WEST CHATHAM — With the controversial Route 28 reconstruction project set to begin, state officials are downplaying the likelihood of disruptions to local residents and business owners. But while the state’s contractor will not be working during the peak summer months, the same can’t be said for utility contractors. The project contractor, Falmouth-based Lawrence-Lynch Corp., provided the town with a work sc...

CHATHAM — Officials last week unveiled scaled-down plans for a new 10,200-square-foot senior center proposed for town-owned land off Middle Road. But before bringing the plan to town meeting, proponents want to make sure they’ve answered questions about the cost and the location. At a public meeting hosted by selectmen Saturday, architect Joel Bargmann of the Boston-based firm Bargmann Hendrie and Archetype ...

Summer Season May Be Possible, Says Principal  CHATHAM – The mystery of who is buying the Monomoy Theatre was solved Monday when a Morris Island Road homeowner announced that his company plans to purchase the Main Street property. Gregory T. Clark of Alexandra Properties in Newton Upper Falls, announced during the public forum segment of the board of selectmen's meeting that his company has an agreement wit...

CHATHAM – The town will file a new order of taking for seven Stage Neck roads after reaching agreement with several property owners who sued to invalidate a previous taking. Selectmen next week are expected to approve an article for the May 13 annual town meeting authorizing an order of taking for Battlefield Road, Cedar Street, Champlain Road, Port Fortune Lane, Sears Road, Stage Harbor Road and Stage Neck Ro...

CHATHAM – Most of the municipal fish pier will be closed to the public for the next few months as construction crews replace the facility's popular observation deck. Sciaba Construction Corporation was scheduled to begin staging equipment at the pier first thing Monday, but heavy snow at the company's headquarters in Walpole delayed its arrival. The company was expected to be on scene early in the week, but ex...

CHATHAM – After making some minor wording adjustments, the planning board last week endorsed a zoning bylaw that will allow the creation of accessory dwelling units – essentially apartments – within single-family homes. The measure now goes to the board of selectmen for placement on the warrant for the May 13 annual town meeting. Last Tuesday's public hearing on the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaw amend...

CHATHAM — Armed with firmer design figures, detailed cost estimates and a sharp pencil, a consultant now says the renovation of the town transfer station would likely cost $4.5 million, rather than the $7.5 to $8.5 million projected last year. The goal, said Mike Richard of Weston and Sampson, is to make the facility more user-friendly and efficient, to make vehicle traffic patterns less confusing, and to re...

CHATHAM – Selectmen last week declined to support proposed federal legislation to declare Nantucket Sound a National Historic Landmark. Chatham is the only Cape town bordering Nantucket Sound that has declined to endorse the legislation, which is being promoted by the Alliance To Protect Nantucket Sound. Some 50 towns, municipal agencies and nonprofit organizations signed on to a letter to Senators Edward Mark...

CHATHAM — For vessels over a certain draft, getting in and out of Chatham Harbor is now impossible except during the most favorable tides. While smaller boats can still pass freely, commercial fishing vessels and even Coast Guard rescue boats are increasingly unable to leave the harbor. Experts say the south inlet opposite Outermost Harbor is predominantly feeding Nantucket Sound through the so-called Foo...

Summer Season May Be Possible, Says Principal  CHATHAM – The mystery of who is buying the Monomoy Theatre was solved Monday when a Morris Island Road homeowner announced that his company plans to purchase the Main Street property. Gregory T. Clark of Alexandra Properties in Newton Upper Falls, announced during the public forum segment of the board of selectmen's meeting that his company has an agreement wit...

CHATHAM – All options are on the table when it comes to a shark barrier to protect Oyster Pond Beach. The town this week issued a request for proposals for a feasibility study of a barrier to protect swimmers at the beach, which is often used by families and children and is the location of town swimming lessons. The town has not ruled out any particular technology or form of barrier, according to Natural Resou...

CHATHAM – Swept up in the Marie Kondo craze? Got lots of stuff you need to get rid of and want to find a way to do so responsibly, following the reduce, reuse, recycle philosophy? Well, if some of that stuff falls into the category of books and media, bring it over to the annex to contribute to the annual Book and Media Swap. Now in its 10 th year, the free event will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 9 a.m. t...