Annual Town Meeting voters in the Middle School Gym

Annual Town Meeting May 13th

17 days and counting until the start of 2024 Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 13th at 6 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Monomoy Middle School, 425 Crowell Road. Remember, in a Town Meeting form of government, you must attend the Town Meeting to vote on the warrant articles.

The Annual Town Meeting Preview Show is available for on-demand viewing on Chatham TVs YouTube Channel. The show provides a review of all the articles in the Town Meeting warrant and includes recommendations of both the Select Board and the Finance Committee.

Annual Town Meeting warrants have been mailed to the households of all registered voters to the addresses listed in the MA Secretary of State's election roles. If you haven't received a copy, stop by the Town Offices, 549 Main Street, to pick up a copy or download the digital version for easy reference from your phone or tablet.

If you are not already a Chatham voter, you have until 5 p.m. next Friday, May 3rd to register to vote in the Annual Town Meeting and the Annual Town Election. You can register in-person at the Town Clerk's office, located at 549 Main Street, or you can register online through the MA Secretary of State's website.

Primary parking for the Town Meeting is on site at Monomoy Middle School. Drop off area is always available for those with mobility challenges. Secondary lots are located at the basketball/tennis courts on Stepping Stones Road and at the Public Works complex on Crowell Road.

If you don't want to fight for a parking space or want to hedge your bets on inclement weather on the night of the Town Meeting, why not sign up for a free door to door ride with the Council on Aging? Just call Debbie Mayhew at 508-945-5190 by Friday, May 10th to register.

Childcare is available for ages 3 & up by reservation. Drop off begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Middle School Library. Please email Susan Mabile with your name, address, contact phone number, your child's name, age, and any medical issues no later than noon on Friday, May 10th.

Annual Town Election May 16th

And don't forget to vote in the Annual Town Elections on Thursday, May 16th. Polls will be open at the Community Center, 702 Main Street, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The following Town Officers are being elected this year:

Two Select Board Members for three year terms
One Moderator for a three year term
One Monomoy Regional School Committee (Chatham) Member for a three year term
One Chatham Housing Authority Member for a five year term

There are also two questions on the ballot this year. Each are Debt Exclusion questions which ask if the Town should be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition Two and One-Half, amounts required to pay for bonds issued for the purpose of paying costs associated with the Transfer Station project (Annual Town Meeting Article 17 - redesign, renovation, construction and equipping of the Town's Transfer Station) and the Waterfront Infrastructure Bond (Annual Town Meeting Article 18 - design, renovation, and construction of various projects involving waterfront infrastructure and facilities, including landings and land acquisition costs and facilities).

Coffee With the Town Manager

Stop by the Center for Active Living, 193 Stony Hill Road, on Wednesday, May 1st from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and ask Town Manager Jill Goldsmith your questions about Annual Town Meeting warrant articles.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the issues you'll be voting on and enjoy a cup of coffee or two.

Please call 508-945-5190 to sign up.

Aerial view of Chatham Municipal Airport from the south

ATM Article 40 Information

The Airport Commission has added a new page to its website with information and an Interactive Map Viewer specifically related to Annual Town Meeting Article 40 - General Bylaw Amendment; Chapter 40, Airport Approach Zone Map.

By using the Interactive Map Viewer residents and property owners can view their parcel of interest in relation to the existing 1958 Approach Zones and the proposed 2024 Approach Zones. Instructions on how to use the Map Viewer are located below the link to it on the webpage.

A public hearing on this proposed General Bylaw Amendment will be held on Tuesday, May 7th at 5:30 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road, and virtually through the link posted to the Select Board's agenda.

Adult Behavioral Health Clinician Hired

We are thrilled to welcome Diane Nash to Team Chatham as our first Adult Behavioral Health Community Services Clinician on Monday, May 6th. This new position was was created and approved in FY2024 based on a recommendation from the Human Services Committee.

Ms. Nash has served as the Advantage Program Counselor at Cape Cod Community College since 2002. In that role, she has provided wrap-around services to students, including those considered at risk, and initiated referrals for support programs and mental health services.

Ms. Nash holds a Master Degree in Social Work through Boston College and is a licensed School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor in addition to being a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

Rear tire of a gray vehicle parked outside a white parking space line

Electronic Ticketing Starts May 6th

Keep those tires within the lines! You don't want to be one of the firsts to test out the Town's new electronic parking ticket system.

Starting May 6th, officers will be issuing tickets electronically for parking violations. Violators will still receive a paper ticket under their wiper but it will look a bit different and will now be much easier to pay and clear online.

