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Municipal Academy Announced

The Town of Chatham is pleased to announce the launch of its 2025 Municipal Academy, a nine-session program designed to provide residents with a deeper understanding of how their local government operates. The Academy will run weekly on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., beginning September 3, 2025.

Open to a limited group of 12 participants, the Municipal Academy offers a unique opportunity for community members to engage with municipal staff, explore Town departments, and gain insight into the work being done across Chatham. Each session will focus on a different Department, highlighting its responsibilities, staffing, and current projects or initiatives. Sessions are held-in person at various municipal buildings.

“Chatham’s Municipal Academy is a great way for residents to learn more about the services and operations that support our Town,” said Town Manager Jill R. Goldsmith. “We hope this program will inspire greater civic engagement and foster stronger connections between the Town and our community members.”

The Academy is open to individuals 18 years and over who are interested in learning more about local government and becoming better informed on Town matters.

Additional information and application instructions are available on the Town’s website at https://www.chatham-ma.gov/1038/Municipal-Academy . Early application is encouraged due to limited space.

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Megan Green Joins Team Chatham

We are very pleased to welcome Megan Green to Team Chatham as our new Town Accountant.

Ms. Green comes to Chatham from the Town of Harwich, where she has served as Assistant Town Accountant, since being promoted to the role in 2023. Prior to her promotion, Megan was Executive Assistant at Brooks Free Library from 2014 until she joined the Finance Department as Assistant to the Finance Director in 2022.

She has completed the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) - Suffolk Municipal Finance Management Seminar, the Uniform Massachusetts Accounting System class (held through the Abrahams Group), Marcum LLP’s Governmental Accounting & Training Course and is a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Auditor’s & Accountants Association.

Welcome aboard Megan!

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Suzanne Martin Remembered

The Town offers sincere condolences to the family and friends of Suzanne Martin who passed away on July 9th.

Sue served our community as the Administrative Assistant in the Fire Department for 19 years, retiring in 2014. Those who had the privilege of working with her will remember her smile, wit, and kindness.

Originally from Worcester, Sue and her husband moved to Dennis in 1965 where they raised their family and were dedicated members of the community.

REMINDER: Water Rates Increased July 1st

The Select Board, acting as Water & Sewer Commissioners, approved increases to the Town’s water rates on Tuesday, June 24th. The new rates became effective July 1st.

The new rates come after years of discussion and review by the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee and will prevent the Water Fund from going into deficit. The Water Fund operates as a self-supporting entity, meaning that all costs associated with providing water services – including contract operations, maintenance, capital improvements, and debt service – must be covered by water rate revenues.

The Town is also cognizant of the importance of water conservation, particularly in times of drought. The Water Division offers these Handy Tips to Conserve Water that will help you lower your water usage and your water bill.

Benefit of a Separate Irrigation Meter

Do you use a lawn irrigation system connected to the Town’s water supply? If so, and you're also connected to the municipal sewer system, you could be paying unnecessary sewer fees for water that never enters the sewer!

Installing a second water meter on your irrigation system not only helps bring your property into compliance with the Town’s Water Regulations, but it also ensures you’re only billed for the water that actually goes into the sewer system.

Don’t pay more than you need to—apply for an irrigation meter today!

Water Conservation Restrictions Remain in PlaceAll non-essential outdoor water use shall be restricted to no more than two days per week. Watering by sprinkler or irrigation is allowed on customer assigned days only before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM. 

• Odd numbered addresses are assigned Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Even numbered addresses are assigned Wednesdays and Fridays.

Non-essential uses include:

• Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems

• Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety

• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks (except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or concrete).

Thank you for your continued compliance and help in protecting our resources and ensuring an adequate water supply this summer.

Free water testing of private wells available from Barnstable County

Gold Star-fish Employees

Town Manager Jill Goldsmith took a moment recently to recognize a few very special members of Team Chatham—individuals who go above and beyond, often without fanfare, to make a real difference. Some may be familiar with the story of the starfish. A young person is walking along a beach after a storm, where thousands of starfish have washed ashore. One by one, they gently toss them back into the ocean. An observer says, “Why are you doing this? There are too many. You can’t possibly make a difference.” The young person pauses, holds up a starfish, and replies, “I made a difference to this one.”

That story reminds us that even the smallest actions—when done with care, compassion, and consistency—can make a big impact.

These employees embody that spirit. They step in when no one’s looking. They solve problems. They care. Their work may not always make headlines, but it certainly makes a difference—one person, one project, one moment at a time. To honor them, each were presented with a gold starfish pin—a small but meaningful symbol of their dedication, the impact they’ve had, and the way they’ve made a difference here in Chatham.

Christopher Mazulis is in his first year with the Town as our Finance Administrator managing the Sticker Office, and he has already prompted members of the public and his co-workers to contact the Town Manager's office praising his efficiency and outstanding customer service during this busy time of the year.

