It's clear that the major driver of increased water use in Chatham over the past few years has been irrigation systems. They're much more commonplace today than they were even a half decade ago; it seems wherever there is new construction, an irrigation system is installed so the new owner can enjoy a beautiful verdant lawn. Which, by the way, is completely antithetical to Cape Cod; our soil does not naturally...

Election, Town Meeting Deadlines Letters relating to the annual town meeting and election in Harwich will be accepted for publication through the issue of April 26. Letters relating to Chatham's annual town meeting and election will be accepted for publication through the issue of May 3.   Who's Advising Selectmen On Airport? Editor: Four times in Superior Court, the Chatham Selectmen have tried ...

Out for a recent woodland walk, I sensed the burgeoning presence of pussy willows, spring peepers and brave lilies defying still-present snow flurries. All of these elements of nature are cyclical, their comings and goings orchestrated by an awesome, supernatural design. All are welcome. Unfortunately, there was also evidence of a most unwelcome evil force surrounding me. I suddenly found myself on what I...

Can't we all just get along? That phrase may be cliché now, but it perfectly sums up the ridiculous inability of officials from Chatham and Orleans to come to agreement over how to pay for North Beach patrols. The issue has become overly complicated; boiled down, Orleans wants Chatham to take over patrols of its one-mile stretch of beach, but doesn't want to give up any of the revenue from non-resident vehicle...

Fundraiser Livens Up The Landscape   Editor: What’s a great way to brighten March’s cold and dreary landscape? Spend an evening surrounded by the generosity of the Chatham year-round community! With remarkable support from more than 165 merchants, tradesmen, local businesses and volunteers, the 11th annual Tools of the Trade was a delightful night out and an incredible gift for the families of Monomoy Co...

“There is no ‘spring’ on Cape Cod! The weather just stays winter-like well into April or May – then suddenly it’s summer!” Many Harwich residents, washashores and “true Cape Codders” alike, annually repeat these sentences like a mantra: Their truth often remains unquestioned. However, after almost 12 years living here, I respectfully offer a different opinion: Spring not only exists here, but it may be the bes...

Look To Kennedy's Words Editor: Hear! Hear! to Anne Broderick for your “Trump Is A Real Leader” letter. Trump’s ideology of less big government interference does indeed help promote self sufficiency. Let so-called liberals look back to president Kennedy’s inauguration words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” as a point of inspiration if they have difficulty w...

We are fortunate. We live in a state that has strong gun laws and ranks first in the nation in terms of gun safety and death rate by guns. There hasn't been a mass shooting here since 2000, when seven people were killed at Edgewater Technology in Wakefield. One of the weapons used in that incident was a variant of an AK-47 assault rifle. In 2004, when the U.S. Congress allowed an assault weapons ban put in ...

For years local officials have been discussing imposing a tax on short-term rentals as a way to even the playing field between the summer rental of private homes and hotels and motels, which now must pay a state-imposed room tax. The rooms tax is currently 5.7 percent, and local towns can add up to 6 percent, though few charge up the limit. Chatham, for instance, currently applies a 4 percent tax to hotel and mot...

“It’s only a shanty In old shanty town The roof is so slanty it touches the ground That tumbled down shack by an old railroad track Like a millionaire’s mansion it’s calling me back.”   Ted Lewis and his band performed the song in 1932 in the movie “The Crooner.” It was a huge hit and became the number one song in the country and stayed there for 10 weeks. Many artists have recorded this great s...

Recalls Old Radar Station Editor: Your article on the expansion of the Union Cemetery at the former site of the Gap Filler SAGE radar installation, ESS Station Chatham, brought back memories of researching my 2007 novel, “Stepping Stones.” In the course of writing, I was able to contact some radar veterans who provided details and some photos of the Chatham site. The two buildings were very rudimentary, and...

The restoration of the South Harwich Meetinghouse is a perfect example of a public-private partnership coming together to benefit the community at large. The historic structure, built in 1836 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was in poor condition when the Friends of the South Harwich Meetinghouse stepped in to oversee its restoration. It's been a long process – 13 years – but finally, la...