CHATHAM — The tangled conflict between neighbors, first responders and the parking public at Cow Yard town landing has inspired the select board to commission a new advisory panel. The new town landing parking advisory committee will be charged with devising a comprehensive strategy the town can use to manage parking conflicts at various shoreline access points around town. Following a lengthy discussion last...

New Book Recalls Days When Chatham Was Truly A Fishing Village CHATHAM – With his new memoir “Over the Bar,” Joseph Nickerson evokes life in the Chatham fishing community of yesteryear — and we’re all richer for his collected recollections. “Most of the community was somehow or at some time involved as part of the fishing community,” Nickerson said during an email interview last week. “Most of that is gone ...

Into Area Eyed For Senior Center CHATHAM – The section of the town-owned Marconi campus under consideration as a site for a new senior center is outside of the property's National Historic Register District boundary. But there may be archaeological and historic resources within that area that deserve protection. That's the view of some members of the historical commission, which is considering asking the Ma...

CHATHAM – Officials are hoping to convince the state department of environmental protection that the town's comprehensive wastewater management plan, which covers nearly the entire community, should serve as a watershed permit under proposed revisions to Title 5 septic regulations. Draft state Department of Environmental Protection regulation will require homeowners in watersheds to nitrogen-sensitive coastal ...

Alan Rust first met MichaelJohn McGann on the second day of classes in the Actors Studio Program at Ohio University. The subject of the class was fencing, and Mr. McGann walked up to Rust in full fencing regalia and quoted a line from “Gone With The Wind.” “I thought who in the world is this?” Rust recalled. “I spent the next 50 years getting to know who he was.” Mr. McGann, who acted in or director dozens ...

CHATHAM – The 2022 winner of the Massachusetts Audubon Photo Contest “Picture This,” which had over 7,000 entries, took up photography in 2020 and was only a second-time entrant. Kimberly Robbins of Chatham won the grand prize for her stunning photo of a great egret balancing on one stilt-like leg on a log. Its snow-white wings are raised up, apparently for balance. “As elegant as that egret looked, it slip...

CHATHAM – The long tradition of taking hand counts on close votes at town meeting could be over. A finance committee working group has been studying the prospect of instituting electronic voting at town meetings to improve efficiency and accuracy. So far, the idea seems to have widespread support and could be implemented as soon as this May's annual session. “Every town that has it is happy with it,” Modera...

Southwest winds gusting more than 60 miles per hour and higher-than-usual tides contributed to significant flooding and erosion along the south coast last Friday and Saturday. A 41-foot fishing boat dragged its mooring in Stage Harbor and several people had to be rescued from vehicles stranded in flood waters during the prolonged storm. The east end of Red River Beach in Harwich experienced significant eros...

CHATHAM – In 2022, Chatham, along with the rest of the region, continued to climb out of the pandemic and move toward a semblance of normalcy. The Independence Day parade was back to its usual crowds, fans flocked to Cape League baseball games, and this weekend's First Night returns to form with both indoor and outdoor entertainment. Yet the impact of the pandemic lingered. Town meeting continued to be held ou...

CHATHAM – In its first year, the Dr. Florence Seldin Family Support Program contributed to the preschool tuition of 23 students, lifting a huge financial burden off 23 local families. “It's almost like one of those too good to be true things,” said Doug Lapuc, whose four-and-a-half-year-old son Felix attends the Rocking Unicorn Nursery School. “The cost of living on the Cape and Islands is much greater than mo...

CHATHAM – As many as eight single-family homes could be built on the two-acre parcel along Stepping Stones Road that the select board has targeted for affordable and workforce housing. A preliminary “test fit” by a consultant examined several scenarios for the property, including single-family homes and duplexes. Between eight and 10 units with 20 and 36 bedrooms could be accommodated on the property, accordin...

CHATHAM — First Night Chatham is ready to welcome in 2023 with music, arts, fireworks, food and frivolity. And if you’re among those who love to party but start yawning well before midnight, this year’s celebration is made to order. The town’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration has a schedule packed with concerts, performances and activities, all of which conclude by 9 p.m. While past celebrations incl...