CHATHAM  —  More than an open space purchase, the proposed acquisition of more than four acres of undeveloped land on the shore of Goose Pond is being described as a chance to freeze in time one of the town’s last unspoiled freshwater shorelines. With support from the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, the town’s Land Bank open space committee is recommending that town spend $1,275,000 to buy three adjoi...

CHATHAM  —  Growing up in South Chatham, Dorothy Bassett and her siblings used to play in the woods and swing down into a nearby pond to swim. When the land was suddenly cleared for house lots, Bassett felt a real sense of loss, a feeling that would eventually fuel her decision to study environmental science in college. Her goal was to return to her home town to work in land conservation – a goal she’s just achie...

CHATHAM  —  In a special meeting last Thursday, selectmen officially threw their support behind a plan to build a new senior center at a town-owned site on Middle Road.  Following a presentation by architect Joel Bargmann, the board voted unanimously to recommend passage of the town meeting article that would authorize the project, which is estimated to cost between $6.2 and $6.5 million. Responding to more...

CHATHAM – Crews began prep work for the West Chatham Roadway Project this week, and right in the middle of the section of Route 28 that's being upgraded, another crew was working on a different kind of upgrading project. A half dozen members of the Barnstable County AmeriCorps group were assisting town conservation staff in creating a meadow at the Captain George Harding Conservation Area, directly across the ...

CHATHAM – The lights are on at the historic Monomoy Point Lighthouse.  That may not sound like a big deal, but thanks to a new solar array, for the first time in its 170-year history, the light and keeper's house has electricity year-round. “For the first time ever, there's overhead lights, outlets in every room, and most importantly heat, which will keep it dry and reduce mold,” said Monomoy National Wildl...

CHATHAM — Calling it a new approach to create housing for year-round residents, selectmen this week threw their support behind a zoning bylaw amendment that allows the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the amendment, which will be put before voters at the May 13 annual town meeting. The bylaw is designed to allow no more than 20 property owners ...

CHATHAM – The number of new homes as well as additions and renovations to existing houses increased in 2018, but last year also saw a decrease in the number of demolition permits issued by the town. The estimated value of both new homes and additions and renovations also increased substantially last year. According to the community development department, 1,060 building permits were issued in 2018, a 16.6 p...

CHATHAM — As they do each April 1, a stalwart group of Chatham firefighters will lead a frigid swim in Nantucket Sound to raise money for a worthy cause. This year’s beneficiary is the family of Michele St. Aubin of Brewster, who is battling advanced pancreatic cancer. Hundreds are expected to attend the swim, which happens at Harding’s Beach at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 1. Donations of any amount will be a...

CHATHAM – While towns to the north look to upgrade cell phone coverage and install call boxes at beaches this summer in response to safety concerns in the wake of last year's fatal shark attack in Wellfleet, local safety officials say they are as ready as they can be for such an event and aren't planning any major initiatives despite the remoteness of the town's outer beaches. The most significant effort being...

Uncertainty Surrounds Future Of Historic Playhouse CHATHAM – The Monomoy Theatre stage will be dark this summer for the first time in more than 60 years. When the curtain will rise again at the historic Main Street theater is uncertain. Artistic Director Alan Rust said that the company that has an agreement to purchase the property plans to renovate and preserve the buildings, and that will take time. “W...

CHATHAM – Say goodbye to Sharks in the Park. Say hello to Art in the Park. The Chatham Merchants Association's wildly successful art exhibit featuring sharks bowed out last summer, ending its several-year run by raising more than $70,000, half of which went to the contributing artists and half to the association to support its activities. Even before sharks took a PR hit with two attacks last summer – one f...

ORLEANS — Brian Burke and his wife are empty-nesters. But thanks to Brian’s Little Brother from Harwich, he’s got somebody to help him build a new birdhouse. “I had him draw up some plans on a pad of paper,” Burke said with a chuckle. “The last one was about six feet tall and about four feet wide.” Burke has been a Big Brother to nine-year-old Nicolai for almost a year now, and loves the experience. ...