COVID-19 Update

There have been 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Town in through September 13, 2021 There were only eight cases reported in Town in the entire month of September 2020.

However, after steady increases since August 26 both the average daily incidence and percent daily positivity rate for Chatham declined as of the State's most recent reporting on September 9th.

Per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MADPH) if you are not vaccinated please wear a mask indoors in public; if fully vaccinated, wear a mask indoors in public to maximize protection from the Delta variant of COVID-19.

Testing Site Opened in Eastham

Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment has opened a free PCR COVID-19 testing site at the Eastham Police Department, 2550 Route 6, on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants should follow signs to the Police Station's rear parking lot and park in the area designated for testing participants. Clinic staff will provide instructions on accessing the testing facility. 

Results will be available within 24-48 hours depending on the volume of tests submitted. Participants who receive a negative result will be notified via email. Participants who receive a positive result will be notified via phone.

Free drive through testing is also offered at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds' East Gate off Route 151 in Falmouth on Thursdays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Anyone interested in receiving a free COVID-19 test at either site can make an appointment online.

FY 2022 Tax Rate Set

The Town's FY2022 tax rate has been set at $4.62 per $1000 assessed value. This is down from $4.98 for FY2021. The Town's total valuation has increased by 10.6% based on calendar year 2020 sales.

Tax bills will be mailed out on October 1st and payments are due to the Treasurer/Tax Collector by 4 p.m. on Monday, November 1st. Payments may be made by check via mail or drop box at 549 Main Street or online by electronic check (ACH) or credit card. Online ACH transactions are free of charge, while payments by credit card are subject to a 2.9% ($1.00 minimum) fee.

If you do not receive your tax bill by October 12th, please contact the Treasurer/Tax Collector at 508-945-5108.

In Case You Missed It

WCAI toured the Town's upweller facility in mid-July and interviewed Shellfish Constable Renee Gagne and Shellfish Propagation Specialist Rachel Hutchinson for a story on the Cape's municipal shellfish propagation programs. 

If you missed the radio broadcast, read the story on WCAI's website.

Phishing Scam Alert

A new phishing scam has been identified which targets users of the MyChart app used locally by patients of Cape Cod Healthcare to access test results, scheduling reminders, and prescription information. 

The scammers send a convincing looking email, including the first name of the recipient, indicating there is a new message in MyChart. The email provides a fraudulent link to log into the MyChart account. 

Cape Cod Healthcare (CCHC) will never request an online visitor to provide personal health or financial information by email. Please notify the Cape Cod Healthcare Compliance Hotline 800-892-9205 immediately if you receive an email claiming to be from CCHC or its MyChart patient portal requesting personal health or financial information.

For more information visit Cape Cod Healthcare's website.

Never log into any of your accounts through an unsolicited email. Only log into accounts from trusted secure websites.

Energy Efficiency Programs

For your Home

Find out if your home is energy efficient before winter weather drives your heating costs higher.

No-cost home energy assessments are available to all existing Eversource electric customers on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. Home energy assessments help identify energy-efficient upgrades that will reduce energy bills and increase year-round comfort. 

During an assessment you'll receive LED replacement bulbs for inefficient incandescent lightbulbs, low-flow showerhead and faucet aerators, air sealing, and advanced power strips. Following the assessment, you will receive a customized energy report tailored specifically to your home and offers and incentives to make upgrades. 

Contact the Cape Light Compact to schedule a Home Energy Assessment (either in-person or virtual) today at 1-800-797-6699 or visit their website for more information.

For Your Business

Cape Light Compact will be returning to Chatham with its Main Streets initiative to help small businesses save energy and money from Tuesday, September 21 through Thursday, September 23. 

Cape Light Compact energy efficiency representatives will meet with business about ways to save energy and install energy efficiency measures.

Plus, for a limited time, the Compact is offering businesses using less than 1.5 million kWh per year enhanced incentives up to 100% on select lighting, refrigeration, and other eligible electric energy-efficiency upgrades.

If you wish to schedule an appointment call 1-855-872-5291.

Next Select Board Meeting

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.
 
Join the meeting on-line or participate by phone by dialing 1-508-945-4410 and entering Conference ID 134 208 476#. 

I. Minutes

September 7, 2021

September 14, 2021

 
II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests
 
III. New Business

A. Corona virus (COVID-19) Update (Health Agent Judy Giorgio and Town Manager Jill Goldsmith)

B. Drinking Water Testing and Pumping Update (Public Works Director Tom Temple)

a. Clarify Extent of Outdoor Watering Ban

C. Public Comments on Business Agenda

D. Public Hearings

a. Utility Pole Hearing; Middle Road, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy

E. Business Agenda (Board Discussion Items)

a. Special One Day Wine & Malt Beverages Permits; Mahi Gold, 465 Main Street

b. Coast Guard Station Chatham – Correspondence/Briefing [Vice-Char Shareen Davis & Clerk Cory Metters]

c. Report Transmittal - "Alternatives Providing Shore Protection and Mitigating Shoaling along the Coast Fronting Stage Harbor" (Informational Item. No Action Needed) [Ted Keon]

d. Convene the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees

 
IV. Executive Session – MGL Chapter 39, §23B #3 & #6
To consider the purchase, exchange, taking, lease, or value of real property (Update on Property Acquisition for Affordable/Attainable Housing) and to discuss strategy regarding litigation (Sky Dive Cape Cod Litigation Status) and the Chair declares an Open Meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating and litigating positions of the public body with no return to Open Session.

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!