American flag flying at half staff against a blue sky

Half Staff Notice

Please be advised that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset at all state buildings on Sunday, August 17, 2025, the day of interment, in honor of Senior Airman Jacob Foster-Cole, United States Air Force, of Norton MA, who passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1. The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls.

2. Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings.

3. All state military installations.

Brian Powers

Congratulations Abound at DPW

There has been a lot to celebrate at the Department of Public Works!

Brian Powers Retirement

Today, August 15th we are celebrating a long serving member of our Highway Division, Brian Powers, who is retiring after 20 years of service to the Town of Chatham.

The Department of Public Works hosted a retirement cook-out for Brian on Wednesday, August 13th, where he was presented with his own street sign, signed by his colleagues, and Town Manager Jill Goldsmith read a proclamation recognizing his dedication to, and pride in the Town and his work.

We are thrilled for Brian as he begins to write his next chapter.

Donny Richardson Promotion

Congratulations to Team Chatham’s own Donald Richardson on his promotion to Heavy Equipment Operator/Vehicle Mechanic in the Highway Division.

Donny previously served as a Laborer in our Parks, Grounds and Cemeteries Division. Before joining us, he worked as a mechanic for Robert Childs, Inc. and in various landscaping, construction, and mechanic capacities before that.

In addition to his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B Permit, forklift license, DOT OSHA 10 Lock Out certification, and snow and ice operations experience, Donny brings a professional passion for engine and machine repair to his new role.

Congratulations, Donny!

Man in Hi Vis shirt an ball cap smiling at the camera

Mark Welch

Mark Welch Joins the Team

And finally, we are pleased to announce that Mark Welch has become Team Chatham’s newest Laborer in the Highway Division.

Mark is a familiar face around town and has decades of experience as a landscaper, marine laborer, and equipment operator. He most recently worked for Ryder’s Cove Boat Yard as a fork lift operator and prior to that he owned his own landscaping business for over 20 years. He began working seasonally for the DPW as a snow plow operator last winter and was a part of Chatham Fire Department’s Call Division in the past.

Mark holds a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B Permit, a Massachusetts 2A & 1C Hoisting License, and a strong connection to our community as a graduate of Chatham High School.

Welcome to Team Chatham, Mark!

Fire Department Recognition Ceremony

The Fire-Rescue Department will host a recognition ceremony at their Headquarters, 135 Depot Road, on Monday, August 25th at 9 a.m. to present awards and citations to personnel in recognition of years of service, contributions to the community, performance, and extraordinary or meritorious actions.

The public is welcome to attend, and light refreshments will be provided at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Listing of volunteer opportunities on Town committees

Select Board seated at the dais in the large meeting room

Select Board Action – August 12th

The Select Board approved amendments to the Water Rules and Regulations Article VI.15.b.ii, to read as follows

ii. On or After January 1, 2020

For all irrigation systems that are noncompliant after this date, a written Warning to the property owner of record shall be sent prior to the imposition of any fines. Such letter shall set forth a requirement that the process for installation of a second meter, as prescribed by the water department, be commenced within thirty days from the date of the letter, and completed within ninety days following commencement of the process.

In the event that a property owner fails to comply with the foregoing requirements (either commencement of the process or installation of the meter) on or after August 13, 2025, a fine of Three Hundred dollars ($300) may be imposed for each day of non-compliance.

In addition to monetary fines, the Department, by and through the Select Board, may initiate suit in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the requirements of this regulation. Such suit may include, but not be limited to, a request for an immediate disconnection of any irrigation system.

Additionally, the Board implementing updated water rates for households with irrigation systems but without a separate irrigation meter to be billed based on an estimated usage split – 80% of total water consumption billed at the higher irrigation rate and 20% at the standard household rate.

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

Website Refresh Coming

The Town’s website is undergoing a design update. The refreshed new look will be live on September 2nd. The location of information on the website will remain the same.

From the Summer Residents Advisory Committee -

Thank you to all of the summer residents who came out to the annual Summer Town Meeting in person or remotely on Tuesday, August 12th. We hope that you learned more about what is happening around Town regarding issues that impact summer residents and the Town. Below is a QR code that will connect you to a resource page on the Summer Residents Advisory Committee homepage full of links to information that we think you’ll find beneficial.

Enjoy the rest of the summer!! See you at the 80th Summer Town Meeting next year!

View the 2025 Summer Town Meeting here!

QR Code linking to information and resources for Summer Residents

Scan or click above!

Notice to Chatham Taxpayers

The Chatham Board of Assessors has completed its comprehensive reassessment of all classes of property in the Town of Chatham in compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40 Section 56. Preliminary Fiscal Year 2026 valuations will be available for taxpayer review at the Chatham Town Office, 549 Main Street, during normal business hours as well as on our website at: https://www.chatham-ma.gov/158/Assessing. Navigate to Assessors’ Online Database.

The dates and times for this Public Disclosure period are listed on the website. You may also contact the Assessor’s Office by phone at (508) 945-5103.

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.

August 19

To consider a petition from NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) manhole 10239/010 and 97’ +/- of 2-4” conduit. This construction is necessary to provide new underground service to the customers located at 38 Sandy Shoes Lane.

September 2

To consider a request for increased sewer flow of 907.925 gallons per day (gpd) for the property located at 16 Seaquanset Road, West Chatham to accommodate a change in use to 256 sq. ft. of retail (12.80 gpd), and 50 fast food seats (1,000 gpd) for a total of 1012.80 gpd.

To consider a petition from Verizon New England, Inc. to install one (1) new pole numbered 22/5/5 fifty-five (55) feet Southeast of existing pole numbered 22/5 on Mill Pond Road and to install new conduit from the proposed pole numbered 22/5.5 Southeast along Mill Pond Road approximately one hundred-eight (180) feet to new Mill Pond Road pumping station project. This work is necessary to support permanent power for the Mill Pond Road pumping station project owned by the Town of Chatham.

September 16

To consider installation of two (2) rapid flashing beacons on Sam Ryder Road at the intersection of Sam Ryder Road and the Old Colony Rail Trail.

To consider a request for a new Seasonal All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant license for CCNY, LLC. d/b/a Pain d’Avignon, Mario Mariani, Manager. The owners are seeking this license in addition to the Annual Wine and Malt Only Beverages Restaurant license already in place at this location.

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

Scan or click above!

Community Climate Survey, Part 2 – Energy Use

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 their current and future energy use.

Your input will help shape Chatham’s climate action strategies and build a more resilient future.

Take the survey today - https://www.chatham-ma.gov/FormCenter/Boards-Committees-Forms-22/Chatham-Community-Climate-Survey-Part-2--101

Triva Time 1122 Parking tickets were issued in Town in July 2025

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.