For years local officials have been discussing imposing a tax on short-term rentals as a way to even the playing field between the summer rental of private homes and hotels and motels, which now must pay a state-imposed room tax. The rooms tax is currently 5.7 percent, and local towns can add up to 6 percent, though few charge up the limit. Chatham, for instance, currently applies a 4 percent tax to hotel and mot...

“It’s only a shanty In old shanty town The roof is so slanty it touches the ground That tumbled down shack by an old railroad track Like a millionaire’s mansion it’s calling me back.”   Ted Lewis and his band performed the song in 1932 in the movie “The Crooner.” It was a huge hit and became the number one song in the country and stayed there for 10 weeks. Many artists have recorded this great s...

Recalls Old Radar Station Editor: Your article on the expansion of the Union Cemetery at the former site of the Gap Filler SAGE radar installation, ESS Station Chatham, brought back memories of researching my 2007 novel, “Stepping Stones.” In the course of writing, I was able to contact some radar veterans who provided details and some photos of the Chatham site. The two buildings were very rudimentary, and...

The restoration of the South Harwich Meetinghouse is a perfect example of a public-private partnership coming together to benefit the community at large. The historic structure, built in 1836 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was in poor condition when the Friends of the South Harwich Meetinghouse stepped in to oversee its restoration. It's been a long process – 13 years – but finally, la...

Disagrees With 'Restoration' Characterization Editor: With all due respect to Mr. Myers’ letter (“Projects Have Added Value,” March 8), Merriam Webster defines restore as to bring something back to its original condition and/or use. What was done to the Wayside Inn and the Mayflower was not a restoration; it was “Invasion of the Building Snatchers.”   While the exterior may resemble the original, the inside...

He came to us at dusk, or rather, us to him in a parking lot of a motel west of Fall River, on the other side of the Braga Bridge. When I asked if he’d peed yet, Judi said, “Yes, on the way, on my son.” Just about a week earlier, Sofie had been at the Animal Rescue League in Brewster and found a beautiful pointer pup. It had been a regular stop for her, the lover of animals. Sofie could be on fire, running to ...

Yesterday, students across the nation walked out of their classrooms and for 17 minutes honored the students and teachers killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., one month ago. With the Florida students leading the way, young people around the country are protesting the failure of those in government, the adults who are supposed to protect them and our country, to do anything meaningful ...

Living without electricity is fun for a while, but it gets old fast, as thousands of Cape residents can attest after last weekend's nor'easter. While some were fortunate to not lose power, many were out for 24, 36, 48 or more hours, growing colder and losing more perishable food by the hour. If you own a generator, you became the most popular household in the neighborhood. But more and more, communications and...

Projects Have Added Value Editor: Mr. Fulcher’s letter (Feb. 22) castigating Mr. David Oppenheim is mindful of the current dangerous national discourse of incivility, disrespect and divisiveness. I ask Mr. Fulcher to take a step back and think critically about the work of Mr. Oppenheim and his wife, Gail, over many years. Their numerous projects have added value as well as important resources to the town. ...

In 2005, the South Harwich Meetinghouse on Chatham Road barely stood, derelict and forlorn. Beset by ravages of time and vandals, both human and varmint, its future was as shaky as the structure. Along the way, after longtime use by Methodists, and later, Lutherans, it was put up for sale, with no takers. The town eventually bought it, and rudimentary efforts were made to maintain it, albeit in crude fashion – p...

With excavators slated to begin digging Monday, we've already heard some rumblings from Orleans about potential problems related to the downtown sewer project. Main Street merchants are concerned about shoppers being able to access their stores as work continues over the next few months. A few years back, Chatham officials dealt with the same issues during sewer work in commercial areas, and came up with a workab...

Takes Issue With Developer Opinion Editor: In my opinion, we are indeed fortunate to have “David Oppenheim and his kind” in our community! David “and his kind” have been developers...of programs and agencies that have enhanced the quality of life for all in our community. They are programs and agencies that support day care, youth development, the needs of those who might need food, empowerment of women...