Rental/Escrow Home Available

The Chatham Housing Authority has announced the availability of a two-bedroom home in the MCI Rental/Escrow Program. Eligible applicants will have the opportunity to save for a downpayment of their first home while renting a two-bedroom home on Crowell Road. 

The MCI/Escrow Program is a five-year program in which renters pay $1600 per month (not including utilities) of which the Housing Authority escrows $1050 per month. At the end of the five-year rental term, the amount in escrow is $63,000 which is then available to the renter for the sole purpose of a down payment on a home on Cape Cod.

Income limits apply. Minimum household income is $65,000. Rent cannot exceed 30% of household income.

Interested parties should attend an informational meeting in the Chatham Housing Authority’s Community Room at 240 Crowell Road on either Thursday, February 27th at 6 p.m. or Saturday, March 1st at 10:00 a.m.

Applications may be obtained at the Chatham Housing Authority, 240 Crowell Road during regular business hours, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. & Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or an application may be mailed or e-mailed to you by contacting the office at 508-945-0478. Application deadline is 12 p.m. on Friday, March 14th.

Select Board Action - Feb. 11th

The Select Board opened its meeting with a public hearing and approved a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 30’ +/- of conduit from proposed handhole 189/H1A to customer installed handhole at 14 Bucks Creek Road.

Public Works Director Rob Faley reviewed the status of the Town’s drinking water wells and water treatment facility construction for January 2025. He said construction of the treatment plant for Wells 5 & 8 is well underway and on schedule. He said water samples for bacteria were negative, but three samples detected PFAS well below allowable levels. He said the wells are currently pumping 3-6 hours per day and did not hit the low-level alarm in January. He noted two watermain leaks that skewed the water usage report for January 10th. He noted that groundwater monitoring well is not yet showing a seasonal recharge in the aquifer.

Kristin Muller, Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchant’s Association, reviewed several requests for use of Town-owned properties, roads, and resources for events the Association holds throughout the year. The Board approved Ms. Muller’s requests for the use of Kate Gould Park for the Easter Egg Hunt in April and the installation of Pumpkin People in the Park in October through Halloween. The Board approved the use of Kate Gould Park and Town Hall parking lot for Oktoberfest and granted One Day entertainment permits for both locations. The Board approved all requests associated with the Christmas Stroll.

Ms. Muller said the Art in the Park installation and auction in Kate Gould Park is the Association’s largest fundraiser which funds all their other events. She noted that without permission to use Kate Gould Park for the requested time period the other events may not be feasible. Rob Faley, Director of Public Works, noted the negative impact from the event’s prolonged foot traffic on the Park and suggested an alternate location. While considering the recommendations from Public Works and the Community Services Departments to not approve the event this year to allow for the Park to be rehabilitated, the Board approved the event and suggested landscaping alternatives at the front of the park be explored.

Community Development Director Katie Donovan presented the Eldredge Garage and Visitor Center’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station Policy and Fees. She said that when additional charging stations are approved in other areas of Town, staff would return to the Board to amend the Policy. She said the proposed fees are market rate for the area. She said the net revenues come back to the Town’s General Fund. The Select Board voted to approve the Policy.

Superintendent Robert Sanborn presented the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School District’s budget and the assessment to the Town. He reviewed enrollment figures for all towns across the District with Chatham holding at 20. He said the proposed FY2026 budget is up 5.68% over the current fiscal year. He reviewed the District’s estimated revenues and expenditures. He noted that transportation, utilities, and insurance costs are the primary drivers for the budget increase. He discussed the decrease in the District’s contribution to its Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability.

Superintendent Scott Carpenter and Michael MacMillan Business Manager for the Monomoy Regional School District reviewed the proposed FY2026 budget for the District which is up 6.86% over FY2025. Chatham’s Assessment for FY2026 will increase by 8.8% over FY2025. Mr. MacMillan discussed items that are contributing to the budget increases. Monomoy Regional School District Committee will vote its final budget in March.

Superintendent Carpenter discussed the results of recent indoor air quality testing done in response to concerns about mold at the Middle School. He discussed additional testing that has been done and will be conducted shortly. He noted the work of the Building Committee on the siding project and the need to properly install windows/flashing as part of that project.

Mr. MacMillan reviewed plans to locate the Integrated pre-school program in Harwich Elementary School and a language rich pre-school program at Chatham Elementary School. Mr. MacMillan reviewed the revenue sources and grant funding being used towards the budget and the District’s costs per student.

The public is encouraged to watch the meeting in its entirety through Chatham TVs on-demand archive.

Sewer Construction Update

February 17th-February 21st

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

Sewer work will continue on Ellis Street. Local traffic only, detour will be in place. Police detail(s) will be on-site and signage in place to assist residents.

Site work is planned to continue at the Oyster Pond Condominiums pumping station site (1233 Main Street).

Stage Harbor Road Sewer Extension Project

Site work is planned to continue at the pumping station site (Old Mill Boat Yard/Harbormasters Garage).

Mill Pond Pump Station

Sewer work is planned to continue on Mill Pond Road. Road closures are planned for Mill Pond Road and Homestead Lane, local traffic only. Police detail(s) will be on-site to assist motorists. Work associated with the Mill Pond Pumping Station will close access to the Town Landing.

AquiFund Loan Program Enters 3rd Year

Barnstable County’s AquiFund is entering its third year of providing accessible low-interest loans to Cape Codders who are repairing or replacing failed septic systems, upgrading to innovative/alternative (I/A) septic system technologies, or connecting to municipal sewers. 

At this time, septic system repairs, replacements, upgrades and I/A system installations are eligible for 4%¹ interest loans. 

An income-based interest rate system is available for homeowners being mandated to connect to town sewers. At this time, new sewer connections are eligible for 0% and 2% interest loans.

To be eligible for 0% and 2% betterment loans, applicants must meet the following additional criteria¹:

• New program applications only.
• Property must be a single-family, owner-occupied, year-round, primary residence.
• Property is not used as a place of business other than a home office.

If above 0% and 2% criteria are met:

Eligible homeowners with a household income of less than 120% of Barnstable County’s median household income can qualify for a 0%¹ interest betterment loan.

Eligible homeowners with a household income of between 120% and 180% of Barnstable County’s median household income can qualify for a 2%¹ interest rate betterment loan.

Eligible homeowners with a household income of greater than 180% of Barnstable County’s median household income can qualify for a 4%¹ interest rate betterment loan.

Rental and/or seasonal properties do not qualify for 0% or 2% betterment loans at this time, even if the property is being mandated to connect to municipal sewers. Rental and/or seasonal properties qualify for 4% interest rate betterment loans only.

Properties currently on the market qualify for a 5% interest rate betterment loan only. 

¹ Interest rates and eligibility criteria are subject to change without notice.

All AquiFund betterment loans are subject to the following terms and conditions:

• Available to residential properties only.
• Maximum 20-year repayment term
• 14% interest rate for accounts in arrears (behind on payments)
• Early repayment fees may apply.

If you have questions about interest rates or eligibility criteria, please contact Cape Cod AquiFund at (774) 330-3010.