Dr. Robert Duncanson standing at a podium smiling

A Passing - Dr. Robert Duncanson

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that former Director of Natural Resources Dr. Robert Duncanson passed away on Monday, December 15th.

Dr. Bob, as he was affectionately known, served our community for 37 years before retiring in August 2023. During his tenure he oversaw the management and implementation of Chatham's Comprehensive Wastewater Management Program, represented the community's interests in numerous regional capacities, led the Town's efforts to protect and preserve our natural resources, and calmly guided our community through the COVID-19 pandemic.

No words can describe the loss of his institutional knowledge to not only Chatham but to our municipal, County, and non-profit partners. His legacy is one of dedicated service and professionalism exemplified by the Athenian Oath “Thus in all these ways, we will transmit this City not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.”

He will be fondly remembered for his consistent claims that everything was “just peachy” no matter the circumstance, for introducing “and whatnot” into Team Chatham’s vernacular to mean just about anything (and everything else), for his travel adventures, for his ability to pull a 13 year-old report out of a pile of papers without looking, and, of course, for his love of all things Disney.

To Dr. Bob’s family, friends and colleagues, we send our deepest sympathies, offer our steadfast support, and share in your grief at this most difficult time.

Annual Town Meeting & Town Election Dates Set

2026 Annual Town Meeting is scheduled on Monday, May 11, 2026 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Monomoy Middle School Gymnasium, 425 Crowell Road.

Childcare will be available for ages 3 & up by reservation through the Recreation and Beaches Division of the Department of Community Services. Limited transportation will be available by reservation through the Center for Active Living. More information will be available on these offerings in March.

The Annual Town Election is scheduled on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Chatham Community Center, 702 Main Street. Polls will be open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Candace Cook seated at a desk in front of a window smiling at the camera

New Assessing Director Named

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith has promoted Team Chatham’s own Candace Cook as Chatham’s newest Assessing Director, reporting to Director of Finance, Carrie Mazerolle. Candace began her new position on Monday, December 15th.

Candace has worked for the Town since 2006 as the Assessing Clerk. She was promoted to Assistant Assessor in 2015. Throughout her tenure, she has gained extensive knowledge regarding property tax laws, appraisal methodologies, and the operational management of the assessing office. Additionally, as Assistant Assessor, she supervised the Assessing Assistant/Field Technician, offering insight, training, and guidance to ensure high performance and continued growth.

Candace earned her Massachusetts Accredited Assessor (MAA) with the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO) designation in 2016 which is reaffirmed every two years by attending conferences and professional development webinars.

Please join us in congratulating Candace on her promotional appointment!

Odaine Powell wearing high visibility gear smiling at the camera

Welcome Aboard!

Join us in welcoming Odaine Powell to the Highway Division of the Department of Public Works. He began his employment on Monday, December 15th.

Mr. Powell most recently worked as a Maintenance Technician at Broad Reach Healthcare. Prior to that, he worked for TruGreen Lawn Care and Buckler’s Towing Service. He is an active member of the US Army National Guard where he works as a Heavy Equipment Operator during his active tours.

Welcome to Team Chatham!

Dark blue pick-up truck parked on a bulkhead beside water between concrete barriers

Barn Hill Landing Update

Limited repairs have been made to the bulkhead at the Barn Hill Road Town landing. These repairs allow increased vehicular access on the bulkhead. All access will be restored when the full bulkhead is replaced, the design process for which is underway.

Holiday Closures

Chatham Town Offices, Community Center, Center for Active Living, and the Transfer Station will close at 12noon on Wednesday, December 24th. All will remain closed on Thursday, December 25th and Friday, December 26th.

Town Offices, the Community Center, the Center for Active Living, and the Transfer Station will close at 12noon on Wednesday, December 31st and remain closed on Thursday, January 1st.

All will re-open for regular operating hours on Friday, January 2nd.

Preschool Basketball program through Recreation and Beaches call 508-945-5158 for information.

Select Board seated at the dais in a meeting room.

Select Board Action - December 16th

The Select Board granted an annual entertainment license for live indoor amplified music to Branches Grill and Café, 155 Crowell Road.

