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The CHAT-M-Room
on Cape Cod, MA
(Town Common)

Established on Jan 27th, 2005

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2006	01 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 05 - 06 - 07 - 08 - 09 - 10 - 11 - 12
2007	01 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 05 - 06 - 07 - 08 - 09 - 10 - 11 - 12
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2016	01 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 05 - 06 - 07 - 08 - 09 - 10 - 11 - 12
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Click Here to add your comments to the CHAT-M-Room (Town Common)

Jim,Richard & Alan
I use the VA Outpatient Clinic in Hyannis and found them to be
very helpful, caring and they bend over backwards to help vets.
It's a system and one has to work with it.
Nothing is perfect.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL in the room !
Bill B.
Chatham
Bill B <bbantiqs@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 12/22/2024 - 12:38:23

gotta concur with Richard. I will NOT use VA as they are incompetent buffoons (at least here). I use what Richard uses and have TriCare for life. We chose to go out of network for your Doctors and use the UT health System which is extraordinary. Doc visits cost me 50 bucks a pop but tricare picks up the rest. I am very pleased with this option, especially when we hear what regular folks have to pay for health insurance.

Active duty families pay nothing for health care as it is part of the package. You'd be surprised how accommodating the system is for families. I also recommend young men and women to join the military. At least jump in and do an initial tour.

The GI Bill now pays for room, board, books, tuition, AND pays you at the rate of an E-5 while you are going to school!!! You can't beat that at all!! Get paid to go to school.
Jim
USA - Sun 12/22/2024 - 07:19:21

My Health Care comes through TriCare for Life, not the VA. I only relied on the VA for a set of hearing aids, which were top of the line. I did have to pay $80.00 for each visit, but that is the only time I've had to pay for such things since I retired in 1979. I have had open heart surgery, two knee replacements, a pacemaker, gall ladder surgery, etc. partially paid by Medicare and backed up by Tricare for Life as the secondary payer.
I try to encourage young persons, male or female, how much such things could mean as they age if they just would sign up and do 20.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 12/21/2024 - 19:15:33

Jim /Richard
yes the VA can be great and understand insurance is second to none, however and hopefully you and the family will never cross this bridge, but you might find that experimental drugs, not approved by the
FDA may not be covered. key word not approved.
Alan
USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 21:19:59

Alan, appreciate the thought. It HAS been slow in here. Just too much wrong with that story. In uniform; sitting in first class (prohibited in uniform unless upgraded on the spot); two extra jobs, no health care, etc....etc.

There's a LOT of issues being in service to the Nation but the health care was pretty good.

Wish I could say the same for the VA but so far as I am concerned, they are a criminal organization.
Jim
USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 20:50:10

I just thought since the room was slow, I would throw that sort out there. Other than that say what you wish.
Alan
USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 20:20:01

Dave - fill us in! Many are too busy this time of year to watch every meeting.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 17:32:27

Alan, your made up story is a total WTF moment. What are you smoking?
I could not read through it like Jim P did.
The military retirees like Jim P and myself are recipients of medical care the likes of which I would like to see available for all Americans.
It is doable.
So many other countries have figured it out.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 17:06:37

Does anyone gave thoughts on the recent historical commission decision on the 200yo house at 50 Stetson Cove Lane? It was covered in their 12/17 meeting.
David Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham , MA USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 16:57:18

Nice story but totally made up, inaccurate, and false. The children of active duty Soldiers are covered for ALL their health care.

It is one of the benefits that are worth their weight in gold. I knew that no matter what happened to me downrange, my wife and kids had good health care.
Jim
USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 14:45:16

A Christmas miracle story, thank you Alan.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 14:02:09

over the nest to weeks, `Helen works as diligently as possible to help Sam and his daughter, actually calling Disney to bring up some Disney characteers including princess Bell, but also takes it a step further. `Helen arranges with hospital personnel to create a castle in Sara's room to actually make her feel like she is princess Bell. ``Helen sets this unbelievable go to make hundreds of thousands of dollars while continuing to stay in the shadows, especially with Sam, as he is afraid to meet him after what she did on the plane.
Well in the end the Gala dance comes about, Same come to understand what `Helen did for his daughter, and as the gala proceeds, for the first time, Sam goes over and asks whether `Helen would dance til him. the story continues on, where `Helen changes jobs with `meridian and takes on new duties and because of the experimental treatment Sara gets well
Alan
USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 09:26:48

