HARWICH — As the town and state prepare more restrictive regulations governing the sale of tobacco products, a new smoke shop has opened in Harwich Center. New state regulations went into effect on Dec. 11 and the town’s new board of health regulations went into effect on September. Additional provisions will be effective Jan. 1 prohibiting retail stores with tobacco licenses from selling flavored tobacco prod...

HARWICH — The Harwich Port Commons building in the center of the village has sat empty for the past year, but plans have been submitted to the planning board to utilize the retail space on the first floor for a fast-food/takeout business called Harwich Port Common’s Farmer’s Market. The plans were filed last with the planning board by property owner 525 Camelot LLC and principals Paul and Diane Manning. The Ma...

On 2-1 Vote HARWICH — On a two-to-one vote, the Barnstable County Commissioners approved the ordinance establishing the West Harwich District of Critical Planning Concern (DCPC) last week. County commissioner Ron Beaty cast the dissenting vote. The ordinance allows the town to put in place a one-year moratorium on development to provide time to address zoning deficiencies along a stretch of Route 28 from th...

HARWICH — The town has generous tax exemption programs for residents over 65 years of age, veterans, and people who are sight-impaired, but there is little in the way of programs to help younger families and residents who are facing financial hardship. Board of Assessors Chairman Richard Waystack raised the issue of establishing a hardship exemption tax credit for people under 65 years of age during a presenta...

HARWICH — The lack of landfill space and other means of disposing of municipal solid waste in Massachusetts is having a major financial impact on communities. That was made perfectly clear Monday night when selectmen approved two one-year contracts with per-ton rate increases of nearly $20. “Recycling markets have degenerated and we have more trash than we have outlets,” DPW Director Lincoln Hooper told select...

ORLEANS— Jeremy Gingras, the former Harwich Chamber of Commerce executive director who was fired for stealing thousands of dollars from the chamber and its charitable foundation, will avoid a trial on embezzlement charges as part of a plea deal accepted Friday in Orleans District Court. Through his attorney, Gingras pleaded guilty to two reduced charges of larceny under $250 and agreed to repay the Harwich Cha...

If you needed any proof of the power of generosity, here's some: In the 15-year history of The Chronicle's annual Helping Neighbors, our readers have contributed more than $1 million dollars to the Family Pantry of Cape Cod. The milestone was reached last week. Support Helping Neighbors “That's a pretty bre...

HARWICH — Fire Chief Norman Clarke, Jr. told selectmen Monday night that he will be retiring on July 18 after 43 years of service to the community. He endorsed Deputy Fire Chief David LeBlanc as his replacement. The department has had a history of promoting from within. When Clarke was appointed fire chief in October 2011, former selectman Allin Thompson pointed out the department had only one chief appointed ...

HARWICH — The ad hoc Harwich Port parking committee will be wrapping up its tasks after one more meeting. The committee made its report to selectmen Monday night listing recent improvements made and making a few suggestions going forward. Committee chairman Al Donoghue said the group met 15 times. In the report the committee said signage, the use of the TD Bank parking lot for employee parking and efforts to c...

HARWICH — The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates gave its unanimous approval to the designation of a West Harwich District of Critical Planning Concern last week. The final step in the approval must be taken by the Barnstable County Commissioners, but it is unlikely to receive unanimous support. In a statement, commissioner Ron Beaty said he was opposed to the proposal and intended to vote against the ord...

HARWICH — Affordable housing trust members said they need time to examine if they would have any use for the century-old house the Bishop of Fall River is seeking to have torn down on the Holy Trinity Church property in West Harwich. A demolition is pending before the historic district and historical commission, which wanted to see if the town’s affordable housing trust might have an interest in moving the Vic...

HARWICH — If you’re looking to put the twinkle back in your holiday spirit, Bob Doane’s got just the thing. Swing by the Harwich Cultural Center after dark and you’ll see a dazzling display of holiday lights synchronized to music. Candy canes dance to Tchaikovsky, reindeer take flight and frisky penguins play in a winter landscape. The display is free for all to enjoy, and visitors tune in the music on their c...