HARWICH — There will be a change in command at the fire department Saturday, with longtime firefighter and Fire Chief Norman Clarke, Jr. retiring after 43 years of service. “From a very young age it was my dream to be a firefighter,” Clarke wrote in a letter to selectmen when announcing his retirement several months ago. “That dream was realized on July 17, 1977 when Chief Charles Hall appointed me to the Harw...

HARWICH — The town administrator search committee submitted four names to selectmen Monday night as finalists for the town administrator position. Among those candidates is acting town administrator Joseph Powers, who has served as the interim town administrator since November. The other candidates are Kenneth Gray, who served as mayor of Amesbury for six years and has 20 years of experience in the private sec...

CHATHAM – David Alexander signed his first contract to teach in what was then the Chatham School District 20 years. Last week, he signed his latest contract, as the new assistant principal of Monomoy Regional High School. “In the same room, too,” he said. “I took that as a good omen.” Currently head of the school's history/social studies department, Alexander this week stepped into the position left open wh...

HARWICH – As colleges and universities across the country, including the University of Massachusetts, announce continued remote learning for the fall semester, parents in the Monomoy Regional School District are eagerly awaiting plans for the reopening of schools this fall, which Superintendent Dr. Scott Carpenter said at this point still remain unclear. “The priority from the state is getting people back into...

HARWICH — The weather could have cooperated a little more over the July Fourth weekend, but the gray clouds did not keep people from going to the beaches. “The beaches were still pretty crowded,” Recreation Department Director Eric Beebe said on Monday. In fact, the beaches have been very busy, beginning with the warm weather in June. Beach sticker sales are showing a slight increase over last year, treasurer ...

HARWICH — With the third phase of Gov. Charlie Baker’s Reopening of Massachusetts, municipal government became more accessible on Monday. The doors to town hall and a number of other public buildings are open, but in many instances appointments are required ahead of time to meet with town staff. Town Administrator Joseph Powers said the town has been working on compliance with the mandatory safety standards...

HARWICH — The affordable housing trust will contribute $37,800 to the housing authority's rental assistance program to ensure funding is available as the new fiscal year begins. The housing authority is seeking $200,000 in Community Preservation Act funds for the program in the annual town meeting. Because the session was put off until Sept. 28 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the funds won't be available until t...

HARWICH – Voters cast ballots in very low numbers in Tuesday's annual town election due both to the absence of any elective races and the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 807 voters, about 5 percent of those registered, cast ballots during limited polling hours. Town Clerk Anita Doucette said 346 ballots were cast by mail. Most, 327, were absentee ballots, and another 19 were early voting ballot requests. She said voti...

HARWICH – Voters cast ballots in very low numbers in Tuesday's annual town election due both to the absence of any elective races and the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 805 voters cast ballots during limited polling hours. Incumbent selectmen Donald Howell and Larry Ballantine were returned to office with 602 and 593 votes, respectively. Incumbent Monomoy Regional School Committee members Meredith Henderson, 633 vote...

HARWICH — The board of appeals has unanimously approved a variance for a trimmed-down proposal for a miniature golf course on the Emulous Hall Realty Trust property at the corner of Route 28 and Sisson Road. This is the second time proponents have sought to develop a miniature golf course on the property, which includes Bud’s Go Karts and an antiques store. In April, a previous proposal seeking a 36-hole cours...

Pandemic Means Huge Demand On Family Pantry The pandemic, and the economic uncertainty it brings, has forced more and more people to turn to the Family Pantry of Cape Cod for help putting food on the table. And thanks to the community’s incredible generosity in the last three months, the Pantry has been able to meet that demand, adapting to a drive-through pantry model for COVID-19 safety and expanding its mob...

HARWICH – It is a project more than 10 years and considerable effort in the making, and on June 25 the excitement among the small gathering of supporters and nature enthusiasts was palpable as the Harwich Conservation Trust’s Muddy Creek Headwaters Preserve was officially opened as a new and evolving trail. Located at 33 Church St., the property originally belonged to the Marini family, as Don Marini explained...