CHATHAM – Surprises keep popping up during the renovation and restoration of the foundation of the Atwood House. The most recent discovery by Antique Buildings Specialist David Ottinger was a long, wide swath of 200-year-old wallpaper in very good condition for its age, according to museum officials. “As he was inspecting the parlor, he pulled back a section of wainscoting and there it was,” said Danielle J...

CHATHAM – The town has put out a solicitation for private land that might serve as a location for a new senior center. A request for proposals seeking parcels of land for sale suitable for a council on aging facility was issued last week. Bids are due Jan. 12. The move was made at the request of the board of selectmen. During a presentation of a COA space needs study Nov. 14, staff indicated that only a few...

Bylaw Would Allow Market-rate Apartments In Homes CHATHAM – Like a number of other Cape towns, Chatham has a zoning bylaw that allows the creation of apartments within single-family homes, but only if they are affordable. The bylaw has generated zero units, most likely because of that restriction. Other towns have had the same result. “In every case where that's done, there are no new units created,” said...

CHATHAM – The iconic Countdown Cod will return to help ring in the new year. Chatham First Night had taken the flying fish off its schedule for the upcoming New Year's Eve celebration after its creator, Richard Clifford, moved out of town. In its place the committee schedule a sing-along leading up to the countdown to midnight and fireworks over Oyster Pond. Clifford has since moved back to town and agreed ...

CHATHAM – By removing one lot from a subdivision off Barn Hill Road, Eastward Companies will eliminate the need to request a waiver from the planning board and thus avoid the potential for additional restrictions on the project, including a buffer area vehemently opposed by the developer. But planning board members aren't so sure that's the case, and want town counsel to weigh in on the issue. The proposed ...

CHATHAM — A Crowell Road resident is clinging to life after being exposed to deadly carbon monoxide in her home Monday. Officials received a call Monday morning from two women at the senior center reporting that their friend, 91-year-old Nancy Olson, hadn’t shown up as expected. “She goes there regularly to play Scrabble, and she didn’t show up this morning,” Deputy Fire Chief David DePasquale said Mond...

CHATHAM – Some changes are in store for this weekend's 39 th annual Christmas By The Sea, but the essence of the event – a celebration of community in the holiday spirit – will remain the same. “All of the traditions of the past 38 years will be in place,” said Jenn Allard of the Chatham Merchants Association, which is sponsoring the three-day event. “We're just trying to make it a little more special.” A cha...

CHATHAM ─ Clad in tall hip waders and bright blue rubber gloves, Monomoy Middle School student Yoangel Rodriguez reached into a purple mesh bag and began scattering what looked like peanuts onto the flats at Mill Creek in Chatham. Rodriguez was really laying down quahog seeds that should come to maturity around the time the young man who planted them graduates high school. The bond between student and shellfish...

CHATHAM – For the first time in a decade, First Night revelers may welcome in the new year without the Countdown Cod. First Night officials were working this week on the logistics to include the illuminated cod in the midnight countdown after earlier deciding to forego the fish after its builder and owner moved out of town. This week, however, Richard Clifford said he'd be happy to provide the cod but could...

CHATHAM – “There's no such thing as just leaves and dirt.” That mantra, recited by Monomoy Regional Middle School science teacher Melinda Forist, was repeated by students recently as they dipped nets into the brackish water of a vernal pool located behind the school. The nets came up with leaves and dirt, for sure, but also contained a number of wriggling and squirming creatures. Students counted nine tadpo...

CHATHAM — Suffering a clear case of sticker shock, selectmen last week asked committees to scale back plans for a $4 million waterfront facility envisioned for 90 Bridge St. Answering a mandate by voters who purchased the land for future commercial and recreational marine uses, the town’s three water-related advisory committees worked with a consultant to find options for the small parcel next to the Mitchel...

CHATHAM — This year, good tidings will be coming to the children of Chatham courtesy of an actual one-horse open sleigh. And it’s a sleigh with a story. On Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m., visitors to the Chatham Historical Society’s Atwood House Museum will be able to see the fully-restored sleigh, which was rescued from the basement of the former Eldredge Garage before it was razed. Visitors are encourag...