Sticker Office Hours & Online Portal

In a sure sign that Spring is on the way, sticker sales will return to the lower level of the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road, on Tuesday, March 3rd. Hours of operation in March are Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Not looking forward to waiting in line for a sticker? You don’t have to! Skip the line, order online!

The Town has partnered with Town Hall 24/7 to provide a new online portal for ordering and paying for permits and stickers. Online sales begin on March 3rd. Once ordered, you may choose to have your permit or sticker mailed to you or picked up in person.

Residents and non-residents can securely place an order by entering their name and Chatham address or by providing non-resident information. This system offers a convenient way to purchase stickers and permits online. Resident OSV permits (beginning May 5th) and Family Shellfish Permits will now also be available through the portal.

Residents are strongly encouraged to use the online system. Mail-in options remain available. If mailing your application, please complete the appropriate form and follow the instructions provided.

2026-2027 Beach and Transfer Station stickers and Shellfish permits will be available for in-person sales at the Annex beginning Wednesday, April 1st. Resident Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) will be available beginning Tuesday, May 5th in-person and through the online portal.

Questions? Check out the FAQ’s on the Sticker Office webpage, contact the Sticker office in March on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 508-945-5180, or email stickeroffice@chatham-ma.gov.

Man in high visibility gear wearing a gray ball cap seated and smiling

Welcome Aboard!

Town Manager Jill R. Goldsmith has appointed Lee Brigham as Chatham’s newest Heavy Equipment Operator in the Highway Division of the Department of Public Works (DPW), reporting to Director of Public Works, Rob Faley. Lee began his employment on Tuesday, February 17th.

Lee has many years of experience as an oil delivery driver for The Fuel Company in Falmouth in addition to 8 years spent with the Town of Dennis DPW where he worked as a heavy equipment driver, cemetery division team lead, and sign maker. Lee holds his CDL Class B license and is in the process of renewing his Hoisting License.

We are excited to welcome Lee to Team Chatham, and to announce that, with Lee's appointment, the DPW is now fully staffed!

Rendering of proposed homeownership housing on Stepping Stones Road

Stepping Stones Road Homeownership Update

On February 10th the Select Board affirmed Town Manager Jill R. Goldsmith’s award of development rights for the Town-owned property on Stepping Stones Road to Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) for a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom homes for ownership. The award was based on the recommendation of the Housing Proposal Evaluation team on the proposal HAC submitted in response to a Request for Proposals issued by the Town.

The Town and HAC will now negotiate a Land Disposition Agreement, which sets out the specific terms of the transaction including the responsibilities of both parties and any conditions that must be met.

2026 Annual Town Meeting will consider an article to appropriate up to $2.1 M from the Attainable Housing Fund, which was established by vote of Town in 2022 meeting (Article 28). The Attainable Housing Fund is a Special Revenue Fund which receives 1% of the local Room Occupancy Tax. This appropriation will have no impact on the tax rate as the funds are available.

HAC will continue with site plan development throughout the spring and summer of 2026 with a target of October 2026 for submitting a Comprehensive Permit (40B) application to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Print of Dogs of Chatham hanging on a wall

Employee Art Showcase Artist Reception

Chatham’s Employee Engagement and Recognition Committee invites community members to attend the 2nd Annual Employee Art Showcase Artist Reception on Thursday, February 26th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Center for Active Living, 193 Stony Hill Road. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments, and purchase any of the pieces available for sale.

The works of six Team Chatham members are on display throughout the CFAL. If you are unable to attend the reception you can tour the installation during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday., through the 26th.

Select Board seated at the dais in the large meeting room

Select Board Meeting – February 17th

The Select Board accepted the donation of a memorial bench at Seaside Links Golf Course and the donation of an evergreen tree at the Municipal Fish Pier. The Board approved sales of goods on Town property for a fundraiser to benefit the families of the Fishing Vessel (F/V) Lilly Jean on February 26th at the Community Center.

The Select Board discussed the Town Manager’s Administrative Order No. 6 filing to re-establish the Assistant Town Manager position and the appointment of the current Director of Community Development to serve in the role concurrently with present Department Head duties. The Board voted 2-3 to delay implementation pending further study. The Administrative Order will become effective on March 6, 2026.

Finance Committee Vice Chairman Andrew Young reviewed the Committee’s preliminary FY2027 budget recommendations. The Select Board thanked the Finance Committee for their input and discussed the recommendations.

