Prescribed Burn on South Monomoy

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will conduct prescribed burns at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in late winter and early spring 2026 to restore critical nesting habitat. Established in 1944 as a sanctuary for migratory birds, Monomoy supports one of the world’s largest common tern colonies and a rare northeastern nesting site for the federally listed roseate tern. Overgrown dunes, invasive plants, and thatch have choked open sandy areas essential for nesting, causing overcrowding, higher predation risk, and increased competitor species.

Prescribed fire is a management tool included in the Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan. USFWS expects to burn 90 acres on the north end of South Monomoy Island with the goal of increasing high quality habitat for common and roseate terns by decreasing the amount of thick beach grass, thatch, and woody vegetation, including non-native invasive species.

The actual dates for the prescribed burns will depend on favorable weather conditions, including relative humidity, fuel moisture, and wind speed and direction to achieve the desired objectives and for the smoke to rise and disperse. Each prescribed burn is expected to be completed within one day with active burning over several hours. Smoke may be visible from a distance. To ensure public safety, access to all of South Monomoy Island (including the lighthouse) will be temporarily closed while prescribed burning is in progress.

Local emergency personnel, including the Chatham Police and Fire Departments will be notified prior to the prescribed burn. Visitors and residents are reminded that smoke may be visible after the burn is completed, but USFWS personnel will monitor and patrol the area until the prescribe burns are declared out. Assistance may be provided by firefighters from other USFWS units, the National Park Service, and/or the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The refuge has safely conducted prescribed burns at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2019.

Select Board Action – January 13th

Director of Public Works Rob Faley provided an update on the Town’s drinking water system for December 2025. He said wells are pumping 3-5 hours per day. He provided an update on the construction of the water treatment plant for Well 5 & 8. He said since enforcement began 475 irrigation meters have been purchased and 417 have been installed. He said 6 property owners have not responded in any way to violation notices and the Town will have to pursue the next level of enforcement with the courts. He reviewed the monthly water usage report for December 2025. He said the ground water recharge is not rebounding as it had been hoped. He said the Cape remains at a Level 2-Significant Drought status.

Director of Public Works Rob Faley updated the Board on the progress on sewer connection efforts. He reviewed the number of sewer connections in Town. He noted that the Board of Health is the enforcing agency for hook-up orders. It was suggested that the Board, as Water & Sewer Commissioners, should have a role in compelling property owners to connect to the sewer system. The financial cost to property owners to do so and assistance resources available were noted.

Greg Berman, Director of Natural Resources, reviewed the history of the project to install a walkway along the South Jog at the fish pier to separate pedestrians from commercial areas of the facility and vehicular traffic. Jason Holm, Harbormaster, expressed his support for the project to improve safety at the facility. Director said the lowest bid was received from ACK and noted the firms work on the Trap Dock project. He said the proposed funding source is the 2017 Waterfront Bond. He noted grants received for the 90 Bridge Street project have freed funds from the 2017 Waterfront Bond. The Board authorized the Town Manager to execute the contract for the project utilizing 2017 Waterfront Bond funds.

Carrie Mazerolle, Director of Finance, discussed the fiscal impact of implementing a residential tax exemption in FY2027 related to staffing and the Town’s overlay account. She explained what the overlay account is, which covers exemptions and abatement granted to qualified property owners for various reasons. She noted the average amounts granted in exemptions annually and other uses for those funds. She explained that approving the residential exemption would require additional funding for the overlay account and reviewed the amounts needed at different residential tax exemption percentage amounts. Assessing Director Candace Cook explained the application process for the residential tax exemption, including the requirement that ownership (including Trusts) and residency be established on January 1st of the eligibility year, and the document verifications needed that would require an additional temporary part-time staff member. It was noted that the status of properties held in trusts would need to qualify as of January 1, 2026. After hearing from members of the public, the Board voted 3-2 to move forward with a 20% residential tax exemption for FY2027 with funding from the overlay and free cash accounts and asked staff to return with more information on the properties held in Trust in Town.

The Select Board appointed to the Board of Health Joanna Kale and Ron Weishaar as full members of the Board of Health until June 30, 2027 and June 30, 2028 respectively.

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

Wellness Weekly

Welcome to Wellness Weekly, where we understand that support is essential to mental wellbeing.  This week, we’re focusing on community building.

As humans, we are social creatures who are meant to connect and collaborate with others. When we are connected to a healthy, supportive network, we gain access to more perspectives, experiences, and resources. Being part of a community also helps combat feelings of loneliness and gives us a sense of belonging.

Unsure how to connect to your community? Check out https://lowercape.crediblemind.com/topics/community-building for helpful tips!

Credible Mind is a free, confidential online resource for the Lower and Outer Cape communities.

Cape Cod Bridges Project Open House

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will host a recreation open house regarding the replacement of the Cape Cod Bridges at the Bournedale Elementary School Gymnasium, 41 Ernest Valeri Road, Bourne, on Tuesday, January 20th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The purpose of this recreation open house is to initiate the public notice and comment period required by Section 4(f) of the DOT Act regarding "direct use" of parks and recreation properties, share information and graphics regarding potential wayfinding signage, and provide an update on the status of the project, bridge design, roadway approaches, and multimodal accommodations. MassDOT will receive and consider public comments at the open house.

Public comments on this matter are welcome and should be submitted within 2 weeks of the open house. Comments should be submitted via the Project's online comment form, submitted via email to luisa.paiewonsky@dot.state.ma.us, or mailed to Luisa Paiewonsky, Executive Director, Megaprojects Delivery Office, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 4160, Boston, MA 02116.

To sign up to receive program updates please visit: http://tiny.cc/CapeCodProgramSub. For more information on the program please visit the program web site: https://www.mass.gov/cape-bridges. Please feel free to extend this meeting invitation to others that may have an interest in attending. In the interim, please use the Program's comment form for any questions or concerns at: http://tiny.cc/CapeCodProgramCF.