This week we're introducing a new column by Susanna Graham-Pye,“The Place Between.” An Orleans resident since age 12, she is a former Chronicle staff member and novelist who currently teaches at the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School. Her column will appear monthly. I’ve heard it said that Orleans folk are “full of ginger.” It’s pretty true if you ask me and I’m one of them. We’re a spunky bunch, up and at ‘...

A program using grant money to purchase large oysters from local oyster farmers and pay to have the oysters shucked, packaged and frozen and donated to food pantries is helping everyone along the line – from the farmers to food-insecure people. “This program not only provides much-needed relief to our local oyster farming industry, it also provides seafood protein to our clients,” says Gennie Moran, chief oper...

ORLEANS — Is it worth it to the citizens of the four member towns of the Nauset school system to pay for a revamped high school that will serve their children but also hundreds of students from other Cape communities which will not help pay for the project? That’s a question that has caused deep divisions in Brewster, Eastham, Orleans, and Wellfleet, including split votes on a couple of finance committee...

ORLEANS — Moving ahead on collecting and treating wastewater required buy-in from a wide variety of town committees and other groups of citizens. Now some are feeling the need for a professional coordinator devoted to monitoring progress and keeping everyone on track as initiatives expand to encompass areas outside downtown, including ponds, and innovative treatment methods. “There are a lot of policy decisi...

ORLEANS — The conservation commission is ready to approve an alum treatment for impaired Uncle Harvey’s Pond. The board closed public comment Feb. 16 and scheduled a vote on an order of conditions for March 2. The treatment, recommended in a study by the UMass Dartmouth Coastal Systems Group that was seconded by the town’s marine and freshwater quality committee, would reduce available phosphorus in the pond...

Robert L. “Bob” Shafter, age 89, of Chatham (and, formerly, New Canaan, Conn.) passed away peacefully on Thursday February 4, 2021. Born on June 9, 1931 in Freeport, Long Island to Ruland and Helen Shafter, Bob graduated from Cranwell Preparatory School in Lenox in 1949 and Georgetown College in 1953 with a degree in History and Government. He also earned his LL.B. from Georgetown Law in 1958, following active-du...

 John James Fitzgerald (Jack), 79, of Harwich, formerly of Chatham, passed away in the comfort of his home on Monday, February 1, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 23, 1941 in Norwood to Captain John James and Marion R. (Lyons) Fitzgerald, Jack lived his life on his own terms and dedicated to his family. The oldest of four children, Jack grew up in Roslindale and began his life’s journey as a decora...

John Alexander Scott, long-time resident of Chatham, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at age 79. Ian was born to Irish immigrants John and Evelyn (Hughes) Scott in New York City on December 19, 1941.  He grew up in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens, as well as in Dublin, Ireland.  Ian changed his legal name to John as a teenager. He graduated Xavier High School in Manhattan in 1960, revel...

Plans For Reuse Are Still Developing CHATHAM — Twice before, the town of Chatham declined opportunities to take ownership of the historic Coast Guard Boathouse that once watched over Stage Harbor. Members of the select board weren’t about to turn down a third opportunity, vot ing Tuesday to accept the donation of the building and effectively saving the structure from demolition. It appears feasible tha...

CHATHAM – The historic business district commission last week cleared the way for the demolition of five buildings on the former Monomoy Theatre property, but the owner said that none of the structures will be razed until town boards issue final approval for six single-family homes on the 2.7-acre parcel. Chatham Productions plans to divide the land into two separate properties. The 776 Main St. parcel will in...

It’s simple math: the county is typically receiving just under 1,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine each week. There are an estimated 10,000 Cape residents aged 75 and older, and each will need two doses of the vaccine. Unless the supply of vaccine increases markedly, it won’t be until June that all 20,000 doses are administered and the vaccine can begin going to seniors 65 and older. “It’s a system that pits e...

CHATHAM – Recognizing that more resources need to be put into securing affordable housing, the community preservation committee endorsed a $1 million contribution to the town's affordable housing trust fund, $200,000 more than town officials requested. The committee recommended voters approve seven other requests for community preservation funds. Those requests, as well as a dozen other community preservation ...

Focus On Middle Road And Private Land CHATHAM — When it comes to housing, it’s all about location, location, location. Or is it? In its drive to create affordable and attainable housing in town, the select board once again finds itself pulled between the need to act quickly and the desire to find the best possible locale. The board heard presentations last week on a half dozen town-owned parcels where ...

CHATHAM – Cory Metters has taken out nomination papers for a third term on the select board. “I still very much enjoy being involved,” Metters said about serving on the board. With several major projects pending and recovery from the pandemic likely to be a major concern in the coming year, “I don't think this is the time for me to step away,” he said. The three-year terms of Metters and Dean Nicastro are u...

Morris Island Bluff Also Takes A Beating CHATHAM – The Feb. 2 Groundhog Day storm significantly widened a major washover on North Beach Island and continued to eat away at the bluff at the Morris Island headquarters of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. Pavement around the National Weather Service building on Morris Island was removed just prior to the storm to prevent it from tumbling down the bluff. Th...