Cyanobacteria Advisory Lifted

The Cyanobacteria Advisory posted for Goose Pond on September 27th was lifted today as conditions have improved. All recreational activities may be resumed at the pond.

The season for cyanobacteria blooms is winding down but if you notice pond water that is scummy, or discolored and may have a strong odor, avoid contact and notify the Health Department.

Two red white and blue buttons with Early Voting spelled out across the center of them

Early Voting Begins October 22nd

In-person early voting begins on Saturday, October 22nd at the Town Clerk's Office at 549 Main Street and runs through Friday, November 4th. In-person early voting is available from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays. There is no in-person early voting on Sundays.

The deadline to register to vote is October 29th.

If you submitted a postcard for "all elections this year" in 2022, please keep an eye out as your ballot will be arriving by US Mail. The last day to request a ballot by mail is November 1st.

Any questions? Please call the Town Clerk's office at 508-945-5101 or contact the Town Clerk by email.

Job Posting for Director of Public Works

Scenes of pumpkins and harvest decorations around Town

In the SPIRIT of the Season

Travel & Leisure Magazine recently listed Chatham 4th of America's Best Towns for Halloween and we couldn't agree more!

Return of the Pumpkin People

The Chamber of Commerce & Merchants Association "Pumpkin People in the Park" returns to Kate Gould Park this weekend. Stroll through the Park to see creative displays by local merchants and organizations. The People will be around through Halloween.

OktoberFest

An expanded OktoberFest will be held on Saturday, October 22nd, 10:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m. in Kate Gould Park and, new this year, the Town Office parking lot at 549 Main Street. This popular annual event has grown to include kids games, Devil's Purse Beer Garden, food trucks, food & goods vendors, and a line-up of musical performances at the Whit Tileston Bandstand.

Music kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with the Chatham Town Band. At 11:45 a.m. our little ghosts and goblins will enjoy a costume parade around the bandstand. Then put your dancing shoes on for Polka Dan's Beetbox Band at 12:15 p.m., The Rafters at 2 p.m., and Super Soulshine at 3:15 p.m.

Chatham Elementary School Costume Parade

Main Street is the place to be on Friday, October 28th around 3:30 p.m. when the students and teachers from Chatham Elementary School take to the sidewalks and parade through in their Halloween costumes.

Witches are Walking Again!

If you are downtown on Saturday, October 29th, keep your children close as there will be witches about! Monomoy Community Services is once again holding its Witches Walk fundraiser. This ladies night out (sorry guys!) features food, dancing, raffles, games, and general mischief in support of programs and services for local families.

Halloween Night

Sunset on Halloween Night is 5:36 p.m. Please be extra vigilant when driving in Town that evening. If you don't need to drive near our busiest trick or treating neighborhoods (Elkanah Street comes to mind), please avoid the area.

If you live on a street that doesn't get many, if any, trick or treaters, please consider making a candy donation to Monomoy Community Services which helps supplement the homeowners' supply in those popular neighborhoods on the big night. Bagged candy can be dropped off at Monomoy Community Services, 166 Depot Road, during normal business hours until October 26th.

Black dog in the woods wearing a blaze orange vest

Hunting Season Safety

Embrace all things orange this fall - turning leaves on your lawn, pumpkins on your porch, and blaze orange outerwear for you and your canine companion when venturing into the woods.

October is the start of the fall hunting with upland game birds season including wild turkey (October 3rd - November 26th) and pheasant, quail and grouse (October 15th - November 26th). It is also deer season by archery (October 3rd - November 26th). Stay safe and visible or limit your walks in the woods to Sundays when hunting is not allowed.

Next Select Board Meeting - October 18, 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

October 11, 2022

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Consider Amendments to Water Conservation Restrictions

IV. Consent Agenda

A. Sign State Election Warrant

B. Entertainment Permit; Monomoy Community Services; Witches Walk Dance Lesson; Parking Spaces at 549 Main Street lot; October 29, 2022, 6-8 p.m.

V. Public Comments on Business Agenda

VI. Business Agenda (Board Discussion Items)

A. Opioid Abatement Funds (Mandi Speakman, Barnstable County Department of Human Services)

B. Consider Request by Council on Aging Board of Directors and Park & Recreation Commissioners to Support the Vote of the Council on Aging (COA) Board of Directors in Opposition of Constructing a COA Facility adjacent to the Community Center (Patricia Burke & Meredith Fry)

C. Appropriate role of the Select Board in regard to the negotiation and acceptance of anonymous monetary donation agreements which commit discretionary authority to the donors, and which incur obligations on the Town on the development and use of Town property (Select Board Member Dean Nicastro)

D. Short-Term Rentals Working Group – Approve Recommended Membership

E. Committee Appointment – Bikeways Committee

F. Release of Executive Session Minutes:

i. Litigation - Citizens for a Safe Chatham Airport, et al v. Town of Chatham (December 15, 2015; March 29, 2016; April 12, 2016; November 14, 2016; March 21, 2017; May 23, 2017; December 12, 2017; December 26, 2017; January 8, 2018; February 5, 2018; April 2, 2018; August 26, 2019)

ii. Litigation - Skydive Cape Cod, Inc. v. Town of Chatham, et al (October 14, 2014; May 6, 2015; June 23, 2015; June 30, 2015; May 23, 2017; September 12, 2017; October 17, 2017; December 12, 2017; December 26, 2017; January 8, 2018; February 5, 2018; August 26, 2019; September 21, 2021)

iii. Litigation - Skydive Cape Cod, inc. v. Town of Chatham [Federal Aviation Administration, Part 13 Administrative Complaint] (June 26, 2017)

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