through the Town Manager, invites proposals from qualified parties interested in developing affordable and attainable home ownership housing at 0 Stepping Stones Road (Assessor’s ID 12G-0-11), Chatham, MA.

Copies of the Request for Proposal (RFP) may be obtained from the Town of Chatham, Office of the Town Manager, via email request to snealy@chatham-ma.gov until the scheduled proposal submission date.

All proposals must comply in all respects with the instructions, conditions, specifications, and other requirements in the RFP. Proposals must be in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations of the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Town of Chatham.

All proposals must be received by the Town Manager’s office, 549 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633 by 2:00 PM on Thursday January 8, 2026. Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Stepping Stones Road Affordable and Attainable Housing Proposal.”

The Town Manager reserves the right to accept and/or reject any and all submissions, to waive minor informalities or irregularities in any submission and procurement procedures to the extent allowed by law, and to make an award in any manner consistent with the law, if it is in the best interest of the Town.

18th Annual Holiday Shopping Fair at the Community Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday November 22nd

FY2026 Boat Excise Bills

FY2026 Boat Excise bills were mailed out on November 10th with a due date of January 9, 2026.

This year the Assessing Department will be conducting a full review of those claiming status as a full-time commercial fisherman, which occurs every five years.

Documentation will need to be submitted to the Assessors’ office in person, by mail, or by email to prove full-time commercial fisherman status to receive an exemption on boat excise taxes, including the following:

Copy of current Commercial Fishing License/Permit for each boat owned;
Redacted copy of 2024 Federal Tax Form 1040 showing occupation as a commercial fisherman (if a shell fisherman, provide an affidavit in lieu of Form 1040);
Articles of Organization, if incorporated;
Massachusetts Form 2BE-1 completed for each boat owned.

Please direct any question to the Assessing Department at 508-945-5103.

Front door of a shingled home with a light post and plantings

558 Crowell Road for Sale by Lottery

Applications are still being accepted by the Housing Assistance Corp. (HAC) for the sale by lottery of a three-bedroom two-bath home at 558 Crowell Road, Chatham for $385,000. Applications to enter the lottery can be requested by emailing lotteries@haconcapecod.org. The house will be permanently deed restricted at 100% Area Median Income (AMI).

Applications are due to HAC by 5 p.m. on Monday, December 15th.

For further information, including income and asset limits, visit the property’s page on the HAC website.

Social Anxiety in a white cloud in a blue sky

Wellness Weekly

This week’s Wellness Weekly is focusing on social anxiety.

Social anxiety impacts all of us in different ways. Sometimes social anxiety looks like feeling shy or uncomfortable in a group. Other times it can feel more intense and make it hard to go outside. Does social anxiety impact your life? Take an assessment at https://lowercape.crediblemind.com/topics/social-anxiety.

Credible Mind is a free, confidential mental health and wellbeing resource for community members of the Lower and Outer Cape.

Gold codfish in a blue circle with Barnstable County Massachusetts around it

Thanksgiving Meals and Food Resources

Thanksgiving is a time when many local groups come together to support residents in need. Please share this information with anyone who may benefit. Need help finding food any time of year?

Visit Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Food Finder

You’ll find:

The Food Resource Guide with pantries, meal sites & community fridges
Transportation help to get to and from food sites
SNAP & HIP explainers so you can make the most of your benefits
Thanksgiving Resources: A list of local holiday food distributions and meals is available here: https://loom.ly/XPF69TU

*Details are subject to change and may vary by organization; please contact each provider directly to confirm availability, registration requirements, and pickup/meal times.

Family Table Collaborative Thanksgiving meal offerings

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 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 Construction Update

November 17th – November 21st

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

Final pavement restoration is planned on roads where sewer and utility work is complete. Work will begin in the Wood Carver Knoll area, followed by Pond View Lane, Pond View Avenue, Kelley Lane, Smith Street, and Ellis Street. Police details and signage will be in place to assist residents; access may be limited at times.

Site work is tentatively planned at the Oyster Pond Condominiums (OPC), Pond View West, and Independence Lane pump station sites.

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Extension Project

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

4th Annual Chowder Fest Tomorrow

The Rotary Club of Chatham will hist its 4th Annual Chatham Chowder fest Challenge at the Brown James Buck VFW Post, 150 George Ryder Road, tomorrow, Saturday, November 15th from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Sampling the area restaurants' best chowder recipes and help choose the best while raising money for the community.

Tickets are $15 at the door ($5 for children under 12).

Dragonflies and Damselflies at the EPL

Join the Eldredge Public Library as it welcomes back renowned Field Naturalist and educator, Peter Trull, for a science meets whimsy exploration of dragonflies and damselflies on Friday, November 21st at 1 p.m. Peter will share his photography and research of these magnificent creatures. And, check out Peter's photograph gallery of dragonflies and damselflies, located in Forgeron Hall, through November!

Peter Trull has been involved in Research and Education on Cape Cod for about 40 years. He coordinated seabird protection and research for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He conducted field research in Guyana and Surinam, studying the market trapping of Common Terns and Roseate Terns, working and living with local bird trappers in several coastal villages where he hesitatingly admits he’s eaten Common Terns and 15 to 20 species of sandpipers and plovers.

Little Women at the Chatham Drama Guild

The Chatham Dram Guild is presenting Little Women from November 20th – December 5th.

Directed by Pam Banas, the story takes place at Christmastime and follows the lives of the four March sisters: Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy. Set in the nineteenth century United States, the sisters navigate challenges, societal expectations, and their own dreams and aspirations. Amidst wartime struggles, they find strength in each other and their mother, Marmee. The story is based on Louisa May Alcott's life and explores themes of family, love and personal growth.

Performances are held on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available online through the Drama Guild’s website.

Next Select Board Meeting - November 18, 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. November 4, 2025

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Public Hearings

a. Consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 35 feet plus or minus of 1 to 3 inches conduit and one new handhole 30/HA2 at 229 Scatteree Road, Chatham

b. Consider an application to 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

IV. Consent Agenda

V. Chatham Wells, PFAS, and Drinking Water Testing and Pumping Update – October 2025

VI. Public Comments on Business Agenda

VII. Business Agenda

a. Consider Requests to Extend Seasonal Liquor Licenses

b. Consider Special One-Day Licenses for Holiday Stroll

i. Michael’s Custom Jewelry December 12, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at 579 Main St., Chatham

ii. The Black Dog General Store December 12, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and December 31, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at 628 Main St., Chatham

iii. The Yellow Umbrella December 12, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at 501 Main St., Chatham

iv. Mahi Gold December 12 from 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm and December 13, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm at 465 Main St., Chatham

v. Sundance Clothing December 12, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at 497 Main St., Chatham

vi. Squire Shop December 12, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am and December 31, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am at 465 Main St., Chatham

c. Discussion of Town Counsel Review of Legal Letters on 127 Old Harbor Road and Vote on Whether to Proceed with Design Guidelines (Continued from 10/7/25)

d. Discussion on Use of Consent Agenda for Licenses, Permits, and Utility Petitions (SS 7/22/25)

e. Discussion on Landscaping and Signage at Pumping Stations (SD 11/19/24, 7/8/25)

f. Consider Recommendation of Golf Advisory Committee to Increase to Golf Rates – A. Howell

g. Consider Recommendation of the Parks & Recreation Commission to Grandfather Certain Businesses under the Facility Use Policy – A. Howell

h. Consider/Approve Select Board Goals and Objectives

i. Consider Committee Appointments

i. Open Space Appointment

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

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