Some actions to mitigate the danger from sharks in the region's waters can be put in place this summer. A Bourne consulting group will look at other options as part of a study that begins this week. Officials from six Outer Cape towns, the Cape Cod National Seashore and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy met with the Woods Hole Group last Wednesday in Wellfleet to kick off the $49,950 shark mitigation altern...

CHATHAM – Friends of Trees helped support Monomoy Middle School's “Finest Hours” field trips with a grant to support a program that immersed students in local history.  “Chatham’s trees are living artifacts, survivors of decades of change and anchors to the town’s history,” said Friends of Trees president DeeDee Holt. “We were pleased to support this program and Ms. Bourget's effort to make this meaningful con...

CHATHAM – A survey to get public feedback about a number of shark mitigation strategies under consideration will feed into a study scheduled to begin next week. Officials from six Outer Cape towns met Wednesday in Wellfleet with the Woods Hole Group to discuss alternatives to address concerns about shark safety. Also participating in the meeting were the Cape Cod National Seashore, the Atlantic White Shark Con...

CHATHAM – The community preservation committee has turned down the Chatham VFW Post's requests for funds to upgrade the heating system at its George Ryder Road facility. The $205,000 request doesn't adhere to Community Preservation Act guidelines for historic structures because it does not involve acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation or restoration. While a section of the building has been determined to b...

CHATHAM – For nearly a quarter of a century, Peter Saunders ran poetry workshops and taught writing classes here and in other Cape towns. He published a dozen books of poetry and became known as the town's unofficial poet laureate. “He always said there are no rules,” said John Poignand, who considered Mr. Saunders a mentor and friend. “He would not allow people to say bad things about their poetry. A good tea...

CHATHAM – Most special permit and other zoning regulations addressing land use apply to the property in question. For instance, a special permit granted by the zoning board of appeals applies to the subject property, no matter who the owner or how many times it's resold. The same goes for demolition delays imposed by the historical commission. That allows an owner who wants to sell a home that's been determine...

When a person is experiencing a mental health crisis, it can sometimes take hours to get professional help to the scene. Thanks to a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, Bay Cove Human Services will be providing additional staff to respond to after-hours crises between Hyannis and Provincetown. Under its contract with MassHealth, Bay Cove is required to provide emergency services ...

CHATHAM – A former finance committee member is urging the board of selectmen to “think outside the box” and impose a moratorium on tear downs to prevent developers from converting more affordable year-round housing to expensive summer homes. Doing so could provide more opportunities for families to remain in town and stem declining school enrollment, which is playing havoc with the budget process. Roslyn Colem...

CHATHAM – Is it time, once again, to look into building a municipal swimming pool? The parks and recreation commission thinks so. The last proposal for a town swimming pool was 15 years ago, when two pools were part of the first plan to renovate the Main Street School into a community center. The plan was voted down at the 2004 annual town meeting, with opposition to the pools, especially the cost, a major fac...

Theater Supporters 'Remain Hopeful CHATHAM – They're not giving up, but supporters of the Monomoy Theatre are wondering what their next move will be now that the Main Street property is under agreement to be sold to another buyer. Exactly who that buyer is was still a mystery early this week. The buyer is not affiliated with the theater. Mary Ann Harwood, chairwoman of Monomoy Theatre, Inc., said that wh...

CHATHAM — A contractor has been hired, some of the preliminary utility work has been done, and the West Chatham roadway redesign project is expected to get underway in earnest this spring, officials say. The $4.2 million project includes the installation of roundabouts on Route 28 at Barn Hill Road and George Ryder Road, along with new sidewalks, crosswalks and a multi-use bike lane. A more controversial por...

CHATHAM – A short “listening session” last week kicked off the town's effort to square its waterways bylaws and regulations with state and federal rules. In a meeting that lasted less than half an hour, a handful of speakers raised several questions and made comments about the town's regulations, mostly focused on the contentious issue of moorings. Waterways officials and the town's waterways advisory commi...