The Select Board voted to place and recommend an article to fix elected officials salaries at $1500 for the Moderator, $6000 per Select Board member, and $1500 additional for the Select Board Chair.

Director of Community Services Leah LaCross reviewed the proposed FY2027 budget for the Department of Community Services including the Council on Aging and the Human Service grant funding budget. Deputy Director of Recreation and Beaches Aimee Howell reviewed the Division’s proposed budget.

The Board voted to place and recommend an article to fund the Town’s Childcare Voucher program at $200,000 on the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant.

Energy and Climate Action Committee Chair Bob Wirtshafter reviewed reported damage to selected solar powered homes due to an alleged power grid event that occurred on August 19 – 20, 2025. He asked the Board to consider asking Eversource to respond to the residents’ questions regarding the event. He asked the Board to request Eversource technical representatives meet and discuss the issue with either the Select Board or the Energy and Climate Action Committee on the matter.

Jeffrey Vanacore, an affected property owner, noted that Enphase inverters failed in the affected solar systems, but that other appliances and systems were damaged as well. He said that Enphase and Eversource both denied that their operations or equipment were to blame. He asked the Board to invite Eversource to appear before the Energy and Climate Action Committee to explain what happened. The Board voted to send a letter to Eversource requesting the meeting.

The Board voted to place and recommend several articles on the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant.

Housing and Sustainability Director Gloria McPherson reviewed the Lease-to-Locals programs offered by local municipalities. She noted the similarities and differences between programs. She said the purpose of a “lease to locals” program is to convert short-term rental properties, or units that are not currently rented, into to year-round rental opportunities. She said the towns subsidize rent to make it financially feasible for property owners to participate. The Board voted to endorse the creation of a program for Chatham and tasked staff with drafting a funding article for 2026 Annual Town Meeting.

Director McPherson reviewed the Chatham Homeownership Opportunity Program (CHOP) house deed restriction program that was implemented in Town in the 1980’s on 32 properties and the fact that the deed restrictions on properties remaining in the program will soon expire. She said a consultant evaluated what it would cost the Town to pay remaining CHOP house owners to place deed restrictions on their properties in perpetuity as an incentive to keep the properties affordable and the cost would be prohibitive. The Board voted to conduct a survey of property owners to determine potential interest in participating in a deed restriction program.

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

Notice of Master Gardeners spring symposium on March 21contact gardeners@capecod.gov for more information

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.

February 24, 2026

To consider an application to change the DBA of Uncle Tony’s LLC from d/b/a Knot’s Landing Bar & Grill to d/b/a TK’s Sports Bar for the business located at 1077 Main Street, Chatham.

March 3, 2026

To consider increases to the current list of Town of Chatham Transfer Station fees as follows:

9-11 bags of garbage, increase from $15 to $20
Commercial Garbage, increase from $90/T to $150/T
Commercial Single Stream Recycling, increase from $110/T to $145/T
Chair (upholstered), increase from $5/ea. to $15/ea.
Demolition/Construction Debris, increase from $190/T to $225/T
Mattresses & Box Springs, increase from $30/ea. to $50/ea.
Sofa, increase from $15/ea. to $30/ea.
Large / Truck Tires, increase from $15/ea. to $20/ea.
Fire Extinguishers, increase from $2/ea. to $6/ea.

And to consider establishing a new category of Transfer Station Fees:

Crib Mattresses, establish this item and charge $10/ea.

March 10, 2026

To consider a request from the Animal Control Officer, Diane Byers, pursuant to Town Bylaws Chapter 115, section 6(f) regarding complaints of a nuisance dog at 33 Victoria Drive and to discuss livestock compensation per Town Bylaws Chapter 115, section 6(j).

To consider a petition from Verizon New England, Inc. to install stub pole numbered P1S approximately 28 (twenty-eight) feet north of pole P1 and approximately 145 (one hundred forty-five) feet southwest of pole P18 on Morris Island Road to be located at the property address of 87 Morris Island Road. This work is necessary to support a heavily leaning pole P1 due to a large transformer bank. The new stub pole installation of P1S is to support the leaning pole as well as straightening pole P1.

To consider a petition from Verizon New England, Inc. to install one (1) new pole numbered 22/5/5 thirty six (36) feet east of existing pole numbered 22/5 and eighty (80) feet west of existing pole numbered 22/6 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.

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

Parenting in a white cloud in a blue sky

Wellness Weekly

Wellness Weekly is a series highlighting resources that support your mental well-being. This week, the focus is on parenting.

