Town Notes

Chatham Recycles Drop & Swap November 7th;Truro shellfish beds to reopen; Wellfleet transfer station winter hours; October 31st last day to vote for Yarmouth Reads One Book

Daylight Savings Time: Don't forget to "fall back" this weekend (Sunday, November 1st).  The Wellfleet Fire Department offers the following reminder: while turning back the clock, it's also a great time to change the batteries in all the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

2009 Chatham Recycles Drop & Swap November 7th

The Chatham Recycles Drop & Swap will be held Saturday, November 7th at the transfer station.

What to drop:

• Holiday ornaments & decorations
• Household items including small furniture, lamps, baskets, towels and blankets, dishes, games and tools
• Books, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes
• Bikes
• Clothing and shoes
• Old sneakers (recycled through Nike Recycling Program)
• Crayons (recycled through Crazy Crayons)
• Eyeglasses (donated to the Lion's Club)
• Dog crates (donated Chatham's Animal Control Officer)

What not to drop:

• Stuffed furniture
• Lawn mowers
• Tires
• Propane & gasoline tanks
• Large appliances
• Air conditioners
• Dehumidifiers
• Televisions
• Computers
• Scrap wood

Items that may not be dropped off may deposited elsewhere at the transfer station for a small fee.

Release courtesy of the Town of Chatham.

_____

Truro shellfish beds to open November 8th, Sundays only

Truro's shellfish warden has announced that effective Sunday, November 8, shellfishing will be open on Sundays only until further notice in the following areas:

Pamet Harbor and Pamet River: The waters and flats of Pamet Harbor and the Pamet River east of a line drawn south across the east end of the jetties at the mouth of Pamet Harbor and south of a line drawn east across the creek from Corn Hill Road culvert and west of a line drawn southeast between the old railroad trestle.

Corn Hill Road Creek: The waters and flats of Corn Hill Creek north of a line drawn east across the mouth of the creek, north of the tide gate at Corn Hill Road.

The area south and east of the Pamet Harbor Yacht Club will remain closed until further notice.

Permits, gauges, and regulations may be obtained at the Truro Town Hall, 24 Town Hall Road. Information is available on the Shellfish Department webpage here.

Release courtesy of the Town of Truro.

_____

Final voting ends October 31st for the "Yarmouth Reads One Book" selection

The Yarmouth Town Libraries are in the process of selecting the final choices for Yarmouth Reads One Book. In October, you can participate in the decision. The Yarmouth community will select the book by choosing from among one of three titles. Community voting will end on October 31, 2009.

The three finalists for Yarmouth Chooses One Book are:

Two of the titles (War Dances and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian) are by the same author, Sherman Alexie. The selection committee felt strongly about his work and hopes to introduce him to a wider audience.

The third selection is the groundbreaking history book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown.

You may cast your vote at the South Yarmouth, West Yarmouth and Yarmouth Port Libraries, the Yarmouth Town Hall, the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce and at Books by the Sea on Route 28 in South Yarmouth. Or you can cast your vote online at www.yarmouthlibraries.org.

Release courtesy of the Yarmouth Town Libraries.

_____

Wellfleet transfer station announces winter hours

Until further notice, the Wellfleet transfer station will be open Friday through Tuesday from 8am to 4pm. 

Last recyclables will be accepted at 3:30pm.

The transfer station is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Release courtesy of the Town of Wellfleet.

Leave a comment »

Barnstable vessel auction; Orleans ORV trails remain closed; Brewster flu shot clinic Wednesday; Provincetown shellfishing begins 11/1

Barnstable vessel auction October 30th

The Town of Barnstable will be holding an auction for vessels removed from Ropes Beach, Cotuit on Friday, October 30, 2009, at the Marine & Environmental Affairs Office, 1189 Phinneys Lane, Centerville.

Viewing will be from 9:00am - 11:45am at this location. Sealed bids for whole vessel(s) only will be accepted until 11:45am with the award announced at noon. Whole vessels must be removed by 5:00 pm October 30, 2009.

Vessels include a Hobie Cat, Skimmar Skiff and Starcraft Skiff.

Any questions call 508-790-6273.

Release courtesy of the Town of Barnstable.

_____

Orleans ORV trail update - trails remain closed

The Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Trails North (Nauset Spit) and South continue to remain closed to vehicle traffic with the exception of camp owners.

There has been considerable erosion due to the last two Nor'Easters and moon high tides.

Currently there is no front berm to drive on and there is considerable water in the back trails.

No camps were damaged in Orleans, but unfortunately Bill Hammatt's camp in Chatham was moved off its foundation into the small inlet.

There was considerable dune loss between Trail #1 and Trail #2 and between Trail #5 & Trail #7.

The ORV trails will be re-evaluated on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. Visit the town's website for more information.

Release courtesy of the Town of Orleans.

