Christmas Stroll Weekend Is Here

The Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchant’s Association’s annual Christmas by the Sea weekend begins tonight Friday, December 12th and runs through Sunday, December 14th.

The celebration kicks off tonight at 5:30 p.m. with the children’s light parade down Main Street from the Community Center to Sears Park for the tree lighting ceremony. There will be a rolling road closure to Main Street to accommodate the parade and tree lighting from the Community Center to Cross Street.

Additional activities this evening include free horse and carriage rides and visits with Santa at his temporary workshop at the Information Booth.

Saturday features a mix of free and ticketed events for the whole family. Check out the Chamber’s website for the full schedule.

Enjoy the holiday decorations and weekend specials offered by local merchants on Sunday.

Kate Gould Park Tree Removal

The Norway Maple in Kate Gould Park which was the subject of a hearing held by Tree Warden Tom Barr on November 12th and determined to be in poor condition is scheduled to be removed on Tuesday, December 16th.

A Police detail will be in place to assist motorists during any disruptions to traffic flow necessary for the safe removal of the tree.

Select Board Action - Dec. 9th

The Select Board opened its meeting by approving a petition from NSTAR Electric dba Eversource Energy to install 47 feet +/- of 1” to 4” conduit and one new handhole on Bridge Street to provide service to 322 Bridge Street.

The Board approved the sale of goods on Town property for the sale of artist’s works during the Employee Art Showcase reception at the Center for Active Living, 193 Stony Hill Road, on Thursday, February 26th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the use of Town roads for the 45th Annual Chatham Harbor Run & Relay Race on Sunday, June 28, 2026 and the 9th Annual Chatham in the Fall 10K & Relay Race on Sunday, November 22, 2026.

Director of Public Works Rob Faley presented the monthly drinking water and pumping report for November. He said the wells have been pumping 4-7 hours per day. He provided an update on the construction progress on the water treatment plant for Wells 5 & 7. He reviewed the work to bring properties into compliance with the Town’s irrigation regulations and ongoing system maintenance. He said pumping for November 2025 was within 1% of the amount pumped in November 2024. He noted that ground water levels have begun to rebound but the State has recommended that the region remain in a Level 2 Drought Status.

Director of Public Works Rob Faley noted the vandalism at the restrooms at Veterans Field that closed them prematurely this year. He reviewed the work needed to repair the facility and bring it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He said the restrooms at Veterans Field have not typically been open for First Night as they are not insulated or heated. The Board discussed the benefits of keeping the restrooms open for First Night versus the costs of upgrading the facility for winter use. The Board agreed by consensus for the work to be done if funds could be identified or to have a stand-alone article prepared for 2026 Annual Town Meeting if funds were not available.

Natural Resource Director Greg Berman noted the status of the USCG Boathouse and the work needed prior to the facility’s return to Chatham. He said the Memorandum of Agreement for the Donation of the facility to the Town has expired and needs to be updated. The Board voted unanimously to affirm the donation and authorized an updated Memorandum of Agreement with the donor.

Director of Natural Resources Greg Berman noted the dynamics of Chatham’s coastline and reviewed changes to it over time including modeling projections. He introduced Coastal Resiliency Director Catherine Ricks who reviewed the areas that require regular dredging and the disposal sites for the dredge spoils. She noted the Town’s receipt of funding for dredging from State and Federal sources. She discussed the progress on the renewal of the Town’s comprehensive dredge permit. She requested the Board consider a letter of support of the State’s dredge funding as it has been suggested the State will no longer fund dredging after 2027. It was noted that the Cape Cod Commission had previously considered taking on dredge permitting for the region and it was suggested that this could be considered again. The Board voted unanimously in favor of submitting the letter with suggested edits.

Coastal Resiliency Director Catherine Ricks updated the Board on public access to waterways in Town. She discussed the Town’s efforts to stabilize and increase parking at Town landings and the efforts made to encourage compliance with the regulations to remove watercraft from Town landings by November 30th. Parking conflicts at Old Mill Boatyard by use of the landing and Stage Harbor Yacht Club activities were noted to have improved since the spring.

The Board approved closing Town offices and facilities at 12 noon on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and on Friday, December 26th at the suggestion of Select Board Clerk Stuart Smith.

The Board agreed by consensus to not hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 30th.

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

Wellness Weekly

The holidays bring families together, but they can also stir up tension and old conflicts. Navigating differences with patience, empathy, and clear communication can transform stressful moments into opportunities for connection.

Sharing practical ways to keep the peace, set healthy boundaries, and create a more harmonious, stress-free holiday season is our focus this week at https://lowercape.crediblemind.com/lists/stress-free-family-holidays-navigating-conflict.

Credible Mind is a free, confidential online resource focused on mental well-being.

CC Healthcare Blood Drive

A blood drive to benefit Cape Cod Healthcare (CCHC) will be held on Tuesday, December 23rd from 10:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Chatham Works, 323 Orleans Road, North Chatham.

All blood collected at CCHC drives help our families, friends, and neighbors. All donors to CCHC drives in December will receive a commemorative Holiday Hero long sleeved T-shirt.

To make an appointment for the blood drive on the 23rd, please visit CCHC’s Blood Donor Portal.

Donations can also be made at the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Blood Donor Center at Cape Cod Hospital. The Donor Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To make an appointment at the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Blood Donor Center, please call 508-862-5663.