CHATHAM – In May 2012, Mark Pawlina will have been a police officer for 37 and a half years. That, to him, seemed like a good time to try something different. Earlier this month, Town Manager Jill Goldsmith extended Pawlina's contract as the town's chief of police through May 31, 2021, a six-month extension of his current agreement. Pawlina agreed that will be his final contract extension and he will step down...

CHATHAM — Saying the “stingy” stipend they receive hasn’t been increased in years, selectmen this week proposed doubling their pay and that of the town moderator. Board members currently receive an annual stipend of $2,000, with an extra $500 for the chairman. At the board’s direction, staff surveyed the stipends paid to other boards of selectmen on the Cape, and found that they ranged from a low of $1,500 i...

CHATHAM – Dredging of the entrance channel to Outermost Harbor Marine wound up this week, and whether the navigation channel remains clear will depend in large part on this winter's weather. The Little Beach marine purchased its own small dredge to clear the sand, which drifts southward from Lighthouse Beach and North Beach Island. The marina has a maintenance permit to keep the channel open, said owner Farrel...

CHATHAM – For the past month, the hottest topic in town has been a letter to the editor headlined “Why Pay To Keep Young Families In Chatham?” The letter from Beverly Nelson, a Natick resident with a second home in Chatham, sparked a passionate response that went viral, spreading through social media and becoming the subject of conversation in coffee shops and town committee meetings. The Boston media even pic...

CHATHAM – Whether accessory dwelling units should be allowed by right or only by special permit has become a central point of disagreement in discussions about a draft zoning bylaw amendment that would let homeowners add a second, separate unit within a single-family dwelling. The planning board hopes to put the accessory dwelling units (ADU) before town meeting in May. It is designed to allow owner-occupants ...

CHATHAM – In a step toward covering the town's $17 million other post-employment benefit liability, Gov. Charlie Baker last week signed legislation authorizing a property tax surcharge to help address the financial obligation. The legislation allows the town to levy a 1.5 percent surcharge on property tax bills beginning in 2020, when the current 3 percent Cape Cod Land Bank excise tax ends. The new surcharge ...

CHATHAM — It’s not exactly business as usual at Coast Guard Station Chatham, but when it comes to their core missions – search and rescue, maritime security, law enforcement and environmental response – they are, as always, ready to respond during the partial government shutdown. While the funding lapse does not affect most branches of the military, the Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Securit...

CHATHAM – For more than six decades, local theater enthusiasts have flocked to the Monomoy Theatre to see shows evoking a sense of Broadway in their backyard. Now, the future of the landmark is in jeopardy after recent health and safety violations prompted the University of Hartford to terminate its lease, which in turn has motivated the property owners to put the property up for sale in the coming weeks. The ...

CHATHAM — Saying they favor a regional approach based on sound science, selectmen Monday signed on to a study of ways to control the risks posed to swimmers and beachgoers by great white sharks. To be conducted by the Woods Hole Group, the study is expected to yield a report by the early summer. While some of the recommendations may take years to implement, others might be put in place in time for the 2019 b...

CHATHAM – For more than 60 years, the Chatham Candy Manor has been an anchor on the east end of Main Street, a sweet spot that keeps the iconic chocolate shop bustling year-round. For that entire time, the business has been owned and operated by the same family. Now new owners are taking over, but the shop will remain within the family – the Candy Manor family. Owners Naomi Turner and David Veach announced ...

CHATHAM – Seven environmental groups that signed a letter opposing federal legislation to change the western boundary of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge have been invited to meet with town officials next month to try to resolve their differences. Given the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, some of the concerns expressed in a March 2017 letter from environmental organizations regardi...

CHATHAM — From new bike path crossing lights to an affordable housing consultant, Community Preservation Act funds are being eyed for a variety of projects. And more applications are likely to trickle in as the Jan. 15 deadline approaches. The community preservation committee reviewed some of the applications this week, and will hold a second session on Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. at the community center. As of this w...