CHATHAM – Building activity in town slowed somewhat in 2019, with fewer permits issued for additions and new homes. The total estimated value of construction, however, rose slightly higher than in 2018. The number of permits for new houses dropped by 26 percent, from 42 in 2018 to 31 last year. But the average construction value of new dwellings reported on building permits rose nearly 8 percent, from $779,825...

CHATHAM — Acknowledging that road construction along Route 28 is likely to keep some people from visiting local stores and restaurants, selectmen are looking for ways to send the message that West Chatham is open for business during the upcoming roadway project. The board took action to make it easier for area businesses to obtain temporary signs and is encouraging the business community to come together to ...

CHATHAM – For the 680 voters who attended the Jan. 4 special town meeting, the process of checking in was just a little bit different. For one thing, rather than lining up alphabetically by last name, voters could check in at any of six stations, which greatly expedited the process. And at each of those stations, for the first time, iPads were used to check everyone in. It was the first time the Poll Pad sy...

CHATHAM – The town clock is in need of an overhaul. Located in the tower of the First United Methodist Church, the clock's four faces can be seen throughout much of the downtown area. That's both a benefit and a detriment. At its height, it gets the brunt of everything that nature throws at the town. “It's clearly above the tree line, so definitely is exposed to all of our conditions,” said Principal Projec...

Selectmen: Focus More On Project Management CHATHAM — Town Manager Jill Goldsmith has proposed a $32,733,626 operating budget for fiscal 2021. Designed to keep the current level of services, the budget is up nearly 6 percent over the current year’s spending plan and includes the equivalent of five new full-time employees. Selectmen praised Goldsmith and Finance Director Alix Heilala for the budget, and se...

CHATHAM – For 13 years, Robert Moss admired the old house at 154 Champlain Rd., where the street bends at a right angle and commands a panoramic view of Stage Harbor. He walked past it whenever he was in town, and often encountered people taking photos or just enjoying the view. “It's just such an enjoyable spot,” he said. Five years ago Moss offered to buy the historic home, known as Starboard Light, and f...

CHATHAM — From the trap dock reconstruction to the long-delayed fish pier observation deck, the town has a host of waterfront projects underway. And selectmen are reassuring shellfishermen that, despite delays, their request for a new upweller building is still progressing. Now located underneath the harbormaster’s office at Old Mill Boat Yard, the aging upweller is key to the town’s shellfish propagation prog...

As we start a new decade, we look back this week at the first 20 years of the 21 st century. Below is our list of the top 20 stories, culled from suggestions by staff and readers. It is in no way comprehensive and certainly not conclusive, but it highlights, we believe, the most significant issues and events of those years.   1. Sharks Sharks have been present, and documented, along Cape shores since ...

Fate Of West Chatham Facility Depends On May Vote CHATHAM – Town officials will begin developing designs and cost estimates for a new senior center at 1610 Main St. after voters at Saturday's special town meeting agreed to accept the donation of the 1.3-acre parcel. The fate of a new senior center will depend on a vote in May on construction funds. Owner William Marsh's last-minute decision to donate the...

by Fred Bennett, transcribed and edited by Doreen Leggett (Captain Fred Bennett, a Chatham stalwart, has seen a lot, done a lot, and caught a lot of fish. Now 82 years old, we asked him to take a look back and inform us as to what fishing life and times were like around here half a century ago. Here is his tale.) In 1964, I started work at Ryder’s Cove Boatyard as a marine mechanic. Observing a few f...

CHATHAM – William Marsh, owner of Eastward Companies, has offered to donate to the town the two parcels of land in West Chatham which have been identified as a site for a new senior center. A special town meeting will be held tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 4) to vote on acquisition of the land at 1610 Main St. Marsh and the town had agreed on a $750,000 price for the property. But at a meeting with Town Manager Ji...

Thousands said goodbye to 2019 and welcomed the new decade during the town's First Night celebration Tuesday. The Beatles tribute band Studio Two played to a full house at Chatham Elementary School. TIM WOOD PHOTO Beginning with the town photograph at Chatham Light at noon, the festivities encompassed everyth...