Level 3 Critical Drought Status

Our region remains in a Level 3 Critical drought. Please continue to adhere to the water conservation measures adopted by the Select Board acting as Water & Sewer Commissioners on August 10th.

Please be vigilant this weekend and enjoy holiday cookouts and gatherings around fire pits safely and ensure that any outdoor fires are closely monitored or completely extinguished.

And remember, it is illegal for private citizens to use, possess, or sell fireworks in Massachusetts.

Tax Classification Hearing Tuesday

In accordance with the requirements of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 56, the Town of Chatham Select Board will hold a Fiscal Year 2023 Property Tax Classification Hearing.

Said hearing will be conducted on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 5:30pm at the Select Board’s Meeting, Large Meeting Room, 261 George Ryder Road. Please see the link in the posted agenda to participate remotely through Microsoft Teams or attend in person. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Channel 18.

The purpose of the public hearing is to consider the percentages of the FY2023 tax levy to be borne by each class of taxable real and personal property.

All persons interested in the determination may participate and be heard at the time and place stated above.

Three people with backs to camera at voting booths

Get Out the Vote!

The Massachusetts State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 6th. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Community Center, 702 Main Street.

Voters are reminded that if they are enrolled in a party they may take only that party's ballot. Unenrolled (aka unaffiliated) voters will have the option of taking a Democratic or Republican ballot, but it will not change their party affiliation.

Christine McCarthy standing at the Treasurer's counter

Meet Christine McCarthy

Christine McCarthy began working in the Treasurer/Collector's Office as our newest Collections Assistant in July.

Ms. McCarthy has been a resident of Harwichport since 2006 after being a long time visitor and summer resident on Cape Cod. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Master's in Urban Education . She previously taught th grade in Chelsea, MA and served as a long-term substitute at Chatham Middle School after moving to the area.

Stop by the Treasurer/Collector's Office next time you are down town and help us welcome Christine to the team!

Monomoy Regional School Committee Vacancy

Long-serving member Nancy Scott has resigned from her position on the Monomoy Regional School Committee leaving some big shoes to fill!

If you are interested in being considered for an interim appointment to the Regional School Committee, the Select Board has set an October 1, 2022 deadline to submit an application.

Candidates will be interviewed by the Select Board and remaining Chatham representatives to the School Committee in early October.

Stone and plaque from 9 11 memorial at Chatham Fire Station

Remembering September 11th

The Chatham Fire Rescue Department will be holding a ceremony to remember the events of September 11, 2001, and to honor the memory of all who lost their lives that day.

Local government officials will join the fire and police departments to look back on and reflect on the events of that day. The ceremony will take place on September 11, 2022, in front of the Chatham Fire Station on Depot Rd at 9:00 am. For further information contact Chatham Fire Chief DePasquale.

Cultural Council Grants Available

The mission of the Chatham Cultural Council is to promote a rich and diverse life by supporting programs, events, and performances which encourage critical thinking, creativity, and community building.

Applications for grant funding for arts, humanities, and interpretative science projects within our community are available online from September 1- October 17. An informational webinar is scheduled for September 13 at 6 p.m. (registration required) for applicants to learn about the Cultural Council funding and how to apply.

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grants Awarded

The Baker-Polito administration recently announced $32.8 million in grants to cities and towns through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, which will help communities identify climate hazards, develop strategies to improve resilience, and implement priority actions to adapt to climate change.

Chatham benefits from two of the MVP action grants awarded. The "Regional Low Lying Road Assessment and Feasibility Study" in conjunction with the Cape Cod Commission received $205,479 and the Pleasant Bay Alliance's "Climate Adaptation Action Plan" received $282,710.

All you wanted to know about Marijuana but were afraid to ask a program on Sept 13 at the Council on Aging

HOME Consortium Public Meeting Scheduled

The Barnstable County HOME Consortium will conduct a virtual public meeting on its draft 2021 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) on September 13th at 3 p.m. The CAPER is a year-end report that outlines the accomplishments and challenges of the Barnstable County HOME Program.

The draft CAPER is available for review online. Written comments may be submitted to the Barnstable County Department of Human Services, HOME Program, PO Box 427, Barnstable, MA 02630 or by email. Comments will be accepted through September 19th and will be summarized in the final CAPER.

Front loader at construction site with piles of sand

Sewer Construction Update

Looking ahead through mid-September work will continue on the Pump Station at the corner of Meetinghouse Road (Route 137) and Route 28.

Tree limbing is expected to begin on Morton Road and Mill Hill Road areas the week of September 12th. Also that week sewer work will begin on Morton Road and Twine Field Road.

Police details and signage will be in place to assist motorists in reaching their destination. Normal work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, weather permitting, unless otherwise noted.

Next Select Board Meeting - Sept. 6, 2022 @ 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
August 30, 2022

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Drinking Water Testing and Pumping Update & Consider Amendment(s) to Water Conservation Restrictions (Public Works Director Tom Temple)

IV. Public Hearings

1. Tax Rate Classification Hearing; Setting the Tax Rate

V. Public Comments on Business Agenda

VI. Business Agenda

1. Appointment to Barnstable County HOME Consortium (fill Vacancy of Aly Sabatino); Gloria McPherson, Chatham Housing and Sustainability Director

2. Donation Acceptance; Bench; Taylor’s Pond

3. Waterfront Bond Projects Update – Fish Pier Bulkhead Replacement Project + All Projects

4. Committee Appointment; Cultural Council

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!

Town of Chatham website www.chatham-ma.gov