Town of Chatham: Main Street Property

The Town of Chatham, located on the "elbow" of Cape Cod, is a quaint fishing village with many unique characteristics -- characteristics that the town and the people on the Land Bank Committee would like to preserve. Coleman Yeaw, a member of the Chatham Land Bank Committee, explains Chatham's position on land acquisition:

The Main Street property (pictured here) was on the real estate market for some time and did not receive much in the way of interest due to its high asking price. The property, which has some wetland issues, is not far from the bike path and abuts other town-owned properties. These attributes made this property stick out in the minds of those involved. Finally an agreement was reached between the Land Bank Committee and the property owner, and Chatham was able to make the purchase. The Main Street property became another gust of wind in Chatham's mainsail and the committee hopes for smooth sailing from here on in.

Mr. Yeaw explained: "There is a real feeling to keep Chatham, Chatham. Not to stop development, but to control it. The people of the town are concerned about preserving Chatham's character. Open space acquisition is one of the ways to maintain these desirable characteristics."

Mr. Yeaw went on to say, "It is important to make people aware of what you're trying to do and to work with landowners to let them know the benefits available to them through this program."