HARWICH — Because dollars talk, it is safe to say wastewater management expenses were the main topic bantered about in town in 2018. Voters in the annual town meeting approved $24,775,000 for the construction of sewers in East Harwich, and the town is working closely with Dennis and Yarmouth to develop a tri-town sewage treatment plant. There have been a number of battles and accomplishments in the communit...

HARWICH — The sound of music will come under scrutiny from the board of selectmen as they consider adjustments to the town's noise bylaw, including removing commercial districts, or liquor establishments, from the measure. Noise from music coming from liquor establishments in Harwich Port and filtering into residential neighborhoods has become a growing concern, especially with the increase in outdoors venues,...

HARWICH — There was strong support for roadway improvements along Route 6 from approximately 20 people who attended a Cape Cod Commission hearing last week focusing on ramp and shoulder improvements along the state highway. The hearing sought public input on ramp and shoulder needs from the canal to the Orleans Rotary. Steven Tupper transportation program manager for the commission explained a planning study i...

HARWICH — The major capital project facing the town in the coming year is a projected $5,560,471 Lower County Road reconstruction to be funded solely by the town. The project could be eligible for the state/federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), to qualify the road layout would have to be widened, which officials say will compromise community character. Department of Public Works Director Lincoln...

HARWICH — There was consensus among the Harwich Center initiative committee last week that input is needed from stakeholders – property owners – in shaping a direction for improving the vitality of the village. Acting committee chairman Paul Doane told the committee his mother years ago offered a program, including a slide show of the village in the 1950s, '60s and '80s . At the time, he said, the center was u...

HARWICH — A number of building permit fees will be increased as of the beginning of February. The increased building fees had drawn a lot of debate among selectmen when they were first considered in August. Building Commissioner Raymond Chesley returned to the board last week and documented the need for a 57 percent increase. “There is a misnomer the revenue the town receives covers the cost of the building de...

HARWICH — Selectmen and the finance committee have received a preview of the proposed seven-year capital plan from Town Administrator Christopher Clark with a focus on the FY 2020 spending package. The total spending Clark is recommending is $10,903,235, while the capital outlay committee's number is $10,402,915. The difference, he said, is that he incorporates items under the $50,000 threshold in his plan and...

HARWICH — The water department staff had to deal with another water main break along Route 28 last week near the intersection of Brooks Road. Water Department Superintendent Dan Pelletier said there have been four major breaks along that stretch of roadway in the past five years. Pelletier said the break that occurred after 4 p.m. last Thursday released about 150,000 gallons of water. The 10-inch pipe was inst...

HARWICH — Having served the town in many capacities for nearly 50 years and earned his place as a community icon, Emulous E. “Buddy” Hall passed away on Saturday at the age of 95. Besides his dedication to community, he is also fondly remembered for his 58 years of providing enjoyment to locals and tourists, running Bud's Go-Karts on the corner of Route 28 and Sisson Road. A lifelong resident, Mr. Hall died pe...

HARWICH — Cultural districts should serve to develop the character and a story line for their communities, Luis Cotto, of the Massachusetts Cultural Council told stakeholders in Harwich recently. Cotto, the council’s program manager, came to help local officials plan for two cultural districts in town. In two meetings on Thursday, proponents off the districts in Harwich Center and Harwich Port met with Cotto a...

HARWICH — The hope was the town would be treating Hinckley's Pond with alum before the end of the year, but the conservation commission has not acted on the request, absent a response to the proposal from the state's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species (NHES) program. Natural Resources Director Heinz Proft was before the commission in early October seeking the commission's approval for the proposed alum tr...

HARWICH — The storage of lobster pots in the off-season on Cape Cod has become more of a challenge as land becomes developed and locations for such storage are more difficult to find. Ken Weeks has been a lifelong lobster fisherman and he is facing that problem. Weeks was before the conservation commission last week having filed a notice of intent seeking a variance to store up to 800 lobster pots on his prope...