Day by day, more retailers are opening their doors to customers as they adjust their operations to meet new COVID-19 safety requirements. As of Monday, retailers who comply with those rules were allowed to welcome customers indoors as part of the second phase of the state’s economic reopening plan. And they’re banking on pent-up demand from customers who’ve missed the experience of in-person shopping. “People ...

CHATHAM – If she was back home in New York City rather than sheltering at her parents’ house due to the pandemic, Abby Dykens would “1,000 percent” have been marching with protesters in Manhattan and her Greenpoint neighborhood. “I would be there every day, if I could,” she said last Wednesday following a vigil that she organized on Lighthouse Beach in support of the Black Lives Matters protesters around the n...

Former Chatham Band Director Kenneth Eldredge Dies At 97 CHATHAM – Kenneth Eldredge joined the Chatham Band in the 1930s, but by that time he'd already been playing music for a while in the elementary school band. He started on trumpet but later took up drums and xylophone, which he played in the band for nearly 50 years before stepping into the big shoes of Whit Tileston as musical director. “I must say I ...

CHATHAM – The only contested race in the June 25 annual town election is for two three-year terms on the Monomoy Regional School Committee. Incumbents Nancy Scott and Jacqueline Zibrat-Long are being challenged by Robert Hessler and Elizabeth Taylor. Selectman Shareen Davis is running unopposed, as is housing authority member Janice O'Connell. Polls will be open at the community center from noon to 6 p.m.; to req...

CHATHAM — When it comes to safely managing the town’s bathing beaches this summer, officials are weighing more than just the public health implications of COVID-19. They have to consider a key source of town revenue and a major driver for the town’s economy. “The number one thing that everybody wants when they come here is the beaches,” said parks and recreation commissioner Kimberly Robbins, who also operates...

Annual Session To Be Held At Veterans Field CHATHAM — There won’t be any baseball played on Veterans Field this summer, but on June 22, town officials will be pitching an abbreviated town meeting warrant to a gathering of socially-distanced voters. For safety during COVID-19, the town’s annual legislative session is being held outdoors at 6 p.m. rather than at the middle school. It’s certainly the first tim...

CHATHAM — Because of COVID-19, Chatham firefighters couldn’t give Pete Connick the traditional gathering thrown for retiring chiefs. Instead, they surprised him with a rolling tribute: a parade with firefighters and police from around Cape Cod. With sirens blaring, the parade rolled in front of the Depot Road firehouse, where Connick, his family and other department members watched the procession. In addition ...

CHATHAM — Admitting that it will be very difficult to enforce, the board of health Monday issued an order requiring people to wear face masks at the lighthouse overlook, the fish pier observation deck and the town transfer station in a bid to prevent transmission of COVID-19. The initiative builds on a previous order requiring people to wear masks outdoors along Main Street in downtown Chatham. Public reaction...

SOUTH CHATHAM — Having ignored daily fines levied by the town, the owners of BodyStrong Fitness were served with an immediate cease and desist order Monday afternoon for opening despite the governor’s order to remain closed during the pandemic emergency. Delivering the order is “the last step of the procedures that the state has laid out for enforcement,” Health Agent Judith Giorgio told the health board Monda...

But General Business District Expansion Gets Skeptical Reception CHATHAM – A special zoning designation that would allow the development of the Monomoy Theatre property has been endorsed by the planning board. Board members were less amenable to a petition article to expand a corner of the downtown business district, putting off a recommendation to give the proponents time to work out some of the kinks. Vot...

CHATHAM — To provide more social distancing room for shoppers, downtown merchants have proposed banning on-street parking and allowing only one-way traffic on Main Street this summer. A new working group has been formed to review and refine the proposal. At last Thursday’s meeting of the board of selectmen, Chatham Chamber of Commerce Executive Director said business leaders have developed a plan for “a safe, ...

Town Issuing Fines, Could Seek Court Order SOUTH CHATHAM — Saying he’s being strong-armed by state regulators, the owner of a local fitness center opened his doors in defiance of the state closure last Wednesday. The owner of Bodystrong Fitness said the company needs to make money to survive. “We opened against the governor’s order because we have to at this point. It’s been two months,” majority owner Coli...