There are many resources for both new and experienced parents to help you navigate the joys and challenges of parenting. Explore them at https://lowercape.crediblemind.com/topics/parenting to gain a better understanding of how to set boundaries, increase connection, and enjoy a long-term fulfilling relationship with your children.

Lower Cape CredibleMind is a free, confidential resource that supports wellbeing.

Game Day Fundraiser

Join fellow gamers for an afternoon of play at a “Game Day” Fundraiser in support of the families of the F/V Lily Jean at the Community Center, 702 Main Street, on Thursday, February 26th from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Participants can sign up as a team or as an individual and should bring their own game sets – chess, checkers, mahjong, etc. Entry fee is $20 per person and preregistration is strongly encouraged. Contact Vangie Collins via email or call 603-321-2260 to sign up.

There will also be a silent auction of gift baskets & certificates, artwork, and many other items. Cash, check, credit cards & Venmo will be accepted.

All proceeds will benefit the families of the F/V Lily Jean’s Captain, 5 crew members, and the NOAA Fisheries Observer who perished when the vessel sank off the coast of Gloucester on January 30th.

Little Lanes Initiative

A group of Lower Cape citizens have been working with local builders to determine if “missing middle” homes, which are affordable for middle-income buyers, can be profitably built without public funding or government subsidies.

To aid this work, they have developed an anonymous survey to gather data to inform builders and financiers about the market for these homes.

The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. If you would be interested in buying an attainable 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom home on Cape please take the survey!

Icons of social media platforms and the related addresses of Town of Chatham accounts

Next Select Board Meeting - February 24, 2026 @ 5:30 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. February 10, 2026

II. Public Announcements and Agenda Item Requests

III. Public Hearing

A. To consider an application to change the DBA for Uncle Tony’s LLC from d/b/a Knot’s Landing Bar & Grill to d/b/a TK’s Sports Bar for the business located at 1077 Main Street, Chatham

IV. Consent Agenda

V. Public Comments on Business Agenda

VI. Business Agenda

A. Consider Re-Issuing 2026 Annual Entertainment License to Uncle Tony’s LLC

B. Consider Special One-Day Alcohol License; St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on March 14, 2026 at Holy Redeemer Church Hall, 57 Highland Ave., Chatham

C. Consider Monomoy Community Services Requests

i. Special One-Day Alcohol License; Bingo Bash on March 21, 2026 at Three Fins Coffee Roasters, 251 Crowell Road, Chatham

ii. Use of Town Property; Permission to Possess and Consume Alcohol on Town Property; Special One-Day Alcohol License; Special One-Day Entertainment License; Back2Summer ’26 on July 3, 2026 at Chatham Municipal Airport, 240 George Ryder Road

D. Consider Committee Appointments

i. Historical Commission

ii. South Coastal Harbor Plan Committee

E. FY2027 Budget Review

i. Cape Cod Regional Technical High School

ii. Monomoy Regional School District

F. Annual Town Meeting 2026 Article Review

i. Monomoy Regional Middle School Roof Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Project Budget and Debt Vote

ii. Monomoy Regional School District PEG Access & Cable Related Funds

iii. Community Preservation Article Recommendations

1. Community Preservation Committee Administrative Budget

2. Community Preservation Act – Fund Appropriations (10% Reserve Fund)

3. Community Preservation Act – Affordable Housing Trust; Stepping Stones Road

4. Community Preservation Act

a. Assistance Resource Center (ARC)

b. Lower Cape Housing Initiative

c. 0 Meetinghouse Road Affordable Housing

d. 1533 Main Street Affordable Housing

5. Community Preservation Act – Historic

a. Exterior Restoration of Historic Harbormasters Building

b. Marconi Lattice Towers Preservation & Restoration Structural Repairs

c. People’s Cemetery Restoration

d. Mack Monument Restoration

6. Community Preservation Act – Open Space & Recreation

a. Chatham Beach Signs

b. Frost Fish Creek Restoration & Revitalization

c. Mill Pond Overlook Accessibility Trail

d. Restore the Legacy of Kate Gould Park

G. FY2027 Budget Review; Select Board Recommendations on the Town Manager’s FY2027 Operating and Capital Budgets and Transmittal of the FY2027 Operating and Capital Budgets to the Finance Committee

i. Place and Vote Recommendations for FY2027 Operating and Capital Budget Articles [By March 1, 2026 – Chatham Bylaw Ch. 15 and Charter §§6-1 and 6-4]

H. Town Manager’s Monthly Report – January 2026

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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