Green algae bloom on the edge of a forested pond.

Goose Pond Health Advisory

On September 27th a visible algal bloom was reported on the north side of Goose Pond. Samples collected by the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), show a Dolichospermum bloom, a type of Cyanobacteria, detected at elevated levels in the water.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) has recommended the pond be posted a public health advisory due to toxin concerns.

Do not swim, wade, or come in contact with the water, scum, foam or algae at Goose Pond, and keep pets from swimming in pond.
Seek medical attention if you or family members are experiencing illness after swimming or playing in water. Recreational waters containing cyanotoxin at levels exceeding the state’s guidelines for issuing a Health Advisory can put you at risk of various adverse health effects including upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Exposure to concentrations of cyanotoxins higher than the state’s guideline values could potentially result in more serious illnesses, including liver or kidney damage.
Pets may be vulnerable to adverse health effects of cyanotoxins. Contact a veterinarian if your pet shows signs of illness.
If you, your family members, or pets have experienced adverse cyanobacteria-related health effects, please contact the Chatham Health Division to report the illness.

Chatham Health Division is working closely with APCC and DPH to address the situation. Retesting of the water body will take place next week.

The Town of Chatham will post updated information when the Advisory is lifted or if there are any changes to the conditions of this recreational closure.

For more information, please contact Chatham Health Division or visit or the State's information page on algae blooms or the Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod's website.

Concentric orange circles with Cape Cod Commission in gray type below

Low Lying Roads Assessment

Continuing an effort to shore up the region’s roads most susceptible to the impacts of climate change, the Cape Cod Commission will soon begin work with five more Cape Cod towns to examine vulnerabilities in the roadway network and identify solutions.

Chatham, along with Harwich, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Provincetown will share a $205,479 action grant awarded through the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program to assess low-lying roads in each community and develop solutions. This funding is part of $32.8 million in MVP Program grants awarded to Massachusetts cities and towns in late August through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.With this latest award, all fifteen Cape Cod towns will have participated in the low-lying roads project.

“Chatham is very pleased to be included, along with our neighboring communities, in the latest round of MVP grants to assess vulnerabilities of roadways to storm surge and sea level rise,” said Chatham Town Manager Jill Goldsmith. “In addition to identifying which roads are most susceptible to flooding, the effort will also assist the Town to prioritize which roads should be addressed first based on overall community impacts.”

Tour of Godfrey Windmill October 4, 2022

Front door of Chatham Railroad Museum with Open flag next to it

Railroad Museum Open
Columbus Day Weekend

Looking for a fun family activity for the upcoming Columbus Day weekend?

Head on over to the Chatham Railroad Museum on Saturday, October 8the from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Sunday, October 9th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

As always, admission is free, but donations are welcome!

Cod fish in a blue circle surrounded by the words County of Barnstable Massachusetts

County to Hold Community Meeting

The Barnstable County HOME Consortium is preparing a plan for allocating federal funds that will be available through a special grant round under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $1,556,508 from the federal HOME-ARP Program to Barnstable County for activities including housing, services, and shelter.

The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan will inform the County's use of these one-time supplemental funds for homeless assistance and supportive services.

Barnstable County HOME Consortium staff and consultants from Barrett Planning Group LLC will conduct a virtual community meeting on Monday, October 3rd at 12 p.m.
The purpose of this meetings is to hear comments and address questions about the Barnstable County HOME Consortium’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and the needs of homeless individuals and others at risk of housing instability from Barnstable County residents, public agencies, community organizations; other interested parties are encouraged to participate.

Drive Through Flu Vaccination & COVID Booster Clinic

The Health Division has scheduled a drive through clinic for flu vaccinations and COVID-19 booster on Wednesday October 19th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Department of Public Works complex, 221 Crowell Road.

The clinic is open to adults 18 and older. Senior doses will be available for those 65+. There is a $0 copay with Medicare and most insurance plans. Please wear a mask and short sleeves or sleeveless shirt (for access to your deltoid muscle) to the clinic. Please leave pets at home!

Register for the clinic by calling Cape Cod Health Care at 508-862-7000. Any questions, call the Health Division at 508-945-5165.

Housing to Protect Cape Cod

Registration is now open for the official launch and summit of Housing to Protect Cape Cod on November 3rd from 9 -11:30 a.m. at the Cape Codder Resort, Hyannis.

The Housing to Protect Cape Cod initiative was launched by Housing Assistance Corporation in partnership with the Cape Cod and Islands Association of REALTORS®, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, CapeBuilt Companies, and the Homebuilders and Remodelers of Cape Cod to mobilize residents in support of a policy platform to foster year-round housing while protecting our critical environmental resources and community character.

The summit will feature the release of a commissioned report on the intersection of the Cape's economy and housing strategy and feature Tim Cornwell, Principal of the Concord Group, a nationally renowned economist and expert on multi-family and infill development strategy, and affordable housing planning.

Next Select Board Meeting - October 4, 2022 @ 5:30 p.m.

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.

Attend in-person at the Town Office Annex, Large Meeting Room. Join the meeting on-line or participate by phone by dialing 1-508-945-4410 and entering Conference ID 203 386 491#.

I. Minutes
September 27, 2022

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Consider Amendment(s) to the Water Conservation Restrictions + Drinking Water Testing and Pumping Update (Public Works Director Tom Temple)

IV. Public Comments on Business Agenda

V. Business Agenda (Board Discussion Items)

A. One Day Special Alcohol Permits; Mahi Gold, 465 Main Street – 10/8, 10/22, 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, 12/3, 12/9, 12/10, 12/24, 12/31

B. Opioid Abatement Funds (Kate Lena, Barnstable County Department of Human Services)

C. Release of Executive Session Minutes

1. Litigation – Fox Pond Suit (August 20, 2013)

2. Litigation – Workmen Compensation Suit (May 19, 2015)

3. Litigation – MA Commission Against Discrimination Suit (February 25, 2019)

4. Litigation – Coastal Storm Damage/Emergency Dredging/Appeal of DEP Superseding Amended Order (April 2, 2018; August 15, 2018; August 26, 2019)

5. Litigation – Comprehensive Conservation Plan Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (April 2, 2013; January 21, 2014; March 10, 2015; November 10, 2015; February 16, 2016; April 5, 2016; July 26, 2016; October 25, 2016; May 30, 2017; July 1, 2019)

D. Committee Appointments – Traffic Safety Committee, Cultural Council

E. Adjourn Select Board Meeting and Convene Meeting of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) Board of Trustees

VI. AHTF Executive Session – MGL Chapter 30a, §21 #6
To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body with no return to open session (0 Meetinghouse Road).

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