WELLFLEET — Lifeguards routinely put themselves in harm's way to save people from drowning. But if a swimmer is attacked by a shark, should a lifeguard enter the water to try and help? “It's a tough one,” Orleans Natural Resources Manager Nate Sears said. Current protocols indicate that lifeguards should attempt a rescue as soon as the shark has left the area, “but who's to say when the shark has left the ar...

CHATHAM – The two candidates for selectman raised nearly the same amount of money in the weeks leading up to today's election, with Seth Taylor's total exceeding Shareen Davis' by less than $100. Taylor spent more money than Davis, however, by more than $2,500, according to campaign finance forms filed last week. Davis campaign treasurer Deborah Connor reported receipts of $9,774 between Jan. 1 and May 1. E...

CHATHAM – Voters at Monday's town meeting decided that being good neighbors – and having clean water – was more important than any shortfalls that might be contained in an inter-municipal wastewater treatment agreement with Harwich. By an overwhelming vote of 220 to 61, voters endorsed the inter-municipal agreement (IMA) that calls for up to 300,000 gallons per day of sewage from East Harwich to be treated ...

CHATHAM – The two candidates for selectman raised nearly the same amount of money in the week's leading up to today's election, with Seth Taylor's total exceeding Shareen Davis' by less than $100. Taylor spent more money Davis, however, by more than $2,500, according to campaign finance forms filed last week. SEE SETH TAYLOR'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE FORM HERE SEE SHAREEN DAVIS' CAMPAIGN FINANCE FORM HERE ...

CHATHAM – Discussions and compromises worked out over the past few months will likely avoid a number of potential controversies in next Monday's annual town meeting. That's not to say, however, that there won't be spirited discussion over some of the 40 articles on the warrant. Specifically, contention appears to be brewing over Article 38, which seeks approval for the selectmen to enter into an inter-municipa...

CHATHAM – The town's insurance won't cover damages being sought in a lawsuit by Skydive Cape Cod. In January, Skydive filed a lawsuit charging the town with breach of contract and civil rights violations for its failure to renew its contract to operate at Chatham Municipal Airport in 2013. The company is seeking $100,000 in damages. In an April 11 letter to the town, Stephen Hall, the attorney for Old Repub...

CHATHAM – A split school committee declined to send a letter to Monomoy Regional High School department heads apologizing for comments made at the group's March 23 meeting. The committee voted 3-2, with one member abstaining, not to send a letter apologizing for what the department heads, in a letter to the school committee, had said were violations of the committee's norms and protocols. The teachers said the...

In an unusual step, Monomoy school officials and local youth advocates are voicing concerns about “13 Reasons Why,” a series on Netflix that may be seen to romanticize teen suicide. Based on a 2007 young adult novel by Jay Asher, the video series follows a series of audio recordings a teen leaves behind for her classmates and peers explaining why she decided to kill herself. Last week, the Monomoy school distr...

Voters go to the polls on Thursday, May 11, to decide a two-person race for a single three-year term on the board of selectmen. Incumbent Seth Taylor and resident Shareen Davis have engaged in a lively campaign for the seat. In the lead-up to the election, we present profiles of the two candidates below, containing their responses to questions posed by The Chronicle. Running uncontested on the annual electi...

CHATHAM – Nominations are open for grand marshal for this year's Independence Day parade. Year-round summer residents who have made a significant contribution to the community, according to parade committee chairman Brad Schiff. Nominations can be made by emailing the committee at chathamparade@gmail.com, or visit its website, chathamparade.com. Registration forms for the parade are also available on the...

CHATHAM — Selectmen joined a handful of other town boards Tuesday in endorsing a local entrepreneur's pilot project to grow sugar kelp, a kind of native seaweed that can be eaten, used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, or converted into biofuel. Jamie Bassett told the board this week about his plans to grow the kelp in two test plots, one just inside the new break in Lighthouse Beach near Outermost Harbor,...

CHATHAM — Acknowledging that the town's water system could be stressed to its limits again this summer without more conservation, selectmen last week adopted a strict set of voluntary restrictions and new regulations that control nonessential water use. As of April 1, 2018, no new turf irrigation systems will be allowed to connect to the town water system if a suitable private well is available. Any existing...