CHATHAM – When a ban on single-service styrofoam packaging enacted by New York City Jan. 1 came up during a discussion with a group of friends, William Bystrom decided to research the issue. He ended up coming up with a petition to put a similar ban before voters at the May 13 annual town meeting. “We're dealing basically with food service articles,” such as take-out containers, cups and bowls as well as packi...

Minister’s Point resident Gerald Milden has filed suit in Barnstable Superior Court against the town of Chatham and its conservation commission, claiming it wrongly permitted a potential future dredging project near the North Inlet, where it had issued an emergency permit last year. The suit comes despite the fact that the project was never carried out, and town officials have not yet decided whether to dredge...

Local fire and rescue departments saw an escalation in calls last year, ranging from 13 percent in Chatham to 15 percent in Orleans and nearly 20 percent in Harwich. Most of the increases were in the number of emergency medical calls fielded by the departments. A major factor, officials say, is the area's aging population; last year's winter storms also contributed to the increase. “The storms certainly did...

CHATHAM –On Friday the Chatham Board of Selectmen put the "good offices" of the town squarely behind the effort to save the Monomoy Theatre The board met in executive session to discuss the possibility of the town purchasing the property at 776 Main St. and 70 Depot Rd., which went on the market a week ago for $3.95 million. In a statement issued Friday, the board said it values the tradition of the theater...

Now entering its second month, the partial government shutdown has left many federal workers scrambling to meet household expenses. A variety of resources have been made available to help. The town of Chatham has published a list of community resources , with contact information for agencies that can help with food, housing, child care and other expenses.  The volunteers who maintain and operate the hist...

CHATHAM — In the summertime, restaurants and bars aren’t the only place in downtown Chatham where you can enjoy a little wine. Increasingly, you can stop for a libation at an art gallery or a clothing store. Having seen a big jump in the requests for special one-day alcoholic beverage permits issued to retailers and other non-foodservice businesses, selectmen are considering imposing a fee for that privil...

CHATHAM -- The first major winter storm of the season brought minor coastal flooding and a lot rain to the region. The usual hotspots -- Ryder's Cove, Little Beach -- experienced flooding at high tide late Sunday morning, but there appeared to be no major damage or erosion. More than 1.5 inches of rain fell in the area, leading to widespread flooding in roadways. There appeared to be washovers on North Beac...

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 ...