By: Alan Pollock
While the upward climb of COVID-19 cases continues unabated, Barnstable County officials are bringing more resources to bear on the pandemic, thanks to a boost from lawmakers. Your Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine, Answered Under legislation filed by State Rep. Sarah Peake, D–Provincetown, and State Senator Julian Cyr, D–Truro, the state has absorbed the annual pension liability for retired...
By: Tim Wood
CHATHAM – For some, the prospect of closing Chatham Elementary School is giving up on the town as a vibrant, diverse, year-round community. “If we lose our elementary school, the opportunity for a future where we can attract families and gain ground on making Chatham an affordable place to live that's diverse loses ground,” said Brett Tolley. Tolley served on the now-disbanded Chatham 365 Task Force, which ...
By: Alan Pollock
CHATHAM — A panel of engineers and project leaders working on the West Chatham Route 28 roadway redesign project took questions from the select board and the public last week. While the project is not yet complete, it is likely too late for any significant design changes, they said. A number of people spoke at last week’s meeting to express support for the new design, which slows traffic using roundabouts at...
CHATHAM — In a sometimes-testy three-hour meeting last week, the airport commission overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to create a citizens’ advisory committee to help guide the airport master plan update, vowing to continue to move ahead with the planning process. In a prepared opening statement, commission Chairman Huntley Harrison pointed out that the update of the plan has been a daunting task, but that ...
CHATHAM – The conservation is considering hiring an outside consultant to provide advice on a proposal to redevelop land along Pleasant Bay that lies completely within the flood zone. The property also happens to be the location of what many consider the oldest house in town. The proposal would alter the land by bringing in more than 6,000 yards of fill to raise the elevation from seven to 12 feet, which would...
CHATHAM – Traditions die hard here, but after more than 300 years, the town's chief policy making body will no longer be known as the board of selectmen. Last Wednesday, special legislation signed by Gov. Charlie Baker officially changed the group's name to the Chatham Select Board. Town meeting passed a resolution to change the title in May 2019. The citizen's petition that brought abut the change was file...
Health Board To Meet In Emergency Session CHATHAM — The emergence of a cluster of four COVID-19 cases at the North Chatham Post Office has some people concerned not only about the spread of the disease but about how the cases apparently almost passed under the radar of public health officials. In a news release issued Saturday and an automated phone call to residents Tuesday, town officials urged anyone w...
CHATHAM — There’s no silver bullet to solve the housing shortage in town, but selectmen this week advanced several initiatives that might prove important, including a potential half-percent real estate transfer tax for properties over $2 million. The concept was floated by Selectman Jeffrey Dykens, who said it would provide a sustainable revenue stream for affordable and attainable housing projects. Had the ma...
By: Tim Wood
CHATHAM – Last Friday, the historic Stage Harbor Coast Guard boathouse was moved off the shore in Hull, where it was scheduled for demolition, and is now safely ensconced at a Quincy shipyard. At least for the time being. Even though selectmen last week declined to commit to accepting the boathouse as a gift to the town, resident David Doherty went ahead and, working with contractor Jay Cashman, had the struct...
By: Tim Wood
No Guarantee Theater Will Return CHATHAM – A proposal to build six single-family homes on the former Monomoy Theatre property will likely clear the way for demolition of five of the seven buildings now on the land. But while owner Greg Clark of Chatham Productions, LLC, plans to restore the theater building and a historic home on the property, because of the uncertainty tied to the pandemic he could not to ...
CHATHAM – Expect a larger than usual number of community preservation grant articles on this year's annual town meeting warrant, as requests postponed last year will be joined by new funding applications. A dozen requests for Community Preservation Act funds were not acted on last year after selectmen slimmed down the annual town meeting warrant. Those measures will be presented to voters at this year's annual...
By: Alan Pollock
CHATHAM - Officials are investigating a cluster of COVID-19 cases among staff at the North Chatham Post Office and are urging anyone who has visited that location since Dec. 28 to watch for symptoms, speak with their doctor, and consider getting tested. On Saturday, town health officials were contacted by the Occupational Health Nurse Administrator for the New England Region of the Postal Service and learned t...
