Chatham Boards Meet Remotely, Report One Active COVID-19 Case in Town

CHATHAM -- March 30, 2020, Chatham's Board of Health and Board of Selectmen held a joint remote meeting Monday amid the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting one active case in town and 173 confirmed cases in Barnstable County. Director of Health and Natural Resources Robert Duncanson told the boards that 5,752 statewide cases and 56 deaths had been recorded as of March 30, and urged residents to "assume that the person standing near you may have COVID-19." Town Manager Jill Goldsmith reported critical-services staffing since March 24, with no public access to town offices and the transfer station remaining open. Officials voted unanimously to recommend keeping beaches and parks open while reserving the right to close confined spaces like the skate park if social distancing violations were reported. The Board of Health voted 6-0 to approve a septic variance for 18 Tap End Drive, allowing a property transfer without a system upgrade while requiring the structure to remain vacant and the water meter to be removed until demolition and reconstruction are complete.