COVID-19 Update

There have been 644 cases of COVID-19 reported in Town since March 2020. There have been 77 cases reported in January 2022 through the 17th, compared to 106 cases reported in all of January 2021.

The Town’s percent positivity as of January 13, 2022 for the previous two weeks has declined to 13.9%, which is the third lowest on Cape. The average daily incidence rate also declined to 80.9, which is the second lowest on Cape.

Free At Home Tests

Beginning January 19, 2022 the federal government has made free at-home COVID-19 rapid test kits available to all residents through a new web-based ordering platform. Each household is entitled to four kits through this program. The rapid antigen at-home tests can be ordered from the US Postal Service.

In "Retrospect"

After 37 years of service to the Town of Chatham and its citizens Parks & Recreation Director Dan Tobin is retiring on January 28, 2022.

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith and Dan met virtually for a look back at his time with Town and talked about some of the changes that have (and have not) occured during his tenure. Channel 18 recorded their discussion and it is available to view on Channel 18's YouTube channel and it will be broadcast on Channel 18 through the end of the month.

If you see Dan around Town, please thank him for his service and wish him the best in the future!

Save the Date

The Monomoy Regional School District Superintendent Scott Carpenter will present proposed amendments to the Regional Agreement between the School District and the towns of Chatham and Harwich at the Chatham Select Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The proposed amendments will address the funding inequities of the elementary schools created by the current assessment formula. The District's draft budget for FY2023 will also be presented.

Cartoon of audience with with speech bubble and megaphone above

Historic Incentive Bylaw

The Chatham Historical Commission welcomes your participation in an online Community Input Session on Tuesday, February 1st at 10:30 am to receive input on a draft Historic Incentive bylaw.

This proposed bylaw encourages the preservation of buildings, structures, sites and settings of historical or architectural significance by allowing such buildings to remain in place, by expanding viable options for the reuse of historic buildings, and by permitting flexibility of dimensional requirements that might be an impediment to historic preservation.

For more information on the Historic Incentive Bylaw Zoning Initiative and to review the draft bylaw, please visit the Historical Commission’s webpage.

If you are unable to participate in the input session, the Historical Commission is accepting written comments on the draft Protective (Zoning) Bylaw via email to Principal Planner Aly Sabatino until 9 a.m. on February 1, 2022.

Town of Chatham Mass seal noting incorporation date of June 11, 1712

Property Acquisition Proposals Due

The Town of Chatham, Massachusetts (“Town”) and the Chatham Affordable Housing Trust are seeking to acquire real property, by purchase, gift, or lease (minimum term of 99 years) within the Town a parcel of land, or parcels of land, suitable for construction or an existing building suitable for renovation for use as a mix of affordable and attainable housing (30% of Area Median Income and up to 200% of Area Median Income).

The Request for Proposals (RFP) and supporting documents may be obtained via email from Shanna Nealy (snealy@chatham-ma.gov) or at the Chatham Town Offices, Town Manager’s Office, 549 Main Street, Chatham, MA.

Sealed proposals will be received at the Office of the Town Manager, 549 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633 until 2:00 PM on February 2, 2022. Late submittals will not be accepted. After the bid closing time, the Interested Party submittals will be opened for the sole purpose of recording the names of the Interested Parties submitting.

The Town reserves the right to reject any or all proposals if deemed in the best interest of the Town.

MMA Municipal Website Award

The Town is the Category 3 (population 5,000 to 12,000) winner of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Website Award. The Town's website scored highest in categories that evaluated navigation and organization of material, convenience of information, functionality, and overall experience of the website.

The Website Award winners will be recognized during the MMA virtual Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 22nd.

Congratulations to IT Manager Ryan Darmon who oversaw the creation of our new website and thank you to the citizens who volunteered their input as part of a test group during its creation.

Next Select Board Meeting - Virtual Participation Only

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
January 11, 2022
January 18, 2022

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 Hearings

a. New Seasonal All Alcoholic Beverages License; TPJ Chatham Group LLC d/b/a The Chatham Cut, 1200 Main Street, Alberto Tumiati, Manager.

C. Public Comments on Business Agenda

D. Business Agenda (Board Discussion Items)

a. Bikeways Committee Proposed Project Update; George Ryder Road Connection to West Chatham Multi-Use Path; Application for MassTrails Funding; Consider Signing Land Owner Permission Form

b. Joshua Jethro Road Drainage Project Update - [Public Comments WILL Be Accepted] Gary Glazier, DPW Superintendent

c. 32 Mill Hill Road Conditions Update - [Public Comments WILL Be Accepted] - Robert Duncanson, Director of Natural Resources

d. Sewer Installation Easement at Lot 0 Morton Road (Plan Bk. 574/88) (Easement Area 1,038 s.f.) – Robert Duncanson, Director of Natural Resources

e. Committee Appointments; Airport Commission, Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee, Conservation Commission

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