That night, it so happens that Sam is interviewed on the late new by the Boston press, and `Helen sees a short glimpse of who Sam really is and feels to terrible about her treatment on the plane to Sam. During this evening moment, `Helen drops everything she is doing for her job and begins a 2 week effort to work towards Sam's daughter Sara in an effort to sort of redeem herself, `oh yea-really. During the interview , `Helen learns that Sara is currently undergoing an expensive, experimental treatment which is not covered by insurance. `Helen happens to have extremely good negotiating skills and is very good at that she does. now feeling awful inside her, she decides she want to financially assist Sam and Sara and not with just a go fund me page. `Helen learns from the nurses at the hospital that Sara is in critical condition but as a 6 year old, Sara eats and sleeps `princess Bell. `Helen decides that while only having 2 weeks in Boston, she is going to establish a massive Gala in the Boston `hospital, all the while Sam knows nothing of this
Alan
USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 09:16:07

Sam, on the other hand is clutching a picture of his 6 year old daughter who has cancer and is being and is keeping his cool. Sam is working 2 other jobs, other than being in the military to pay for his daughter's treatment up in Boston. So Sam manages to get out that `I paid for my ticket myself. `Helen sees him clutching the photo of his daughter and asks whether he asking for some additional sympathy. All the while, Sam allows her to be abusive and says nothing though out the flight with `Helen occasionally is taking a look over at Sam, thinking how did I ever get into this situation with this loser. When the flight arrives `Logan, both deplane, each attempting to avoid each other, but both heading to baggage claim so this is difficult. `Helen is heading to her hotel to prepare for her pharmaceutical conference while Sam is destined to visit his daughter in the cancer hospital where he is well known
Alan
USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 09:03:51

Folks since the room has been a bit slow lately, wished to provide this story about a wounded Afghanistan vet onboard a flt from Houston to Boston. And yes there are 100's of stories out there that could be claimed like this one, but think I can explain this fictional narrative documentry is captivating. so here goes:
"SSgt Sam" is sitting in his first class seat in uniform, when this equistily dressed and very attractive Sr. `Pharma `Helen `Martinez Rep from `Merridian`Pharmaceutical' comes aboard her first class seat. She finds herselff sitting next to this grungy soldier, in uniform and begins a rant of arrogant abusive conversation starting out with oh, `I see you are in uniform, what are you looking for, sympathy, thank you for your service, who paid for your seat, some charitable organization. When's the last time you showered?
Alan
USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 08:52:58

Sorry about the somewhat redundant post. As you can see, it took a couple of hours for the order final one to appear.
Jill James <Theron1962@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 12/20/2024 - 08:51:47

In 1910 my grandfather Francis James, his wife Belle and their two oldest children Thelma and my father Howard came here from Gay Head (Aquinnah), MA. He was a surfman with the USLSS and transferred from Martha's Vineyard to the station at Monomoy Point. He and Belle had six more children and Frank aka Flutie or Wamsutta was the seventh child and the youngest son.
Jill James <Theron1962@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 12/18/2024 - 23:18:44

Jill, mom taught with your Uncle Frank at Nauset High. I remember him playing in the orchestra for some of the Highlander's musical productions.
Carol C
Loleta, CA USA - Wed 12/18/2024 - 21:49:02

My grandfather Francis James came here from Gay Head (Aquinnah), MA in 1910 with his wife Belle and their two oldest children, Thelma and my father Howard. He transferred from the Life Saving Service there to Monomoy Point. He and Belle had six more children and Frank was the seventh child and the youngest son.
Jill James <Theron1962@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 12/18/2024 - 20:50:05

One of his relatives served as a Life Saver on the Vineyard or Cuttyhunk before coming to serve at Monomoy or Monomoy Point.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 12/17/2024 - 17:36:17

On the rear bumper of Frank "Flutie" James' car - "Custer Had It Coming".
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 12/16/2024 - 17:54:05

Jared, I think it would be beneficial if you wrote a "You Guest It" column about Frank James for the Chronicle. He was quite a presence here in Chatham and in the schools, particularly. Very nice man who stood firmly behind his beliefs.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 12/16/2024 - 12:58:49

Merry Christmas to all of you as well.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 12/16/2024 - 12:34:43

Jared. You sound like a great parent. I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas.
Thomas L Doane <tommydoane@comcast.net>
WEST CHATHAM, MA USA - Sun 12/15/2024 - 22:41:56

Thank you Jared for honoring Chatham history and the iconic characters we arll grew up with and remember. You are teaching your girls such wonderful stuff...... the new folks just don't seem to get or care about. I hope to be home for good in a few months.....bout time.....from my Mayflower heritage to my grandparents honeymoon at Mariah's House in 1860 .....Wish me luck.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Rancho Mirage, CA USA - Sun 12/15/2024 - 19:27:05