Book and Media Swap April 27 and 28 at the Annex

RE & Personal Property Taxes Due

The second installment of FY2024 Real Estate and Personal Property tax bill payments are due in the Treasurer/Collector's Office by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1st.

Online payments can be made through the Town of Chatham's website through City Hall Systems.

As a reminder, online features through City Hall Systems include e-billing, a single shopping cart for multiple bill types, as well as giving the online user the ability to view and print original bill copies for this current or past fiscal years which will be useful when filing annual taxes. All ACH (electronic check) transactions are free of charge. Credit/debit card payments are charged 2.95% ($1 minimum) of the amount charged.

Address Changes for MV & Boat Excise Taxes

Any changes to the mailing or garaging addresses for Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes must be made through the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Any changes to the mailing or mooring/storage addresses for Boat Excise Taxes must be made through the MA Environmental Police.

American flag flying at half staff against a blue sky background

Half Staff Notice - Monday, April 29th

Governor Maura Healey has ordered that the United States Of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flags be lowered to half staff at all state buildings from sunrise until sunset on Monday, April 29th, in honor of Corporal Manuel John Pimentel, U.S. Marine Corps, of Medford, MA who was killed during the Guadalcanal campaign of World War II on the day his remains will be laid to rest at the Cambridge Cemetery, in Cambridge, MA.

This order applies to the main or administrative building of each public institution of the Commonwealth (town and city halls), other state-owned or state-controlled buildings, and all state military installations.

Chatham Town Seal with silhouette of a speaker at a podium inside it

Upcoming Public Hearings

The Select Board will hold the following public hearings during its regularly scheduled meetings beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

Remote participation is available through the link in the posted agendas.

April 30

To consider a petition from Verizon New England, Inc. and NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to place two new jointly owned poles - 90/4 and 90/6 - and one push brace at pole 90/14PB on Morton Road.

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 1-3" conduit 45' +/- from proposed hand hold 522/HA under Phoebe Lane to customer hand hold 522/HB.

To consider a request for increased sewer flow of 3,439 gpd for a non-single family residential property to accommodate a new 110-seat restaurant located at 859 Main Street operated by 859 Main Street, LLC d/b/a Chatham Greens and Rotisserie.

May 7

To consider amending General Bylaw Chapter 100

Airport Approach Zone Map
Scrivener's Error, Correction "not"

Proposed amendments may be reviewed in Articles 39 and 40 of the 2024 Annual Town Meeting warrant.

To consider an application for a new Seasonal All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant license for Mustard Seed LLC d/b/a CODO, 859 Main Street.

To consider a request for an amendment to the Annual Entertainment license held by OneDrop Operating LLC d/b/a Chatham Squire, 487 Main Street, to include outdoor entertainment from May to November.

All interested parties are encouraged to participate.

Next Select Board Meeting - April 30, 2024 @ 4:30 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. 4:30 PM - Executive Session – MGL Chapter 30A, §21a #6, #7

To consider the exchange, lease, or value of real property located at 0 Meetinghouse Road, South Chatham and 0/1533 Main Street, West Chatham in relation to the disposition of said properties for the creation of Affordable/Attainable Housing and to review the contents of proposals submitted therefor in compliance with the confidentiality requirement of G.L. c. 30B, §6(d), and the Chairs declare that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body, WITH return to Open Session.

II. Minutes

A. April 16, 2024

III. Public Announcements and Agenda Requests

IV. Appointment of Special/Substitute Town Counsel for the Annual Town Meeting (Town Counsel Costello is Not Available for Town Meeting)

V. Public Hearings

A. Utility Hearing; Install 1-3” conduit 45’ +/- from proposed hand hold 522/HA under Phoebe Lane to customer hand hold 522/HB

B. Utility Hearing; Install two jointly owned poles – 90/4, and 90/6 – and one pole 90/14PB on Morton Road in Chatham

C. Request for Additional Sewer Flow at 859 Main Street, Chatham (Water & Sewer Commission)

VI. Public Comments on Business Agenda

VII. Business Agenda

A. Consider Appointment/Reappointment Interview Process 2024

B. Town Manager Monthly Report – March 2024

VIII. Executive Session - MGL Ch. 30A §21a(#3)

To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the Chair so declares, with NO return to Open Session Collective Bargaining Tentative Agreements:

A. Chatham Permanent Fire Fighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2712

B. Chatham Sergeants and Police Officers – MA Coalition of Police Officers (MCOP) Local 294

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!

Subscribe to The Mainsheet

Subscribe today to have the latest issue of The Mainsheet delivered directly to your inbox each week! Sign-up through Notify Me! by entering your email address and clicking on the envelope icon next to the "Government" subscription list.

Town of Chatham website www.chatham-ma.gov