The Select Board heard an appeal of the Historic Business District Commission’s (HBDC) decision to deny the demolition of certain buildings at 776 Main Street (Monomoy Theater property) as applied for by Chatham Productions LLC. The HBDC’s reasons for denying the application included the historical significance of the property to the Town.

The appellant noted that whether the structure is approved for demolition or not it will not be used as a theater. She said the former Monomoy Theater building had not been deemed historical by the State. The appellant noted the work required to restore the building as advised by a structural engineer when the property was purchased.

It was confirmed that the HBDC’s jurisdiction only applies to the exterior of the building, not the interior. The security and vandalism of the building was discussed from a public safety perspective.

Acting Chair of the HBDC, Darci Sequin, provided the Commission’s reasoning for denying the demolition application which included the lack of information provided by the appellant to support the demolition of the building. She said the HBDC does not consider the financial viability of a project in their deliberations.

Frank Messina, Chair of the Historical Commission, spoke to the Commission’s determination that the building meets the requirements to be on the National Register of Historic Places. He said listing on the National Register was not required for a building to be historically significant to Chatham.

Several residents spoke against the demolition of the building.

Town Counsel Jay Talerman said the Town cannot compel a property owner to restore a property but would have limited authority to require the owner to secure a nuisance property or require the demolition of a structure that is a public safety hazard. He said the Town would not be libel if the HBDC’s denial was upheld and someone was injured as a result of the building remaining in place but in disrepair.

After deliberation the Board voted 5-0 to uphold the HBDC’s denial of the application to demolish the building.

With the approval of a consent agenda, the Select Board approved the Sale of Goods on Town Property for the Chatham Garden Club’s annual plant sale at the Community Center, 702 Main Street on June 6, 2026 and the renewal of Select Board issued licenses including Common Victualler; Entertainment, Automatic Amusement & Movie Theater; Automotive Class I, II, III; and Innkeepers & Lodging Houses for 2026. The Common Victualler licenses for Chatham Penny Candy and Sweet Dreams Ice Cream and Candy were considered separately to allow Select Board member Cory Metters to recuse himself from the vote.

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Chair Randi Potash reported on the ZBA’s actions on approving a comprehensive permit to Pennrose for the development of affordable housing at 0/1533 Main Street.

Jeff Gregg, GHD Inc. provided an update to the Board on Watershed Permit Planning and Sewer Expansion

After hearing a recommendation from Town staff, Parks & Recreation Commission Chair and members of the public the Board voted to amend the Town’s Facility Use Fees for private businesses operating on Town property at the Community Center, Beaches and Parks from 20% of fees collected to 12% with a review in two years.

As per General Bylaw Section 60-2 the Select Board voted to set the date of 2026 Annual Town Meeting as Monday, May 11, 2026 beginning at 6 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Monomoy Regional Middle School.

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

A listing of open positions with the Town of Chatham

Winter Weather Preparedness

Last weekend’s snow fall serves as a good reminder that, despite recent mild winters, Chatham is still vulnerable to winter storms. Don’t wait until the next winter weather forecast; take steps now to prepare for our next round of snow and ice.

Ensure your vehicle is ready for safe winter driving. While it is better to avoid traveling until a storm passes roads are cleared, if you will likely have to venture out keep your gas tank at least half-full, have a winter emergency car kit, and make sure all parts of your vehicle – tires, wipers, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid - are ready for winter.

Build a household emergency kit that contains items to sustain you and your family’s specific needs if you are not able to leave your home – water, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food (don’t forget your pets!) are a few basics.

Ensure your home is ready for winter. Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working and remove dead or rotting trees/branches that could fall and cause injury or damage. Turn off water supply to outside spigots and unheated areas to avoid frozen/burst pipes.

Prepare for power outages. Invest in an auxiliary power bank for your cell phone/devices and keep it charged.

Be a good neighbor. Check in with anyone that may need assistance in making their preparations for winter weather.

Stay Informed!

Now is the perfect time to sign up to receive emergency notifications from the Town. Smart911 is a high speed notification system designed to make calls, emails, and SMS text notifications to specific people or areas in the event of an emergency.

These messages may include information on floods, fires, water emergencies, road closures, missing persons, evacuation orders, weather and other emergencies.