Hunter MacDonald has been an asset to IT and all employees for a while now but the work he's have done in the past month has been especially notable – from the dreaded software updates to upgrading equipment across departments. He's taken on new tasks without hesitation and his commitment, patience, and initiative have really stood out.

And finally, Brian Powers from our Highway Division! Brian's love of and care for this Town is truly amazing. Every day, his attention to detail and the pride in his work are evident to both the community and his coworkers. Many look to him as the gold standard of public service. We thank Brian for his dedication over the past 20 years. Brian is retiring next month, and while we are happy for him, we will miss him very much.

a group of preschoolers seated on the floor of a classroom smiling at someone off camera

Dr. Florence Seldin Preschool Family Support Program

Now Accepting Applications for 2025-2026 School Year!

Have you heard about the Dr. Florence Seldin Preschool Family Support Program?

The Program provides up to $5,000 in pre-school tuition for 3 year olds and up to $10,000 in pre-school tuition for 4 year olds with enrolled pre-school providers. Payments are made directly to the providers on a monthly basis. Proof of Chatham residency is the only requirement for students to participate in the program.

If you know a family that would benefit from the Program, please encourage them to submit an application

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 during their regularly scheduled meetings on Tuesdays, beginning at 5:00 p.m., in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

July 22

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install two (2) handholes 291/HA2 and 291/HB2 and 35 feet plus or minus 1-3 inches conduit. The purpose of this construction is to provide new underground service to the customer located at 41 Lakeview Avenue.

To consider a request for a new entertainment license for indoor and outdoor live music for Hey Joe & Jam, 16 Seaquanset Road, Chatham, MA 02633.

August 5

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 50’ +/- 1-3” conduit and one (1) handhole 57/HA10 for new underground service to the customer located at 161 Old Queen Anne Road.

To consider placing two (2) temporary speed bumps on Kent Place during peak times, May through October, placed at the discretion of the Department of Public Works.

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

QR code to take the Community Climate Survey

Click or scan to take the survey!

Community Climate Survey Closing

Don't miss you last chance to take the Community Climate Survey! The Survey closes on July 20th!

The Town of Chatham’s Energy and Climate Action Committee (ECAC), in partnership with the Chatham Climate Action Network (CCAN), invites residents, business owners, and stakeholders to take a short survey on local climate impacts and possible solutions.

Your input will help shape Chatham’s climate action strategies and build a more resilient future. Scan or click on the QR code to take the survey now.

White feather quill drawing white waves on a blue background

The Bard is Back in Town

Cape Cod Shakespeare Festival in Chatham returns to Kate Gould Park for its 4th season on Monday, July 21st. This year’s offerings are the Taming of the Shrew and Othello.

Free performances begin at 7 p.m. and the plays alternate each day with Taming of the Shrew on Monday, July 21st; Wednesday, July 23rd; Sunday, July 27th; Tuesday, July 29th and Thursday, July 31st. Othello will be performed on Tuesday, July 22nd; Thursday, July 24th; Saturday, July 26th; Monday, July 28th; and Wednesday, July 30th.

Cape Cod Shakespeare Festival in Chatham is made possible by the support of business and community sponsors.

Next Select Board Meeting - July 22, 2025 @ 5:00 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. June 24, 2025

B. July 8, 2025

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Public Hearing

A. To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install two (2) handholes 291/HA2 and 291/HB2 and 35’ +/- 1-3” conduit to provide new underground service to customer located at 41 Lakeview Avenue

B. Consider New Annual Entertainment License for Hey Joe & Jam, 16 Seaquanset Road, West Chatham

IV. Chatham Wells, PFAS, and Drinking Water Testing and Pumping Update – June 2025

V. Public Comments on Business Agenda

VI. Business Agenda

A. Consider Special One-Day Alcohol License for a Benefit Party on August 8, 2025 from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm on Strong Island Chatham - The Chatham Conservation Foundation

B. Consider Special One-Day Entertainment License for Line Circus, July 28 – August 8, 2025 at 564 Main Street, Chatham

C. Discussion on Follow up to 2025 Annual Town Meeting Article 55 - Consider Implementation of MGL Ch. 60, Section 3D - Town Aid to Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund and Committee; Voluntary Check- off Donations (Public Comments will be accepted)

D. Consider Appointments/Reappointments

i. Constable

ii. Annual Appointment of Election Officials

iii. Parks and Recreation Commission Representative to the Community Preservation Commission

iv. Economic Development Advisory Committee

v. Historical Commission

E. Town Manager’s Monthly Report – June 2025

VII. Executive Session – MGL Ch. 30A, §21(6) – To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property (31 Meetinghouse Road, South Chatham) if the Chair declares that an Open Meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the body with NO RETURN to Open Session.

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!

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