EXTRA...

NStar: dumb as a tree; Mashpee park rumble; Trash flow control; Flaggers; Vampire Expo @ 4Cs; Antique dealer wants to rescind precious metal bylaw; The march of the McMansions

TODAY's quote: "We want this to be a place for enjoyment and quality recreational use,and not a place for intimidation, harassment." - Mashpee PD Chief Rodney C. Collins.

Oh hum, after a bath on a hot July day, Koko and Simba seem ready for a nap. Photo by W. Brooks.

With Signs Of History Repeating, Town Cracks Down At Attaquin Park In Mashpee

Town, Tribe officials meet to discuss a response to troubles at the Mashpee Pond Park. As evidenced by last month's stabbing at the park by alleged assailant Troy M. Monteiro of Hyannis the park may be in the midst of a problematic period... Mashpee Enterprise.

Falmouth Board of Health Enforces Flow Control Law

Commercial haulers will have to comply with regulation to bring trash to Upper Cape Regional Transfer Station. Falmouth Enterprise.

Flaggers: Savings, But Not At The Cost Of Safety
Massachusetts' use of civilian flaggers is saving the state money, without compromising safety. Enterprise.

Cemetery crash lands woman behind bars
Megan Bryan, 22, Wellfleet, crashes through cemetery fence, hits 9 headstones

A single-car crash in a Cape Cod cemetery landed one woman under arrest Saturday morning. Wellfleet police responded to the accident on Cahoon Hollow Road at 3:49 a.m. When they arrived, they found that a car had crashed through a stone and metal fence surrounding the Duck Creek Cemetery.

Police said the driver, Megan Bryan, 22, of Wellfleet, had been traveling northbound on Route Six when she crashed through the fence. Authorities said Bryan then struck nine headstones before coming to a stop. Bryan was placed under arrest for operating under the influence of alcohol... WCVB.
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NStar offers new Christmas Tree
"I think that I shall never see,
  a pol as pretty as a tree"

Brewster's unofficial "Christmas tree" may soon have company. The tree, an elderly white spruce, was threatened with the ax last June when the town planned a redesign of the Stony Brook and Satucket road intersection only to survive when 250 supporters packed a town hall hearing to protest.

But just a month after that, contractors hired by NStar to keep the electric lines clear, chopped a chunk out of the top of the tree, which stands on a grassy island at the intersection. So the utility is offering a new tree, and selectmen are contemplating accepting it... The Cape Codder.
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Harwich antique dealer wants to rescind precious metal bylaw
Sandy Hall says new law will put dealers like her out of business

The precious metal bylaw that was approved in May designed to curtail fencing of stolen valuables is being eyed for a rewrite and may be cause for calling a special town meeting.

At the very least, Police Chief William Mason has informed one antique dealer that the police department will not enforce the new bylaw until amendments can be written and presented to voters.

Sandy (Daniels) Hall, a former selectman and owner of Windsong Antiques on Route 28, is circulating a petition to rescind the bylaw that was approved in a special town meeting in May.  She said if that bylaw is implemented, she might as  well close her doors... Chronicle (Harwich edition).
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Vampire Expo coming to Cape Cod Community College July 30

First came "Dracula," then "Interview With a Vampire." Now, with the wildly successful trilogy "Twilight," it seems vampires are as popular now as ever. The Cape and Islands Paranormal Research Society will present two leading researchers in the field at a "Vampire Expo" July 30 at Cape Cod Community College.

Speakers will be Dr. Michael E. Bell author of "Food For The Dead - On the Trail of New England's Vampires," and Rosemary Ellen Guiley, ghost hunter and author of 42 books on paranormal and mystical subjects.

The event is from 5 to 9 p.m.; doors open at 4:30 p.m., in Lecture Hall A. Admission is free but donations ($5 per adult requested) will be welcome... The Cape Codder.
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The march of the McMansions

In countless Boston suburbs, the green movement and even the recession have been unable to halt the practice of demolishing Capes and ranches to make way for monster-size homes...

All this might signify that the owners are an older couple, with kids out of the house, probably with a vacation home, likely on Cape Cod or in Florida, and they are in no hurry to sell their Boston home, but perhaps could be persuaded... Globe.