HARWICH — In its bid to improve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Harwich is doing more than just checking off the boxes on some form; it's making enhancements that help real people. That's the word from a consultant who reviewed a limited number of town buildings and facilities for accessibility. Valerie Fletcher of the Boston-based Institute for Human Centered Design was retained t...

HARWICH PORT – As it has for a quarter of a century, Brax Landing Restaurant, which overlooks Saquatucket Harbor, will give back to the community by hosting its annual free Thanksgiving dinner for seniors, veterans, group home residents, the disabled and those alone or in need. Started by former owner Rod Leidner, the tradition has been continued by current owners of the restaurant, Tad Peavey and Jeff Gomes, ...

WEST HARWICH — On Sunday, Americans come together to honor veterans, on what will be the 100 th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. With all its witnesses now gone, the bloody battles of the Great War seem impossibly long ago and intangible. An artist, most likely a soldier in the trenches near Verdun, painstakingl...

Voters turned out in high numbers for Tuesday's state election, deciding several local races and ballot questions as well as contests for governor, federal and state legislators. In the only contested local race, Harwich voters sent Elizabeth Harder to the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates for a two-year term. She won over incumbent Peter Hughes 3,390 to 2,752. Both had applied for the seat when Ed McMan...

HARWICH — The need for affordable year-round housing is nothing new. But town officials are hoping that a new approach – the creation of accessory dwelling units – could provide some relief. Town Planner Charleen Greenhalgh updated selectmen Monday on efforts to draft an ADU bylaw in time for voters to consider at the next annual town meeting. If enacted, the bylaw would allow accessory apartments within the...

SOUTH HARWICH — The board of appeals approved a use variance last Wednesday that puts in motion a plan to replace several structures at the former Stone Horse Motel and build two new dormitory buildings to provide housing for as many as 180 seasonal workers. The project must also go before the planning board and board of health for final approvals. Outer Cape Health Services, Inc. (OCHS) is the current owne...

HARWICH — The energy level was high as stakeholders gathered last week to push for a cultural district designation for Harwich Center. The district is seen as one of the cogs in the wheels that could get the vitality of the village rolling once again. During the session led by Town Planner Charleen Greenhalgh and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cyndi Williams at the Harwich Cultural Center last Tuesday,...

EAST HARWICH — It started simply enough. One day this past summer Jill Abraham walked out of her house and noticed bees hovering over and flying back and forth between plants in her small garden. While busy running her own business, she was also participating in a four-month leadership training program held by Landmark Education of Quincy which, among other activities, required her to undertake a community servic...

DENNIS — Representatives from Harwich, Dennis and Yarmouth negotiating the DHY Clean Water Community Partnership got some insight about the shaping and function of a similar tri-town wastewater district off Cape. Selectmen, finance committee members and members of wastewater support committees were in Dennis last Thursday night to hear from representatives of the Mansfield-Foxborough-Norton Regional Wastewater...

HARWICH — The new council on aging director will be a familiar face to many seniors and to those who frequent the community center. Selectmen on Monday night confirmed the appointment made by Town Administrator Christopher Clark of Emily Mitchell as the new director. Mitchell worked the front desk at the community center for more than three years before entering Cornell Law School in August 2017. After a year ...

HARWICH — There is one local election on the Nov. 6 state election ballot. Voters will be asked to chose Elizabeth Harder or Peter Hughes to serve as the town's representative to the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates. Hughes presently holds the seat, having been appointed by the board of selectmen last June to fill the unexpired term created when Selectman Ed McManus decided to give up the post to run fo...

They're both held town elective office, they've both served on the county assembly, and they both want the available seat on the board of county commissioners. But that's where the similarities end between incumbent commissioner Leo Cakounes of Harwich and challenger Ron Bergstrom of Chatham. “I believe there's a huge separation on how we conduct ourselves as elected officials,” Cakounes said. “It's a clash...