_____

Brewster seasonal flu shot clinic Wednesday

The Brewster Board of Health will conduct a Seasonal Flu Clinic as an Emergency Dispensing Site Drill in cooperation with the Visiting Nurse Association, the Council on Aging and the Local Emergency Planning Committee on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 456 Stony Brook Road, Brewster.

Doors will open at 10:00 AM. Arrival prior to that time is not encouraged. The B-Bus will be available to drive people to the clinic.

Please contact the Health Department at 508-896-3701 ext. 120 so that we may plan for your arrival.

Immunizations will be offered to the following Brewster residents only:

• All Brewster residents age 65 and older.
• Brewster adults with chronic medical conditions.

People who should NOT be vaccinated include:

• Those who have an allergy to eggs that cause dangerous reactions if they
  eat eggs.
• Those who are ill and have a fever should delay vaccination until fever and
  Other temporary symptoms are gone.

Bring Medicare Part B card and supplemental insurance cards to the clinic. Those with insurance will not have a cost. All others will be asked for a donation. For those not wishing to attend a clinic, but whishing to be immunized, please contact your physician.

(Please note: This clinic is for seasonal flu and a separate vaccine will be required to protect against H1N1.)

Release courtesy of the Town of Orleans.

_____

Provincetown shellfishing areas open November 1st

On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the shellfish area east of the west end breakwater will be open to the public. The days allowed are Sundays and Fridays through the end of March 2010, with a ten-quart limit per week.

Licenses, gauges, and a copy of the regulations will be available at the Town Clerk's office, Temporary Town Hall, 16 Jerome Smith Road, after October 20, 2009.

More information available on the Shellfish Department page.

Release courtesy of the Town of Provincetown.

Leave a comment »

Orleans Citizens Forum: Cutting your electric bill; Nauset Beach ORV trails closed; Chatham road paving notice; Dennis street light shut off hearing; Chatham seasonal flu clinics canceled

Nauset Beach ORV Trails closed today

Nauset Beach ORV (Off Road Vehicle) Trails North & South are closed, effective Friday, October 16, 2009 through the weekend due to inclement weather.

The trail status will be re-evaluated on Monday, October 19th. 

Release courtesy of the Town of Orleans.

_____

Chatham road paving notice

The Town of Chatham Highway Department will be paving the following streets the week of October 26th: Old Queen Anne Road (Training Field Road to Old Comers Road); Medicine Bow.

A road detour may be needed along Training Field Road and Old Comers Road to bypass the road construction on Old Queen Anne Road. 

A road detour will only be established if necessary as determined by the work conditions and the Chatham Police Department.

Questions should be directed to the Chatham Department of Public Works.

Release courtesy of the Town of Chatham.

_____

Dennis street light shut off hearing

The Dennis Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM in the Selectmen’s Hearing Room at the Dennis Town Office Building, located at 485 Main Street, Dennis, MA on the following matter: Termination of Street Lights.

The process for the lights to be turned off will be to remove the photocell and light fixture will remain but will be inoperable. The general public will have the option to purchase a street light at there own expense by contacting NSTAR.

The list of street lights that are slated to be turned off is available online or at the Town Hall, Senior Center and all Dennis Libraries.

If you would like to appeal the termination of a street light please fill out a street light appeal form that can be obtained at all the above mentioned locations and return it to the Dennis Selectmen’s Office prior to the October 20, 2009 hearing. The public is invited to attend and provide comment.

If you are not able to attend you may send comments to The Dennis Board of Selectmen P.O. Box 2060 So. Dennis, MA 02660 or to WPells@Town.Dennis.MA.US

Release courtesy of the Town of Dennis.

_____

Orleans Citizens Forum hosts dialogue on efficiency and power supply programs

Since its formation more than a decade ago, the Cape Light Compact has plowed new ground with its consumer aggregation programs, helping ensure that ratepayer funds are invested in Cape and Vineyard communities while expanding power supply options.

On Tuesday, October 20, the Orleans Citizens Forum is hosting a discussion on "How to Cut Your Electricity Bill" featuring Kevin Galligan of the Compact and Chris Powicki of WEEinfo Services. The event, from 6pm to 8pm at the Snow Library on Main Street in Orleans, is free and open to the public.

Release courtesy of WEE Info.

_____

Chatham seasonal flu clinics have been CANCELED

The Chatham seasonal flu clinics scheduled for October 22, 2009 and November 5, 2009 have been canceled until further notice.  The clinics have been canceled due to a lack of seasonal flu vaccine supply.

For further information please call the Chatham Health Department at 508-945-5165.

Release courtesy of the Town of Chatham.

1 comment »

Yarmouth street light deadline approaches; Pre-Town Meeting in Wellfleet; Bourne Special Town Meeting; John Mucci named Dennis Employee of the Year; Tax due dates in Orleans

Yarmouth street light deadline approache

In September, the Town of Yarmouth announced that they would be shutting off unnecessary street lights in town. Street lights considered necessary are those located at intersections, sites deemed potentially hazardous by public safety officials or where an incline or a decline in a road may cause a safety hazard.

