COVID-19 Update

There have been 474 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Town since March 2020. In November 2021 there were 44 cases, compared with 13 cases in November 2020. Through December 13 there have been 24 cases in December 2021. In all of December 2020 there were 57 total cases.

While the Town’s percent positivity rate was slightly lower for the reported period than last week, our average daily incidence rate has increased.

Free Testing Available

Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment continues to provide free COVID-19 Testing at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds. Free drive-through PCR testing takes place on the following dates and times at the East Gate (off Rte. 151 near Ashumet Road):
Thursday, December 16, 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 21, 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 28, 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Thursday, January 6, 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Schedule your test online.

Free drive-through COVID-19 PCR testing is also offered by Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment at the Orleans Department of Public Works, 40 Giddiah Hill Road, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Appointments for the Orleans site are also available online.

Cape Cod Commission Grant Funding

The Cape Cod Commission has received a grant of $144,043 from the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to complete the Land Use Planning for Economic Resilience project, an effort to facilitate vibrant, compact mixed-use downtown areas across the region and improve the stability and resiliency of the local economy.

Cape Cod Commission staff will lead the project in collaboration with the towns of Barnstable, Chatham, and Eastham. The project will result in a better understanding of long-term trends and pandemic-induced impacts on commercial and mixed-use development to inform identification of best practices for leveraging land use and zoning tools to sustain local economies and foster resilient development patterns for all 15 Cape towns.

Justin Gedney and Susan Piccolomini stand in front of Treasurer/Collector window.

Collections Assistant Justin Gedney and Assistant Treasurer/ Collector Susan Piccolomini

New Additions to Team Chatham

The Town welcomed two new team members in the Treasurer/Collectors office this fall.

Chatham resident Susan Piccolomini took over as the Assistant Treasurer/Collector in September upon the retirement of Marie Chmura.

Justin Gedney was appointed as our Collections Assistant in early November. He lives in Harwich.

Please join us in welcoming Justin and Susan next time you stop in at 549 Main Street to pay a tax or water bill.

Conservation Staff Achievement

Conservation Agent Nicole Smith and Conservation Secretary Crystal Keon have successfully completed eight units of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissioners (MACC) Fundamentals for Massachusetts Conservation Commissioners training and have received Certificates of Achievement for the accomplishment.

The Fundamentals program provides conservation commissioners and others with knowledge and practical tools essential to carry out the many responsibilities of administering the Wetlands Protection Act and open space planning. Such training promotes sound, consistent fact-based decision-making. Each person who completes the course validates the wisdom of locally-based protection of wetlands and open space.

Congratulations to Nicki and Crystal!

Christmas Tree Pick-up Fundraiser

Chatham Boy Scout Troop 71 is holding a Christmas Tree pick-up fundraiser.

For a $10 donation per tree, the Boy Scouts will pickup and dispose of your tree for you. Payment is by cash or check payable to "Chatham Troop 71" and the service is open to Chatham, Harwich and Orleans residents. Trees should be free of all decorations and tinsel and left curbside by 8 a.m. on pick-up day.

To schedule pick-up on January 8 or January 9, call Abby at 508-304-3154 or complete the online form no later than December 31st. Thank you in advance for supporting our Boy Scouts!

The Giants have arrived! Three lighted whale sculptures, donated to the Town by Mary Beth and Stephen Daniel, have been erected on the Community Center lawn.

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
December 14, 2021

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. New Business

A. Corona virus (COVID-19) Update (Director of Natural Resources Dr. Robert Duncanson and Town Manager Jill Goldsmith)

B. Public Comments on Business Agenda

C. Business Agenda (Board Discussion Items)

a. Update on Town of Chatham’s Emergency Management Program – Community Center & Personal Care Site (John Kondratowicz)

b. MA Clean Water Trust Financing Agreement (Alix Heilala)

c. Consider Opting In to Municipal Opioid Litigation Settlement via MA Attorney General’s Office (Alix Heilala)

d. Consider Date of 2022 Annual Town Meeting

e. Annual Business License Renewal; Auto Dealers, Innholders, Lodging House, Automatic Amusement, Entertainment, Common Victuallers

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