CHATHAM – Five years ago, a golden retriever named Lazy Daze Sir Charles Barkley (known better as Chatham Charlie) became the “unofficial ambassador” of the town of Chatham. That status continued after his unexpected death last August from hemangiosarcoma cancer. “One day he was swimming at Cow Yard, and the next morning he passed away,” said Paul Litwin, one of Charlie’s owners. Charlie’s life will be cele...

CHATHAM – There's good news for folks who frequently drive along Route 28 through the West Chatham business district. The West Chatham Roadway Project is about to end for the summer. Work on revamping Route 28 (Main Street) between Barn Hill Road and George Ryder Road road is scheduled to end Friday, June 28, according to Public Works Director Tom Temple. “They're actually ahead of schedule at this point,” ...

CHATHAM – There will be lots of familiar faces as well as some newcomers marching down Main Street during next week's Independence Day parade. As of early this week, there were 90 entries in the parade, along with the 10 traditional groups that lead the parade, making for an even 100 groups participating in the annual event. Thousands are expected to line the route of the parade, which begins at 9:30 a.m. o...

CHATHAM – Rebuilding of the Eldredge trap dock in Stage Harbor is expected to begin in the fall and be completed by May. Last week the zoning board of appeals approved a variance and special permit for the $3 million-plus project. Final approval is pending from the Army Corps of Engineers, according to Coastal Resources Director Ted Keon; all other state and local permits have been approved. “It's badly in ...

Because Of Delays, New Observation Deck May Wait Until Fall CHATHAM — With angry fishermen struggling to offload their catch, and with crowds of sightseers looking in vain for a place to watch, town officials are voicing frustration with the contractor hired to replace the observation deck at the fish pier. While some of the delays are linked to this spring’s unusually wet weather, many are blaming genera...

CHATHAM — A Minister’s Point property owner whose land is threatened by erosion is keeping up the legal fight against dredging in Chatham Harbor. Essentially denying an earlier appeal by property owner Gerald Milden, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued a superseding order of conditions late last month that would have allowed dredging to go forward in an area inside the North Inlet...

CHATHAM — Pledging to bring a new senior center proposal to voters this fall, Selectmen Monday outlined a plan to find a better site for the building, even if it’s smaller than the Middle Road parcel rejected by town meeting last month. The town will issue a renewed request for proposals (RFP) from private property owners who would like to sell or potentially even lease land to the town on a long-term basis....

CHATHAM – A decision on allowing a food truck downtown during the summer Mondays on Main music nights was postponed this week. The board of selectmen are tentatively scheduled to take up the topic June 24, pending submission of followup paperwork by the Chatham Merchants Association, the event sponsor, specifically regarding the food truck location and a traffic and pedestrian safety plan. Selectmen last week ...

CHATHAM – The town is justly proud of its history and the historical assets that it has preserved. This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience special events and open houses at the town's museums and other sites during the annual History Weekend. Sponsored by Historic Chatham, a cooperative effort among the town's museums and non-profit historical and cultur...

CHATHAM – A request to demolish a historical house that was the subject of a 2013 documentary will go before the historical commission next month. “Starboard Light” is the name of the circa 1860 house at 154 Champlain Rd., as well as the title a film by Nick Fitzhugh, whose family owned the property for decades before selling it in 2010. The house was a gathering place for several generations of the Fitzhugh f...

CHATHAM – In reaction to the recent cutting of trees along town-owned land bordering the Seaside Links Golf Course, the board of selectmen is considering a strict policy punishing those who encroach on municipal property. Officials detailed a half dozen incidents where abutting property owners encroached on town land; four of them bordered the golf course, and two others involved land near town cemeteries. ...

CHATHAM – With the state ruling in the town's favor in a dispute over dredging in Chatham Harbor, officials are investigating expanding the footprint where dredging is allowed to include most of the northern section of the harbor in the expectation that the main navigation channel will be shifting over time. “Things are changing so quickly,” said Natural Resources Director Robert Duncanson. “North Beach Island...