HARWICH — The state Department of Environmental Protection has upheld the conservation commission's decision to allow the reconstruction of the fish house on the Herring River. DEP sided with the commission in an appeal for a superseding order of conditions filed by abutters. Francis and Debra Zarette, trustees of Farm View Realty Trust, purchased the former Lucas fish house about a year ago and have been work...

EAST HARWICH — Residents could see a roundabout at the intersection of Route 39 and Pleasant Bay Road in a couple of years, Town Administrator Christopher Clark told a group of homeowners who live near the intersection during an informational meeting Tuesday afternoon. The purpose of the meeting was to solicit input from residents who live near the intersection as the town moves toward locating a roundabout th...

HARWICH — Seventy-three years ago Navy Lt. Ralph Wallace Burns informed his commanding officer he was making one more run on an enemy target in the South Pacific before returning to home base. Burns, considered one of the finest pilots in Torpedo Squadron, never made it back. On Saturday approximately 250 people came to honor the World War II pilot with the dedication of the Route 124 bridge over Route 6 in hi...

WEST HARWICH — If you're unenthusiastic about voting Democratic or Republican in next month's presidential election, Robert Aron has a place for you. The mild-mannered, 71-year-old clinical psychologist wants you to consider voting Libertarian. He's the chairman of the Cape Cod Chapter of the Libertarian Party, and said he was drawn to the ticket because he couldn't see himself voting for either Donald Trump o...

HARWICH — The preservation of the face of Brooks Free Library has been a hot topic in town over the past couple of years. While selectmen have approved an architectural firm to oversee the work to be performed, the firm remains a bone of contention, as do comments made against a former historic district and historical commission member who takes exception to recommendations made by the firm. Mirande Dupuy-Dewi...

HARWICH — Barnstable County has placed an order for a second dredge to be used in keeping local harbor channels open for boaters. But the county is also beginning to discuss extending dredging activities into freshwater, including rivers and streams leading to headwaters. “My main goal is to clean up estuary passages because they are not flushing out the way they should,” County Commissioner Leo Cakounes said ...

HARWICH — The FY18 budget message presented to Town Administrator Christopher Clark by selectmen states clearly the board's directive to stay within the limits of Proposition 2½, and to assist in doing so, the board is discouraging new hires and increased hours for part-time employees. “I view this as the most important document the board of selectmen votes in the year,” Selectman Peter Hughes said. Selectm...

HARWICH — “It's a complicated dance,” Monomoy Regional High School teacher Richard Houston told selectmen Monday night of opinions in favor and against Question 2 on the election ballot being disseminated in 30 second commercials on television and radio. The ballot question seeks to expand the number of charter schools that would be allowed in the commonwealth. Approval of the question would give the state Boa...

HARWICH — The pet cemetery approved by voters for 2.25 acres of town-owned land along Queen Anne Road is showing a little life, with department of public works employees using a Bobcat to clear brush from the lot. “We trying to get the lay of the land, find out what the topography is there,” Cemetery Administrator Robbin Kelley said of the work taking place last Thursday. Voters approved the use of the land...

HARWICH — Saturday will be a busy day around the Route 124 overpass of Route 6, as state and local officials, together with the Bridges for the Fallen organization, dedicate the bridge to fallen World War II pilot U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Ralph Wallace Burns. The 10 a.m. dedication is anticipated to draw a large crowd at the commuter parking lot near the bridge, where the ceremony will be held. With l...

WEST HARWICH — The selectmen on Monday night voted to provide Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod with $240,000 from the town affordable housing trust fund to purchase approximately 1.5 acres of land off Route 28 to construct six affordable homes. As required when approving the use of the housing trust funds, the town's housing authority and housing committee last week also endorsed the allocation to Habitat proj...