I took one of my daughters with me today to the Atwood House (the one time a year I stop in). There was a nice fire in the keeping room and I had a good long talk with my former art teacher, Linda Simonitsch who has long been a guide there. Walking through the "music room" in the old house, one familiar face jumped out at me from a photo on the wall. There's a nice display about Frank James and his talents as a musician. The guide never knew him, so I told her how he could play any instrument he was handed and about the models he built and detailed oil paintings he did. Dad told me about tuna fishing out of Menemsha years ago with Skip Hall, Mike Reece and Frank. He said at dusk, Frank lit up his trumpet across Menemsha Harbor with Taps, to applause. I was fortunate to have known Frank and to be audience to his musical performances.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 12/14/2024 - 15:20:39

Apparently, it has been a very dull week in Chatham.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 12/14/2024 - 09:38:52

Harwich - Wequassett I think - Christmas Celebration. May be somewhere else but I saw the sign today on 137 for them
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Sat 12/07/2024 - 18:57:12

Anyone know who is doing the fireworks I hear. Saturday around 6pm.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 12/07/2024 - 18:05:30

Send me an email if you want to know what's up with the CG36500. I seem to be cut off before I finish what I want to send via the ChatRoom.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 12/07/2024 - 17:24:33

In reference to Ms. Gibbs post, when this chat room was first set up, its main purpose was to establish a place where folks could share their memories and experiences of days in Chatham gone by. Politics was discouraged. It seems now we have done a 180 degree turn from that original purpose.
I like the history better than the contentious feelings brought about by local politics. Just my opinion.
Tony Murphy
USA - Sat 12/07/2024 - 09:20:28

I want to give a shout out to the Zoning Board. They were incredible this past week and prevented two huge homes from being built . One of these homes was on my street and was way too big for the lot and not keeping with the character of the neighborhood. The individual that purchased the property didn't perform his due diligence on what could potentially be built there. He has let the property basically rot since he bought it- no landscaping, no nothing. He thought he was just going to knock it down and build an obnoxious house and he was stopped. This is what's happening in this town and thankfully this was stopped.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Sat 12/07/2024 - 07:29:26

The Judy
You would be surprised at what I know, however I do agree u are way ahead of me..
In NJ, yes where I spend some of my time. Do you think Gov't runs any too differently than Chatham. Forgive me,You are operating out of a toy store compared to what happens here in NJ. Even when media hosts bring out the ugly, the nonsense still goes on, but you are on the right track. There are/were 2 (two radio personalities down here, who concentrated the negative, one is a vet marine who routinely exposes the fake news and all the junk happenings, the other, unfortunately has passed,who believed the only way you can " clean up all the bull," -he had a slogan-GET RID of Incumbant politicians (GRIP)! Meaning whether someone is good or bad, they are "one termers." Agree or disagree, there may be more than something to this philosophy
Alan
USA - Fri 12/06/2024 - 00:11:45

I was asked by two ChatRoom folks to tell about the Thanksgiving Coot Shoot. Seventy five years ago, it was. What happened after that was nothing I had any control over. If you folks want to talk about different subjects, then go for it.
What do you know about the Surfman's Half Way House? What do you remember what happened in Chatham after WWII was over? I was there.
Did you have a tape recording of Joe Nickerson ? I do.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 12/05/2024 - 18:00:10

Thank you Elaine and John!
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Wed 12/04/2024 - 15:27:12

John Whelan: I agree. Chatham has many issues directly impacted all of us. I'd recommend they email each other privately so that important issues are not lost in these endless discussions.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 12/04/2024 - 11:27:13

Alan - you really have no idea what goes on behind the scenes here. The Larry's accident, while absolutely tragic, is just the tip of the iceberg. It is reported in the Chronicle today as Tim said it would be. It's really too bad more people don't pay attention to Town Government and watch the meetings to see what goes on. You'd be surprised to see what goes on and the way some of these people WE elect vote.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 12/04/2024 - 07:21:22

Now John
I got a chuckle of your duck line. And Judy, like the say at Fenway, a beer here, you can wheel in cart at the next town meeting indicate, "a wine here" or if you are really lucky, you could fix a few double boiler makers with those little liquor bottles and possibly change a few minds.
Alan
USA - Tue 12/03/2024 - 22:01:58

Now John
On got a chuckle of your duck line. And Judy, like the say at Fenway, a beer here, you can wheel in cart at the next town meeting indicate, "a wine here" or if you are really lucky, you could fix a few double boiler makers with those little liquor bottles and possibly change a few minds.
Alan
USA - Tue 12/03/2024 - 22:00:03

