Police Chief Mike Anderson and new Officer Kenton Frenking

Welcome Officer Frenking

Chatham’s newest Police Officer, Kenton Frenking, was sworn in at the Town Offices on Friday, April 4th. He will begin attending the Massachusetts Police Training Academy on Monday, April 7th.

A former National Guardsman and Platoon Leader and Assistant Operations Officer in the United States Army, Mr. Frenking holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Intelligence and Homeland Security and Pre-law with a concentration in Political Science. He has most recently been a District Court Intern in Falmouth.

Please join us in welcoming him as the newest member of the Chatham Police Department!

Chatham Police Department Autism Awareness patch

April is Autism Acceptance Month

The Chatham Police Department is offering “Blue Envelopes” to members of the public to help drivers and community members on the Autism spectrum.

The Blue Envelope Program represents a collaborative effort aimed at fostering a safer and more understanding environment for drivers with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops.

The core idea of the Blue Envelope is straightforward yet impactful. It involves a specially designed envelope that holds a driver's essential documents—license, registration, and a contact card. However, its significance goes beyond just a storage solution. The envelope features critical communication guidelines on its exterior, specifically tailored to assist law enforcement officers in recognizing and adapting their approach when interacting with a driver who has autism.

Blue Envelopes are available for pick-up at the Chatham Police Station, 249 George Ryder Road.

Phragmites and beach grass on Oyster Pond Beach

Oyster Pond Beach Reclamation

The Parks and Grounds Division began work at Oyster Pond beach on April 2nd to re-establish open beach area by removing phragmites and transplanting beach grass. Two benches that are on-site but have been buried in sand will be excavated. Sand will be added to the beach.

Conservation Agent Paul Wightman, in conjunction with the Recreation and Beaches Division, developed this plan, and it was approved by the Conservation Commission at its March 26th meeting.

Backlit picture of people jumping into the ocean

Fools Plunge Sunday, April 6th

Since 2008, members of the Chatham Fire Department have taken part in an April Fools’ Day “plunge” at one of our local beaches to raise funds for a family or individual. This year, they will swim for the Hubbard Family - John, Jack, Shannon, and Maggie.

On October 13, 2024, while the Hubbard's were vacationing at a rental home in Clinton, New York, a fire broke out in the home. Tragically, Shannon and their one year old daughter Maggie lost their lives as a result. Shannon was a beloved educator in the Monomoy School District, most recently working at the Chatham Elementary School. John Hubbard, a Dennis Police Patrolman, and their 3-year-old son Jack survived the fire.

Please join the April Fools of Chatham Fire for an icy plunge into Nantucket Sound and consider making a donation to support the Hubbard Family during this challenging time.. Swimmers and spectators are welcome. There is no better way to slam the door on the winter season than to take your first refreshing dip of the year!

Please join our Fools on Sunday, April 6th at 1:00 pm at Harding’s Beach. Donations of all amounts are graciously accepted. T-shirts will be available for $25 prior to the event (at the Chatham Fire Department) and any remaining will be sold at the swim. A free post-swim BBQ will be held at the Chatham VFW immediately following the swim.

If you would like to donate but are not able to attend, you can do so via GoFundMe "April Fools Plunge for Hubbard Family" at https://gofund.me/cd9fa7c9 . If you prefer to donate via cash or check, donations will also be collected at the swim, or they may be sent to: April Fools, Chatham Fire Department, 135 Depot Rd., Chatham, MA.

Select Board and Town Manager seated at the dais in the large meeting room

Select Board Action - April 1st

The Select Board’s April 1st meeting began with a public hearing in which Eversource Electric withdrew its petition to install 41’ +/- of PVC conduit below Cross Street. The project will be re-designed to provide above ground service.

The Select Board approved the use of Town roads for the 7th Annual Walk for Home on June 21st beginning at 9 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Homeless Prevention Council and will begin at St. Christopher’s Church, proceed to the lighthouse, loop through the Old Village and return to St. Christopher’s.

The application for a Special One Day Wine & Malt Beverages permit for the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance for “Meet the Fleet” event on April 16th from 5-7 p.m. was approved.

Director Alice Rice of the Cape Cod AquiFund gave a presentation of the availably of low-interest betterment loans for property owners in Barnstable County for costs related to septic system repairs, septic system upgrades, I/A system installations, and Town sewer connections.

The Select Board conducted its annual review of the Nauset Beach Agreement with the Town of Orleans and approved its renewal with minor amendments.

A discussion of the charge for the Economic Development Committee begun in the Select Board’s annual review of committees on December 5, 2024 continued with no action.

The Select Board discussed the process they will engage in to consider re-appointments of Board, Commission, and Committee members whose terms are expiring on June 30th. The Board will follow the same process as in previous years.

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

April Sticker Office Hours

The Sticker Office is now open to purchase 2025-2026 Beach, Transfer Station, Combination, Recycling and North Beach Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) stickers, and recreational/family shellfish permits! April hours are Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Skip the line, pay online! Beach and Transfer Station stickers are also available for purchase online at https://epay.cityhallsystems.com/ - just type in Chatham, MA and you will be on your way!

Remember 2024-2025 Beach and Transfer Station stickers are valid thru June 30, 2025 and recreational/family shellfish permits expire May 31, 2025.

Lunch & Learn in script with a fork horizontally above

Lunch & Learn with the Health Dept.

Join Health Agent Judy Giorgio for a special presentation on the Community Needs Assessment at the Center for Active Living on Friday, April 11th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Gain insight into key health priorities and challenges in our community and learn how we call all contribute to positive change.

Lunch will be provided by Cape Cod Coffee at Chatham Perk. Registration is required and participation is limited to 25. Call 508-945-5190 or stop by the CFAL to sign-up.

Nordic Walking Series begins May 1st contact VNA of Cape Cod to register

Save the Date - Public Safety Seminar

Mark May 29th on your calendar for the Town’s Public Safety Seminar!

This joint offering by the Chatham Police Department, Chatham Fire Department, and Center for Active Living will be held at the Community Center, 702 Main Street, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. will cover topics ranging from recognizing and avoiding scams, to community resources for healthy aging, to fall and fire safety.

Lunch will be provided. Call 508-945-5190 to register today!

Town seal with the silhouette of a speaker at a podium in the center

Upcoming Public Hearings

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

April 8

To consider the installation of permanent High Water Warning Signage on Morris Island Road as recommended by the Traffic Safety Committee. Signs would have a unique hinge design that would allow them to open and close when needed.

April 15

To consider the transfer of the Annual All Alcoholic Beverages package store license from Eric Paone Sr. d/b/a Chatham Light Liquors, Eric Paone, Sr., Manager to Portside Liquors Chatham Inc. d/b/a Portside Liquors, George Metri, Manager, for the business located at 303 Orleans Road, North Chatham.

All interested parties are encouraged to attend in-person or through the link in the posted agenda.

Sewer Construction Update

Work for the week of April 7th – April 11th:

Oyster Pond Sewer Extension Project

Continued site work is planned at the Oyster Pond Condominiums (OPC) pumping station site (1233 Main Street).

Pavement preparation and paving is planned for the Pond View neighborhood. Local traffic only. Police details and signage will be in place to assist residents.

Stage Harbor Sewer Extension Project

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

Mill Pond Pump Station

Sewer work is planned on Mill Pond Road. Road closures are planned for Mill Pond Road and Homestead Lane, local traffic only. Work associated with the Mill Pond Pumping Station will close access to the Town Landing.

Chatham Conservation Foundations Earth Week Events

Click above for more information on Earth Week!

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

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