CHATHAM — Critics of the West Chatham Route 28 reconstruction plan say they believe the project will take much longer than advertised to complete, impacting local businesses and traffic through 2021 or later. The board of selectmen is repeating its request to have MassDOT officials come to town to clarify the project time frame. In May, responding to a request by project opponent David Burns, selectmen as...

CHATHAM – The zoning board of appeals has cleared the way for an iconic windmill to be moved to a new home. The structure, which stood along Chatham Harbor since the early 1930s, will be relocated about 175 yards to the south on property owned by the great niece of the original builder. Declared an historically significant structure by the historical commission, the windmill – which was built as a summer co...

CHATHAM – The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources approved legislation last Wednesday to restore the western boundary of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge to mean low tide. In last year's comprehensive conservation plan for Monomoy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared as the western boundary an administrative line in Nantucket Sound that essentially added nearly 4,000 acres ...

CHATHAM — Addressing concerns that the deteriorating observation deck at the fish pier might collapse under the weight of summer visitors, selectmen Tuesday approved a conceptual plan to rebuild the structure with one that is stronger, more durable, and handicap-accessible. The plan, prepared by Marion-based CLE Engineering, calls for a $1.2 million deck that is self-supporting, rather than supported by the ...

CHATHAM — Thanks to the generosity of complete strangers, 14 needy families will soon be enjoying a holiday feast, delivered by a trio of Chatham firefighters. Firefighter Scott Long said he was approached by a year-round Chatham family interested in helping out some neighbors. “They had an idea about delivering meals for the less fortunate for Christmas,” Long said. Initially, the family planned to do th...

CHATHAM – A Federal Aviation Administration skydiving safety risk assessment released Tuesday concludes that with some minor mitigation efforts, Chatham Municipal Airport is safe for skydiving. The four-page report dated Dec. 18 comes at a time when the town is engaged in two lawsuits over skydiving at the airport. Based on the report's findings, selectmen said in a statement issued Tuesday that it was tim...

CHATHAM — At just seven years of age, having battled a rare form of cancer since he was four, Jesse Nash has earned his badge of courage. And Sunday, surrounded by friends, parents and members of the Chatham Fire Department, he literally received that badge, becoming the department’s honorary chief. “When people think of firefighters, they think of strength, bravery and courage,” Fire Chief Peter Connick...

CHATHAM – A Federal Aviation Administration skydiving safety risk assessment released Tuesday concludes that with some minor mitigation efforts, Chatham Municipal Airport is safe for skydiving. The four-page report dated Dec. 18 comes at a time when the town is engaged in two ongoing lawsuits over skydiving at the airport. In a statement, selectmen said it was time to “close the book on the debate regarding th...

CHATHAM – The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources approved legislation Wednesday to restore the western boundary of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge to mean low tide. In last year's comprehensive conservation plan for Monomoy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared as the western boundary an administrative line in Nantucket Sound that essentially added nearly 4,000 acres of wa...

CHATHAM — A well-known resident and longtime fixture at the Chatham Senior Center, Nancy Olson died Saturday, several days after she suffered accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in her home. Mrs. Olson’s death is renewing calls for seniors to take advantage of various programs designed to help elders live at home safely. “This is a terrible tragedy and it’s shocking, and it hits close to home for people,” C...

CHATHAM – Letters have gone out to Stage Harbor Road property owners to gauge support for declaring the neighborhood a National Historic Register District. The straw poll was sent Dec. 4 to 47 property owners within the proposed district, which would run from Cross Street to Bridge Street. The approximately 29-acre area includes 34 structures determined to contribute to a potential National Register District, ...

CHATHAM – Until about 15 years ago, the Friends of the Eldredge Library held an annual book sale, usually in July, on the front lawn of the historic Main Street building. Books would be stored all year long in the attic, recalls Library Director Irene Gillies. To get the books to the sale area, a “bucket brigade” of volunteers hefted heavy boxes from the third floor storage area and sent them down a slide to grou...