EAST HARWICH — Not many kids become a pilot at 16 years of age, and even fewer of them built an airfield in their backyard. But Charles P.H. “Chief” Bascom attained both those accomplishments. Few people remember the East Harwich Airdrome which operated in a limited fashion for close to 50 years, with planes taking off from the dirt runway over Orleans Road (Route 39) or Church Street, depending upon wind dire...

HARWICH PORT– Faced with opposition from neighbors to a proposal to expand the Schoolhouse parking lot, town officials withdrew the request last week. Town officials were before the planning board seeking a waiver to a site plan issued in 2002 for the parking lot and construction of the chamber of commerce building. Based on the opposition and planning board members' determination that a waiver wasn't the prop...

NORTH HARWICH — Everyone looks forward to Independence Day, but perhaps none so much as clients of the Family Pantry. Still, for many, the day they don’t need help putting food on the table can be elusive. The majority of Family Pantry clients – 63 percent – are working one job or more, and many are employed during the busy summer season. But during the off season, the low wages and few hours available mean ...

HARWICH — The planning board last week unanimously approved the site plan review and use special permits for the new Cape Cod Regional Technical High School. The project is scheduled to get underway in December and is estimated to cost $128 million. The new school will be located on the east side of the 69.46 acre lot that presently holds the existing Cape Tech school in the Pleasant Lake section of town. The ...

A new light is about to shine on Harwich's cultural stage as a result of a collaboration between the Harwich Cranberry Arts and Music Festival, Inc., and the Harwich Cultural Center, located in the former Harwich Middle School on Sisson Road. Starting on Thursday, July 12 and continuing through Thursday, Aug. 23, Cranfest In The Courtyard will offer a series of acoustic concerts to be held, weather permitting,...

HARWICH — It has been a long time coming, but the former gas station property in Harwich Center could be heading for major renovations. The historic district and historical commission will conduct a certificate of appropriateness hearing in two weeks for a proposal for a new convenience store and two apartments on the site. The 27,441-square-foot lot, which has a small, dilapidated structure that housed the...

HARWICH — “Errors were made, but nothing that rises to a major level,” Interim Assistant Town Administrator Robert Lawton told selectmen Monday night regarding the use of funds and the decision-making process for the pet burial ground project on Queen Anne Road. “There was no intent to hide anything,” Lawton said. After speaking with Cemetery Administrator Robbin Kelley, Lawton said he found she understood ...

WEST HARWICH — The former fishhouse on the Herring River is filled with happy clams. With legal and regulatory issues related to the reconstruction of the former Lucas fishhouse at the edge of the river settled, Aquacultural Research Corporation of Dennis is now using the building to nurture seed quahogs in an effort to meet the increasing demand for shellfish by aquaculturalists. “The quahogs are happy and...

HARWICH — The groundbreaking for the new East Harwich Fire Station should take place in the next couple of weeks. The town is currently awaiting a ruling from the state Attorney General's Office on a bid protest filed by the Sheet Metal Workers Union in Boston. Town Administrator Christopher Clark said traditionally the general contract does not get awarded until the AG's Office advises on such challenges. The...

HARWICH — Alleging that the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club and the Wychmere Harbor Club are responsible for significant nitrogen pollution of coastal waters, the Conservation Law Foundation has put the owners of the resorts on notice of its intent to file suit under the federal Clean Waters Act. Under the law, citizens and organizations can sue alleged violators after first providing 60 days notice. Last Thur...

HARWICH — It's a changing world with a lot less tolerance and a lot more violence, and public safety officials have to make adjustments accordingly when responding to calls. That includes providing the proper safety armor for fire department personnel. “It's a far cry from when I started this job,” Deputy Fire Chief David LeBlanc said of some of the conditions fire personnel across the nation find themselves f...

HARWICH — The county dredge Codfish was scheduled to moved into the Allen Harbor channel this week to remove 8,000 cubic yards of sand. Harbormaster John Rendon said the sand will be used as nourishment for nearby public beaches. The Codfish just finished dredging the Saquatucket Harbor channel where material was placed on both public and private beaches in the area. The town received several bids from shorefr...