Christmas Stroll Tonight

Downtown will be full of festive cheer tonight for the Annual Tree Lighting and Christmas Stroll. The Light Parade will step off from the Community Center at 5:30 p.m. with a public safety escort and head to Sears Park for the tree lighting. Temporary road closures and detours will be in place during the parade.

As the downtown area will be particularly busy this evening, please use extra caution if driving between the Rotary and Shore Road.

Excellence in Financial Reporting

The Town of Chatham has been awarded a Certificate of Acheivement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. The Certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate the Town’s financial story. The attainment of the Certificate represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith said, “I am proud of the work of our professional finance team and our ongoing efforts to provide complete financial transparency to the community.”

This is the second consecutive year the Town has been awarded a Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the GFOA.

Police Dispatcher Dana Grim is sworn in be Assistant Town Clerk Amy Burrow

New Dispatcher Joins the PD

Dana Grim has been appointed by the Town Manager as Chatham’s newest Dispatcher, reporting to Chief of Police Mike Anderson. He began his employment on November 27^th.

Mr. Grim has worked locally in Chatham for the past five years as the firearms manager at North Chatham Outfitters and has collaborated with Police Departments across Cape Cod. He performed the same position at Goose Hummock in Orleans and worked as a horticulturalist prior to that. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Bridgewater State University.

Mr. Grim grew up in North Attleboro and now resides in Chatham with his fiancé Lauren and their daughter.

Welcome to Team Chatham!

Ask the Town Manager

Are you curious about why municipal government functions as it does? Do you wonder how contracts for projects are awarded? Submit your questions to Shanna Nealy and we will use this space for the answers.

A woman with dark shoulder length hair standing beside a podium with a screen behind her showing a slide asking for questions with audience members in front of herr

In Case You Missed It

The Town hosted a public information session and stakeholders meeting on the replacement of the flood gate on Morris Island Road on Wednesday, December 6^th.

Dr. Maura Boswell of Geosyntec Consultants, the firm engaged by the Town to evaluate the existing structure and surrounding area to determine the type of replacement gate needed. reviewed the data collected to date and discussed further data analysis needed.

Resident/property owners from Morris Island Road, the Little Beach area, Stage Island & Morris Island and Town officials had an opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns about the project.

The session was recorded and will be available for viewing on Chatham TV next week.

The Sound Dunes concert at the Community Center December 13, noon to 1:30 p.m.

Preschool students sitting on the floor while an adult reads to them

Impact of Preschool Support Program

Funding for the Dr. Florence Seldin Pre-School Family Support program which provides up to $5,000 in tuition assistance paid directly to providers for 3-year olds and up to $10,000 for 4-year olds was originally approved by 2022 Annual Town Meeting and was replenished by 2023 Annual Town Meeting.

This program is making a real difference in our community as evidenced by cards and letters sent in to the Select Board from participating families:

“We feel immensely supported by our town and community.”
“Providing financial support to young families in this town allows families who want to work and contribute to the town the ability to live in the place they love.”
“We appreciate being able to be in Chatham without worrying about funds for (our daughter’s) school and education.”

If you know a Chatham family that would benefit from this program, please encourage them to apply as funding is still available!

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith, Jeremy Sheetinger, Steve West standing together in the Town Office lobby

Welcome Manager "Sheets"

The Chatham Angler's new Manager Jeremy "Sheets" Sheetinger stopped by the Town Offices this week with Angler's President Steve West to meet Town Manager Jill Goldsmith.

Sheetinger, head coach of the Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) Grizzlies, was in Town for a quick visit ahead of the upcoming Cape Cod Baseball League season. He was named the Angler's new Manager in August, taking the reins from Tom Holliday who resigned in July due to health reasons. He brings a winning tradition to Town. In his four seasons at GGC, he lead them to an National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship, posted two 50-win seasons and achieved an overall record of 170-36, a .825 winning percentage!

