Cape & Islands News

Filling in the Chatham break; Harwich fireworks a-go; Harwich water damage & coerced firing restitution

Lower Cape News for the towns of Chatham and Harwich, May 31, 2007

Headlines from the Cape Cod Chronicle:
CHATHAM
Drafting battle plans against erosion
Although the new inlet to Pleasant Bay is currently not a problem, local residents are not waiting around until it becomes one.

If conditions met, Sou'Wester can be demolished
If the developer of the project meets certain criteria, the historic business district commission voted that the Sou'Wester building may be demolished.

Couple saves tiny cottages
They are a thing of yesteryear, the tiny one room vacation cottages that used to dot the peninsula. Today they are a thing of the past having given way to condo conversion or room for larger building structures. New owners Ann & Ward Brown have no intention of redeveloping the property.

Marina owner, Harbormaster spar
Chatham selectmen have asked the town manager to review fees charged to the public for access to public documents.  This in light of recent complaints hurled at the harbormasters office by marina owner David Oppenheim.

Archaeology survey planned
A "reconnaissance level survey"  has been planned to identify both known and probable archaeologically significant sites in Chatham. It is hoped that the survey will help the town ensure that these historical sites will be preserved and protected in the future.

No ORVs on South Beach--yet
Despite rumbling by ORV enthusiasts, the town has yet to open the stretch to ORVs.  A dialogue is open, but it is not known when or if the area will be opened.  Chatham police chief Mark Pawlina said patrols of the area will be increased. 

Chatham A's, Park commission wrangle
It could come to blows for the Chatham A's Association and the Parks & Recreation Commission over issues such as food concession and the number of Chatham students who will be allowed to attend the baseball clinic at no charge.

HARWICH
Former rec director seeks settlement for coerced departure
Ann Schweizer's attornery is seeking restitution for what he is calling a coerced departure and a violation of Schweizer's rights.  The former director is seeking to either return to her position or have the town pay damages.

Harwich's Patrick Blute gets world leadership recognition
The world is his oyster.  The Harwich High junior has "a lot of goals" including being on Saturday Night Live or being president.

Water damages payment sought
A February water main break, undetected for hours washed away 140 feet of street and the neighbors most impacted thought the town would make good on the damages.  Not so says property owners Allan and Martha Campbell of Sea Street who estimate the damage to be between $30,000 and $35,000.

Laptops for students under consideration
Harwich High School considers providing each senior with a laptop.

Festival gets Red River Beach approval for fireworks
Harwich Cranberry Festival fireworks got a major approval when they received approval for a launch site at Red River Beach. 

Read the rest of the Cape Cod Chronicle here.

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Headlines from the Harwich Oracle:
Season Outlook
The outlook for the Lower Cape's tourist season still looks a bit hazy at this point.  Some hotels are reporting strong bookings while others say the phone just isn't ringing. Ever rising gas prices are also playing their part.  A true glimmer of hope, however comes with the  international market as it looks like foreign visitors could help with the glut.

Thacher bids 'adieu'
It's harding going out on top, but this year's baseball tourney with Harwich is Fred Thacher's last.  "I'm 57 years old and it's really time to do something else and spend a little time with my family", says the veteran coach.

Water safety
Cape Cod Harbormasters & the Coast Guard are urging boaters to be safe this year.  Boats should wear life jackets, kayakers should always carry a compass and last year's flares should be checked.  These are only a few of the important safety rules the organizations are getting out there.

Chatham explores filling in North Beach break
The 100 foot break is officially an inlet and the town is looking into dredging and filling it in possibly as soon as July.

Also check out
- The Police Log
- Library Talk
- Chamber Chat

Read the rest of the Oracle here.