HARWICH — Swimmers along Earle Road Beach panicked last Wednesday after a fin was seen cutting through the waters just offshore. There were 30 to 40 bathers swimming and wading near the shore, and four kids headed for the buoys that mark the outer swimming limits at the beach. But quick action by lifeguards quickly defused the situation and prevented any injuries. Maureen Condon said she was in the water at...

HARWICH – The water/wastewater commission has put in place a mandatory outdoor water ban effective Aug. 1 based on deteriorating drought conditions and complaints received by the water department about low water pressure. The mandatory ban suspends use of all automated water irrigation systems until further notice, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Daniel Pelletier said.  Hand watering is allowed between the ...

HARWICH – Parking was the major topic of discussion as the planning board began its review of the 575 Route 28 mixed-use project in Harwich Port. Property owner Dennis Miller has made site plan adjustments, tying two additional lots to the project to expand parking. With the town planner position vacant, former town planner David Spitz, who served in that capacity from 2009 to 2016, stepped in to consult with ...

EAST HARWICH — The 236-acre Hawksnest State Park serves a critical role in protecting sensitive resources including rare habitats. It's a little-known jewel tucked in a corner of East Harwich. More than 50 years ago, however, there were different plans for Hawksnest State Park. The state Department of Natural Resources' initial design called for a two-phase approach for acquisition of land and the addition of ...

HARWICH – Selectmen have called a special town meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 27 to address two funding issues. One relates to the $700,000 surplus the town will be getting from the approval of an amendment to the Monomoy Regional School District agreement allowing each town to fund its own elementary school. The other warrant article relates to the acquisition of property rights and easements to facilitate ...

HARWICH – The conservation commission is assessing the steps it will take in leasing the 33-acre Main Street (Kelley Road) property when the current lease expires in November. The lease is now held by Leo Cakounes, who said he has an interest in pursuing another lease of the site, which includes 10 acres of cranberry bogs and 23 acres of upland. Cakounes said he wants to work with Cape Cod Regional Technical H...

HARWICH – The artificial reef constructed 2.2 miles south of Saquatucket Harbor in 2016 converted a section of baron sea bottom in Nantucket Sound into a thriving recreational fishing spot.  A barged owned by the Robert B. Our Company was stationed over the reef last Wednesday morning loaded with granite and concrete. The Harwich-based company has been working with the state Division of Marine Fisheries ...

HARWICH – The Mini Love Walk returned last week, raising twice as much as anticipated to help local families pay for childcare and preschool. After two years of COVID-19 virtual fundraising, pre-school kids were walking on the Sisson Road sidewalk once again, raising funds for The Children’s Center.  The Children’s Center is the pre-school program established by Harwich Ecumenical Council for Hous...

Twenty-nine year old Matt Hamilton grew up in Chatham, but his hometown feelings extend to Harwich as well. Today, Hamilton works as Harwich Conservation Trust's Geographical Information Systems intern, using HCT's computer mapping program to identify lands in need of protection, chart land stewardship steps, and mapping trails, all in the landscapes which played such a formative role in his childhood. “Althou...

HARWICH – There will be new faces in administration at the Harwich Elementary School when the doors open for another school year in September. Monomoy Regional School District Superintendent Scott Carpenter last week announced the hiring of Dr. Christie Cutone as the new principal. She will be replacing Principal Mary Oldach who left at the end of the school year to take an off-Cape administrative position. ...

HARWICH – The Big 3 Fishing Tournament out of Wychmere Harbor and Harwich Port Boatyard July 8 raised $655,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and Islands. The proceeds from the ninth annual fishing tournament help support the youth mentoring organization that serves more than 300 kids on the Cape and Islands. The tournament was the organization's largest fundraiser, setting a record for the mos...

HARWICH – In the days leading up to the annual town meeting in May, there was back and forth over whether new full-time staff positions should be authorized by the approval of a warrant article. In those discussions Selectman Larry Ballantine said that was a standard practice of previous boards of selectmen. But Town Administrator Joseph Powers said his research indicates that has not been the case in recent y...