It's never too early to start looking ahead to summer nights at Veterans Field, is it?

Person in orange safety vest standing on a pipe in the ground in front of an excavator

Sewer Construction Update

December 11th -15th

Site work will continue at Pump Stations #3 (Meeting house Road) and #4 (Twine Field Drive).

Work will also continue at the Queen Anne Road Pump Station (40 Queen Anne Road, south side of Queen Anne Road and Oyster Pond Furlong intersection) site.

No significant impacts to traffic flow are expected.

Town of Chatham Seal with silhouette of speaker at podium in the midle.

Upcoming Public Hearings

The Select Board will hold the following Public Hearings during its regular weekly meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the large meeting room in the town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road. Remote participation is available through the link in the meeting's posted agenda.

December 12

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) handhole - 122/H2A - and 65 feet +/- of 1-4 inch conduit to provide upgraded underground service to the customer at 16 Seapine Road.

To consider disbanding the Aunt Lydia's Cove Committee in accordance with Section 5-2 of the Home Rule Charter. Continued from November 28th.

December 19

To consider a request for a Change of Premise to the Annual All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant license for OneDrop Operating LLC d/b/a Chatham Squire to construct a permanent outdoor seating area with tables, counter seating, and firepit.

All interested parties are encouraged to participate.

Complimentary gift wrapping is available at the Center for Active Living on Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Lot Closure at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

The Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge parking lot on Wikis Way will be closed from December 12th - 15th for the removal of the restroom facility and some pavement, and the resetting of some fences.

For safety considerations, space restrictions, and limited staffing, the parking lot and viewing area will be closed to Refuge visitors for the duration of this project as much of the parking lot will be used for storing equipment and for the safe operation of heavy equipment and cranes.

Limited parking is possible on the Morris Island Causeway and the Morris Island Loop Trials will remain open from sunrise to sunset.

Model of a red pick-up truck with a small artificial evergreen tree in the back sitting amidst other small artificial evergreen trees

Christmas Tree Pick-Up Fundraiser

Take a load off after the holidays - have Chatham Boy Scout Troop 71 pick up and dispose of your tree!

Sign up with a suggested donation of $20 by January 2, 2024 and leave your undecorated (remove all lights, decorations, tinsel, etc.) tree curbside by 8 a.m. on January 6th. It's that easy! The Scouts will pick up the trees over the January 6-7 weekend. Pick-up is available in Chatham and Harwich. You can sign-up online, by email, or by calling 508-945-0764.

Save yourself the hassle, support our Scouts, and keep the spirit of giving going - proceeds benefit Chatham Angel Fund and Family Pantry of Cape Cod.

Next Select Board Meeting - Dec. 12, 2023 @ 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

A. December 5, 2023

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Public Hearings

A. Utility Hearing: New Handhold 122/H2A and 65’ +/- of 1-4” conduit; Seapine Road; Eversource Energy

B. Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee Report – Continuance of Public Hearing from November 28, 2023

IV. Public Comments on Business Agenda

V. Business Agenda (Board Discussion Items)

A. Consider Chatham Pesticide Reduction Home Rule Petition – Laura Kelley, Protect Our Cape Cod Aquifer (POCCA)

B. Consider License to Use Agreement - Chatham Municipal Fish Pier South Jog by Robert B. Our and Chatham Municipal Fish Pier North Jog by Wilkinson Environmental – Director of Natural Resources Greg Berman

C. Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (“The Trust”) Financing Agreement – Director of Finance Carrie Mazerolle

VI. Executive Session - MGL Chapter 30a, section 21(3)

To Discuss Strategy with Respect to Collective Bargaining [New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA) Tentative Agreement and Collective Bargaining Strategy Discussion] if an Open Meeting May Have a Detrimental Effect on the Bargaining or Litigating Position of the Select Board and the Chair so Declares with No return to Open Session.

A. New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA) Tentative Agreement for
Successor Agreement – July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027

B. Discussion of Collective Bargaining Strategy

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