HARWICH — Former selectman Larry Ballantine has taken out nomination papers for another run for the office. Ballantine served on the board for six years before making the decision in 2015 not to seek a third term. “I was worn out last time, but I'm fully rested,” Ballantine told The Chronicle on Thursday after taking out papers. He is the second candidate to take out nomination papers for a seat on the boar...

HARWICH — The community preservation committee gathered in a legally posted meeting last Thursday evening and revisited its recommendations for applications to be funded through the Community Preservation Act at the annual town meeting in May. A previous meeting of the committee held on Jan. 12 was called into question for potential violations of the state Open Meeting Law for failing to specifically identifyi...

WEST HARWICH — The fish house on the edge of the Herring River is in danger of collapsing. On Monday, Conservation Administrator Amy Usowski was crafting an emergency certificate that will allow minimum repairs to stabilize the structure to prevent its falling into the river and causing environmental damage. Usowski said she got word of the imminent danger on Friday from the owner, Francis Zarette, who had ...

HARWICH ─ Jordan Fisher's primary passion in his short life was basketball. Armed with that knowledge, and a deep desire to honor their son, cousin, and nephew, Fisher's family members came before the school committee this week to formally request the retirement of his basketball jersey and number. “We lost our son Jordan in a fatal car accident,” said his mother Charlene Fisher. “Our lives have been shatter...

HARWICH — Selectmen began rolling out a plan to address the ballot question that was approved in November allowing the use of recreational marijuana and the sale of pot through retail stores. Town Administrator Christopher Clark said legal matters relating to the use and sale of marijuana were discussed at the recent Massachusetts Municipal Association conference. The town of West Bridgewater approved a tempor...

HARWICH ─ Beverly Johnson never thought at the age of 80 she'd be part of a public protest. However, incensed by the election of President Donald Trump and fearful of policies that could potentially compromise quality of life for millions, Johnson joined more than 100 others on Jan. 21 in the Harwich Stand. Participants gathered shortly after 10 a.m. on the corner of Pleasant Lake Avenue and Main Street, eve...

HARWICH — The permitting process for restoration of the face of Brooks Free Library has the historic district and historical commission seeing red. Commission members are leaning toward requiring that the1855 bank building and 1880 Brooks building be restored with historically accurate colors, which include brown, gray, off-white and brick red. Efforts to restore what has been called the “jewel” of historic...

HARWICH — Town officials are asking federal and state representatives to help give the Army Corps of Engineers a nudge in expediting permits for the Saquatucket Harbor waterside reconstruction project. There are serious concerns that the absence of federal permits could set the project back yet another year. “This marina reconstruction project is well supported by the citizens of the town, it is an important r...

HARWICH ─ When Mary Jo Keenan went for medical testing in 2005, it was for something minor, which happened to lead to something major when Keenan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Now, more than 11 years later, Keenan is lending her support to the annual Dancing for a Cure fundraising event, while soldiering on through her own ongoing treatments. Like many women, Keenan had no symptoms regarding her ovarian...

HARWICH — The community preservation committee will be revisiting the 14 votes it took two weeks ago on Community Preservation Act project recommendations. The posting of the Jan. 12 meeting was called into question over improper notification to public issue, and town counsel recommended a new posting and vote occur. The committee has scheduled the new session for Thursday (tonight) at 6 p.m. in town hall. ...

HARWICH — There will be some scary scenes in the wetlands behind Grand Slam Entertainment next fall. The conservation commission last week approved a request for a determination of applicability for a temporary haunted forest to be created in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Grand Slam Entertainment owner Phillip “Skip” Fennell was before the commission a few weeks ago making a preliminary presentation on...

HARWICH — Robert Widegren, who served on the board of selectmen and the planning board, along with many civic organizations, has died at the age of 87. The board of selectmen held a moment of silence in Mr. Widegren's honor Monday. Mr. Widegren came to Cape Cod in 1972, continuing his career with New England Telephone, later known as NYNEX. But he's best known for his contributions to town government and ...