ORLEANS - When he was a young man, Mark Vecchione of Eastham loved to hang out at Rock Harbor and see the fishing boats. On Sunday, as they’ve done for the last decade since he was killed in action in Iraq, volunteers held a day-long fishing trip in his memory. The fleet had a proper send-off from those aboard the Gold Medal Lifeboat CG36500. MARCIA...

CHATHAM — With most conflicts with commercial fishermen now resolved, the fish pier observation deck project is edging toward completion. The town is working with general contractor Sciaba Construction Corp. to finalize a change order that establishes a project completion date of Sept. 2. Health and Natural Resources Director Robert Duncanson showed selectmen photos Monday showing the progress of deck con...

CHATHAM — If you were among the hundreds of motorists inconvenienced by the surprise closure of Stage Harbor Road early this week, try to see the bright side. Your car might’ve been swallowed by a sink hole instead. About two months ago, town officials received word of drainage problems in a small bog on the east side of Stage Harbor Road opposite Oyster Pond Beach. “The property immediately adjacent to t...

Discussion Of Use Of The Park Postponed CHATHAM – A discussion of neighbors' complaints about the use of Chase Park, scheduled for Monday's board of selectmen's meeting, was postponed to provide staff more time to research issues related to the Cross Street park, and to allow the full board, as well one of the chief complainants, to be present. Twelve property owners on Grist Mill Lane, Shattuck Lane and Shat...

Observe nature by our kettle ponds, at our outer beaches and in the local woods and you will be well rewarded by the wonder that insects, birds, animals and flowers provide. “Observe, observe, observe. Be better observers.” That was the message naturalist Peter Trull delivered to about 160 members of the Chatham Conservation Foundation Inc. (CCF) at the group’s 57 th annual meeting at the Wequassett Resort...

Roundabouts To Be In Place By Winter CHATHAM – By this winter, temporary roundabouts should be completed along Route 28, allowing residents to get familiar with new traffic patterns along the West Chatham corridor. Construction on the two-year, $4 million reconfiguration of the 1,700-foot roadway between Barn Hill and George Ryder roads is scheduled to resume on Sept. 3, the day after Labor Day. The initial...

CHATHAM — Later this month, Steven and Nancy Finch of Brewster will visit Coast Guard Station Chatham for a special remembrance of Steven’s great uncle, Norman. They’ll look out over the wide Atlantic, the final resting place for Norman and 129 of his shipmates who were lost on the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa nearly 101 years ago. And they’ll receive a Purple Heart on his behalf, honoring the ultimate sacrifice he...

Already endorsed by the Monomoy Regional School Committee, a plan to allow Head Start and the YMCA of Cape Cod to operate early childhood programs at Chatham and Harwich elementary schools has passed muster with selectmen in both towns. Superintendent of Schools Scott Carpenter said the lease of the classroom spaces must be finalized by the state education commissioner, but the new programs are expected to beg...

NORTH HARWICH — Maybe it was the disruption caused by the tornado, or perhaps people are starting to focus on back-to-school activities. Or maybe people are understandably focused on enjoying their Cape Cod summer vacations. But whatever the reason, donations had slowed to a trickle in our annual Helping Neighbors campaign to benefit the Family Pantry of Cape Cod. ...

HARWICH – Hundreds of members and supporters of the Harwich Conservation Trust turned out Monday night to delve into the 400-year history of the Pleasant Bay area as seen through records and artifacts uncovered at the 49-acre Kendrick farm. The effort is an ambitious five-year undertaking to merge archeological and historical research and uncover a generation-by-generation history not only of one family, but of t...

HARWICH — A blue-green algae bloom turned the waters of the West Reservoir in the Bell’s Neck Conservation Area bright green Monday. Town officials warned people not to swim or allow dogs to swim or drink water from the reservoir. “The whole West Reservoir is a murky blue-green,” Conservation Administrator Amy Usowski said after posting three warning notices along the shoreline where people might come in conta...

Peake: State May Provide Disaster Relief Money Municipal expenditures related to the July 23 tornado are not likely to reach the threshold required for federal reimbursement, local officials say. Qualifying expenditures in Harwich total $1,256,200, according to Town Administrator Christopher Clark, and slightly more than $438,000 in Chatham, according to Finance Director Alix Heilala. Yarmouth reported $4...

HARWICH — Sandy Robinson remembers well the day she was offered the job working in the administration/selectmen’s office in town hall 19 years ago. “Assistant town administrator Juell Buckwold called to offer me the job and I said my first grandchild is about to be born any minute,” Robinson responded. “Now she’s in her second year in college. It’s like a lifetime in the blink of an eye.” But, the executive...

HARWICH — Selectmen made it clear Monday night they support a referral of the Captains’ Row area of West Harwich to the Cape Cod Commission as a district of critical planning concern, but they held off requesting a pending a recommendation from the planning board. Residents of the area have come together in support of protecting the historic structures, many built by 19 th Century sea captains, along a stretc...

HARWICH — There is a new watercolor exhibit at the cultural center focusing on a dozen of the historic structures along Captains’ Row in West Harwich. There has been a major effort by residents of the West Harwich area to protect the historic character of the neighborhood, which was established by sea captains, ship builders and merchants. This summer the Harwich Historical Society has a Captains’ Row exhibit ...