A list of lights to be shut off is available on the town's website here.  Any citizen of Yarmouth who wishes to dispute a particular turn off may fill out and submit an appeal prior to October 24, 2009.

The town will begin turning off lights that do not meet safety standards or have not been successfully appealed on November 2, 2009.

Courtesy of the Town of Yarmouth.

Pre-Town Meeting in Wellfleet next Monday

A Pre-Town Meeting will be held in Wellfleet on Mnoday, October 19, 2009 at  7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Wellfleet Public Library at 55 West Main Street.

Exercise your right to free speech and learn about town meeting articles.  This unique event gives all voters a chance to state opinions and argue for their point of view.

The Pre-Town Meeting offers information and an informative, free-wheeling discussion.

Bring your Warrants, questions, and opinions to this vital session sponsored by the Wellfleet Community Forum.

The Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Wellfleet Elementary School.

Release courtesy of the Town of Wellfleet.

Special Town Meeting in Bourne scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2009

The Town of Bourne has scheduled a Special Town Meeting on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the auditorium of Bourne High School.

There are 16 Articles on the Warrant including Article 12 regarding wind energy in town. Article 12 calls for a change to the existing bylaws and would apply to any wind energy related structure proposed in town.

The complete Warrant is available for download here.

Release courtesy of the Town of Bourne.

John Mucci named Dennis Employee of the Year

The Board of Directors of the Dennis Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the recipient of the Town of Dennis Employee of Year Award is John Mucci. John is employed by the Transfer Station and Recycling Facility, a Division of the Solid Waste Department of the Town of Dennis.

Each year the Dennis Chamber recognizes an individual employee or department that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to be of service to the town’s businesses, visitors and residents. 

“We received many calls and emails complimenting John for his outstanding service to the people who use the transfer facility,” said Kathy DeMeyer, President of the Dennis Chamber.  “He exemplifies the strong work ethic on display from all the Town of Dennis employees.”

John Mucci received the Dennis Chamber’s Anchor Award on September 30th, at the Town Employee Appreciation Reception hosted annually by the Lighthouse Inn and Resort.

Release courtesy of the Dennis Chamber of Commerce.

Orleans real estate & personal property tax information

The Town of Orleans has announced that FY10 Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills were mailed on Friday, October 9th. The first payment is due on November 9, 2009 and the balance is due on May 3, 2010.

Payments are considered "made" when received by the Tax Collector, not by the postmark date. Payments not made the the appropriate due dates will incur interest at the rate of 14% per annum from the mailing date of October 9, 2009.

Orleans taxpayers are encouraged to make their payments online at the Town's website.

Release courtesy of the Town of Orleans.

1 comment »

West Chatham Village & Business Assoc. Public Forum announced

West Chatham Village & Business Association Public Forum announced

Guiding Chatham’s future while honoring its past

Come Join Us For A Public Forum On West Chatham and Neighborhood/Village Centers. The public forum will be held at 7pm on Thursday, Oct. 15 at Chatham’s Eldredge Public Library on Main Street in the Forgeron Meeting Room. The forum will feature a celebrated board of panelists to discuss the future of West Chatham.

Panel discussion to include:

• Chatham Selectman David Whitcomb — an eight-year member of the Board of Selectmen, former School Committee member and Boston University graduate
• Peter Polhemus and John DaSilva, principals of Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders of Chatham and Osterville--Polhemus, A.I.A, the firm’s president and founder, was educated at Harvard and Goddard colleges, and received a Masters of Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; DaSilva, A.I.A, received a degree in Architecture from Princeton University and a Masters of Architecture from the Yale University School of Architecture
• John Lipman, former Chief Planner and Deputy Director of the Cape Cod Commission, now president of Lipman Development Strategies
• Sarah Korjeff, senior planner and historic preservation specialist with the Cape Cod Commission

The West Chatham Village & Business Associations is a volunteer organization of West Chatham residents, merchants and property owners. We seek to provide public forums to exchange ideas and to discuss related matters of interest and concern, and to provide a vehicle for conveying these opinions to town officials. Our mission is to help guide the development of West Chatham in an effort to preserve the seaside village character of our town in a way that makes for good planning. Your support and involvement in this public discussion is essential.

Preserving Chatham’s Unique Character Takes Vision & Hard Work:
Taming the traffic and improving the streetscape along Route 28 will create the proper environment for a neighborhood/village center in West Chatham. Priorities along Route 28 under discussion are: public safety upgrades, enhanced landscaping and period lighting, better traffic management for safer access to and from neighborhoods, a pedestrian friendly environment with a centerpiece village green, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, a bike path extension into the neighborhood/village center, and bike lanes along Route 28 and underground utilities. With the upcoming sewer line and repaving project along Route 28, the time is now to incorporate traffic taming devices and streetscape improvements.

Courtesy of the West Chatham Village & Business Association.

Leave a comment »