If you have already signed up it is important that you occasionally verify your contact information. Accurate email addresses, landline, and mobile numbers help to ensure, but cannot guarantee, that emergency information will be passed on to everyone in a timely manner.

Residents can add additional telephone numbers including a cell phone. The address documented must be in Chatham, but the phone number can be from anywhere. Emergency messages can reach TTY (teletypewriter) phones sued by the hearing impaired. Please sign up using this link.

Updated Do Not Plow List

The Department of Public Works continues to update the 2025-2026 Do Not Plow List removing private streets on which sub-standard conditions have been addressed, have been re-inspected, and now meet the minimum standards to receive municipal snow removal and sanding services.

If your private road was not treated during last weekend’s snow, there is still time to make repairs/address deficiencies and request a re-inspection by the Highway Division to receive services this winter.

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.

December 23

To consider the taking, pursuant to G.L. c. 79, of: permanent easements on private roads for the installation and maintenance of sewer mains and, as necessary, of remedial takings of previous easements, all regarding water and drainage for Sewer Phase 1F-1 which involves private roadways (Lorenzo Buck Way, Joshua’s Way, Rumson Lane, Harold Lane, Stephen Drive, Victoria Drive, Nellie’s Way, Woodpecker Valley Road, Beacon Hill, Songbird Lane, Crosby Way, Aunt Zilpa’s Road Ext., Evergreen Lane, Island View Lane, Jedidiah Way, and Shady Acre Drive).

January 6

To consider amendments (Change of Manager and Change of Stock Interest) to the Annual All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store license for New Chatham Corp d/b/a Chatham Liquor Store for the business located at 756 Main Street, Chatham.

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

Wellness Weekly

The excitement of the holidays can sometimes be overshadowed by worry, pressure, or the feeling of needing everything to be perfect. Managing anxiety during this season starts with slowing down, setting realistic expectations, and giving yourself space to breathe.

This week let’s explore mindful ways to ease holiday stress and embrace calm, joy, and presence with the people who matter most.

Credible Mind is a free, confidential online resource available to the residents of Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, and Wellfleet.

Friends of Chatham Waterways thank you letter

Model of a red pick-up truck with a miniature Christmas Tree in the bed

Troop 71 Christmas Tree Pick-up

Sign-up today to have the Boy Scouts of Chatham Troop 71 pick-up and dispose of your undecorated Christmas tree Saturday, January 3rd - Sunday, January 4th or Saturday January 10th – Sunday, January 11th. 100% of the donations ($20 suggested per tree) collected through this fundraiser will benefit the Chatham Angel Fund and the Family Pantry of Cape Cod.

The last day to sign-up for either weekend collection is December 31st and you can do so online at http://www.tinyurl.com/boyscouttreepickup, via email to chathamscouting@gmail.com, or by calling either 508-945-0764 or 978-505-5379. Trees should be placed curbside by 8 a.m. on Saturday for the Scouts to collect during the weekend.

First Night Chatham 2025-2026 button featuring fireworks on a black background and join the Fun in white script

First Night Quickly Approaching

The countdown is on to First Night Chatham’s 35th New Year’s Eve celebration.

Buttons required for admission to almost all indoor performances and activities are now on sale. Buttons are available for purchase online through First Night Chatham’s website. First Adult (17+) buttons are $30, Children’s (3-16 years) are $5. No admission for infants 2 years or younger. A small handling charge is added to all online button orders. Online orders are now only available for pick-up at First Night Headquarters.

Buttons may also be purchased by cash or check at the following locations:

Cape Cod Five (Chatham Branch), 548 Main Street, Chatham

Chatham Clothing Bar, 534 Main Street, Chatham

Chatham Orpheum Theater, 637 Main Street, Chatham

Chatham Paint & Hardware, 624 Main Street, Chatham

Harwich Paint & Decorating, 181 Rte. 137, East Harwich

North Chatham Outfitters, 300 Orleans Road, North Chatham

Puritan Cape Cod (Chatham Branch), 573 Main Street, Chatham

Shop Ahoy Liquors, 1589 Main Street, West Chatham

Snow’s Home & Garden, 22 Main Street, Orleans

First Night Headquarters will be open at 584 Main Street between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

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.