Winter Storm Preparations

With another winter storm heading our way on Sunday, take a few moments to update your preparations.

Act now to arranging snow or ice‑clearing services in advance. Take essential actions like hitting the ATM, gassing up your vehicle, or picking up supplies a few days in advance to avoid the last-minute rush. Check in with your neighbors.

Keep your devices charged. Check batteries in flashlights and portable radios. Ensure carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are working. 

With coastal flooding possible with this event, consider relocating if you live in a flood-prone area as access routes to and from your property may become impassable.

During the storm, please stay off roads to allow our Public Works crews to keep them clear for public safety responses. Never drive through flood waters. Flood waters can disguise hidden hazards. If you encounter flooded roads, turn around and find a safer route. It's better to be delayed than risk your safety or that or our first responders who would be called on to rescue you.

Close off unused rooms in your home and turn up the heat to help maintain indoor temperatures if the power goes out.

Reliable information is essential during fast‑changing winter weather.

• Add the National Weather Service or local radio station to your list of trusted resources for up‑to‑date forecasts, alerts, and safety guidance.
• Bookmark the Town’s website in your browser for the latest information on Town office closings and meeting cancellations
• Follow the Town of Chatham, Chatham Police Department and Chatham Fire Department social media accounts for vital information on road conditions, safety information, and guidance on the opening/closing of personal care sites or shelters.

Select Board Action – January 27

Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Management Justin Tavano and Deputy Director of Emergency Management Mark Heller provided the Board a summary of the Town’s preparation and response to Winter Storm Fern.

The Select Board opened its meeting by approving a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 40 feet plus or minus 1 to 3 inches conduit and one new handhole 122/HA9 at 159 Seapine Road.

The Board approved nine Special One-Day Alcohol Licenses for various dates in 2026 for artist receptions at the Creative Arts Center and granted approvals for annual events hosted by the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchant’s Association Events for 2026.

The Independence Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. rather than 9:30 a.m. this year. After hearing from Chief Mike Anderson and Steve DeBoer, Chair of the Independence Day Parade Committee, regarding public safety concerns about the conduct of the parade, the Board endorsed a new route that turns north at the Main Street rotary onto Old Harbor Road and continues to Barcliff Avenue rather than continuing along Main Street and turning north onto Crowell Road.

The Board also endorsed the Committee's recommendation to prohibit all parking within the parade route. This change will improve safety as vehicle traffic will no longer conflict with foot traffic at the conclusion of the parade, and it will also increase viewing areas downtown along the north side of Main Street.

Director of Finance Carrie Mazerolle and Greg Berman, Director of Natural Resources, reviewed the FY2027 Budget for the Department of Natural Resources. The annual capital article for dredging was reviewed. Capital Bond Project Articles for bulkhead replacement at Barn Hill landing and bulkhead and ramp replacement at Ryder’s Cove landing were discussed. The Board voted to place the three articles on the Town Meeting warrant and to place debt exclusion questions on the two bulkhead replacement projects on the Annual Town Ellection ballot.

DeeDee Holt, Friend of Trees, raised questions about the process and monitoring of the removal of trees at the Chatham Municipal Airport and the Airport Commission’s mitigation plan. Dr. Mike Tompsett questioned the intent of the tree removal and trimming project, suggesting that it was a first step in an airport expansion rather than to maintain the current approaches.

Airport Commission Chair Huntley Harrison said trees had grown into the current airport approaches and needed to be removed or trimmed to maintain safety. He responded to Ms. Holt’s questions citing the project’s scope of work, order of conditions, and contract specifications. Matt Caron, Gale Associates, confirmed the project was to maintain existing approaches. He noted the permitting process through the Cape Cod Commission, Conservation Commission and MA Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA). The Airport’s Vegetation Management Plan was reviewed and the Airport’s legal obligation to comply with Federal Aviation Administration and MA Department of Transportation regulations was discussed. The Board heard from members of the public who support and oppose the project. The Board took no action on the project.

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

Wellness Weekly

Welcome to Wellness Weekly, our series highlighting resources that support your mental well-being. This week, we’re focusing on housing transitions.

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer moving to your dream home, downsizing from a family home, or transitioning to an independent or assisted living facility, moving can be a stressful experience. Things like packing, planning, storage, and transportation all add to the stress and moving can trigger a lot of emotions.

Change and uncertainty, leaving behind friends and loved ones, or having to adjust to new schools or jobs can all impact your mental wellbeing. Find resources to mitigate those impacts at https://lowercape.crediblemind.com/topics/housing-transitions .

First-Time Home Buyers Course

The Housing Assistance Corp. (HAC) is holding a First-Time Homebuyer Course over three evenings (Tuesday, February 3rd; Thursday, February 5th; and Tuesday, February 10th) from 5:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. via Zoom

The First Time Home Buyer course consists of 8 hours of education providing first time home buyers an overview of the home buying process from home search to closing.

Panelists include: a local lender, attorney, REALTOR®, home inspector, insurance agent, and a representative from MassHousing. The class presentations detail the important aspects of each phase of the home purchase process and provide a comfortable atmosphere to learn about the process and ask questions from knowledgeable professionals.

Upon completion of the course, the participant is issued a Certificate of Completion which is valid for two years throughout Massachusetts and is required for many first-time home buyer loan products such as MassHousing. The Certificate issued also meets HUD’s group education requirements.

Registration is required. Fee is $50 for an individual and $75 for a joint application. Course materials will be provided.

Proposed Revision to Roadway Functional Classification

During a meeting held on January 26, 2026, the Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) announced a public review and comment period on proposed changes to roadway functional classification and freight corridor designations for a series of roadways on Cape Cod.

The roadway functional classification updates include roads in Barnstable, Bourne, Chatham, Dennis, Falmouth, Harwich, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, and Wellfleet. “Roadway functional classification” is the categorization system for streets and highways based on the role and type of service they provide within the transportation network, ranging from major roadways like Route 6 to local neighborhood streets. Keeping classifications up to date helps to ensure that federal funds can be effectively targeted to support safe and efficient travel.

The classification of George Ryder Road is proposed to change from “Local” to “Major Collector,” which are roads that provide a bridge between arterial roads and local roads.

Proposed freight corridor updates include adding Scenic Highway and Sandwich Road, both located in Bourne, and modifying the freight corridor on Route 6 in Truro to match updates to the urban area boundaries.  These designations would be incorporated into the statewide Freight Plan, which is currently under development, and would allow these corridors to be eligible for National Highway Freight Program funds. These designations would not impact regulations related to truck traffic on these or any other roadways in the region.

Public comments will be accepted through February 16, 2026. A virtual public meeting of the Cape Cod MPO is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM to hear additional public comments and vote on potential endorsement of these designations. More information on this meeting can be found at www.capecodcommission.org/mpo or by calling 508-362-3828.  

Please submit comments via mail to Cape Cod Commission Transportation Program, Steven Tupper, Deputy Director, 3225 Main Street (Route 6A), PO Box 226, Barnstable MA 02630-0226 or e-mail: transportation@capecodcommission.org .

More information on the proposed changes may be found at www.capecodcommission.org/mpo .