Other Police Depts on the Cape report what is happening in their town and who has done what. Chatham always had reports in the Cape Cod Times & the Chronicle. I emailed Tim Wood today and asked why they had stopped. Didn't really get a great answer but when I pressed he said the info on the Larry's accident would be in the paper tomorrow. I'm curious as to how one individual could cause so much damage and pain to so many and still remain anonymous to date. I was also told by an individual very close to me that "we don't want to tarnish the image of the beaucolic town" according to Town officials. Go figure. They hopefully are aware of FOIA!
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Tue 12/03/2024 - 18:58:15

John Whelan, I totally agree. I don't have the power to influence anyone from making a comment on
the ChatRoom. They may be using Facebook or some other site.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 12/03/2024 - 18:56:18

I think that the way folks have stepped up to help the people that find themselves suddenly unemployed because of the accident at Larry's PX is a great reflection on the people of Chatham!
Tony Murphy
W. Chatham , MA USA - Tue 12/03/2024 - 13:39:20

There has to be more going on in Chatham than discussion of eating parts of
a duck.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 12/03/2024 - 13:24:46

I didn't have a chance to edit my last entry . I will correct it when I can see what was published.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 12/01/2024 - 16:51:13

Alan: The most unusual part of a duck I ever ate was the fricasseed head of one, eaten with chopsticks at a Vietnamese wedding. The Navy doctor I served with was the guest of honor, but he outranked me so he insisted I eat what he couldn't. We had to respect the locals you know.

Never got into duck feet.

Haven't been hungry enough I guess.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 11/29/2024 - 16:51:37

Richard
You mean to tell me you didn't have duck's feet fo dessert
Alan
USA - Thu 11/28/2024 - 17:01:10

Sorry, it was around 1950!
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 11/28/2024 - 16:27:04

Just a couple of corrections ......."must have been one other man for each dory. Reed "......
( I don't like it when a word processing program takes over what I want to say.)
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 11/28/2024 - 16:17:35

Back around 1960 or so, Captain Dave Ryder took the Alice and Nancy down the harbor towing at least one dory, maybe two, on Thanksgiving morning. Along for the ride was myself and my Uncle Reed Wheeler. There must have =been one other na for each dory. Red and I didn't have guns, but we got the stove going in the cabin to heat up our lunch. I believe we made a pot of pea soup.
The mission of the day was to kill as many sea ducks as possible. They were plentiful and easy to bring to the decoys, which were strung out behind each anchored dory. This was in shallow water. The gunner sat on the dory thwart (seat), bent down with his shotgun over his knees, and waited for the sea duck to get close enough to shoot. The function of the large boat was to retrieve the deceased birds with a dip net. We were down stream so the birds all came to us. I believe they would have been eiders but not coots.
Any way, when it came to return to the fish pier, the birds were stacked up in a pile maybe 2 feet deep. There were plenty to go around, as I think that we were not the only boat involved.
There isn't much good to eat on a seaduck, just the breast. One cuts down each side of the breast bone, and removes the breast pieces. They can be salted I am told, but at home we just fried them up medium rare in butter in a deep skillet. You have to be careful not to bite down on lead pellets, and most people used ketchup to cover the fishy taste.
Having been raised to eat what was available, the Ryder household occasionally ate black ducks, Canada geese, rabbits, eels, all manner of fish, lobsters, and even whale meat. (Dad picked some up in Boston when he went to buy fishing gear.)
Happy Thanksgiving to all hands !
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 11/28/2024 - 15:46:51

MMMMMMM, Quahog stuffing today. I can't wait.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 11/28/2024 - 12:13:37

Richard, please tell us the story of the coot shoot.

Happy Thanksgiving to All from the West Coast!
Carol C
Loleta, CA USA - Thu 11/28/2024 - 10:51:46

How did that vehicle manage to go between 2 posts designed to prevent this? If pulling in to park it would have hit one of the barrier posts. They had to split the parking lanes. Could this have been on purpose? See picture in CC Times online. It shows the vehicle in Larry's and the 2 barrier posts..
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 11/28/2024 - 09:50:28

Very serious accident . There is a Go Fund Me for the employee that was seriously hurt and sent to a trauma center. Please donate to Leah Moxam if you are able. We should all count our blessings .
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Wed 11/27/2024 - 20:06:21

I heard the sirens this morning and put on the scanner so I heard about a vehicle going into a building. Thanks John, I did not know it was Larry's. I wonder how that's possible.

It's ironic that in the picture just to the left there is a barrier post.

Photo's are in the online Chronicle for those, like me, who don't have Facebook.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 11/27/2024 - 19:07:30

Very serious accident today at Larry's PX. Pray for the folks that were hurt and let everyone count their blessings this Thanksgiving.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Wed 11/27/2024 - 19:05:03

Jim:
You remind me of the old saying "Faith is the bird that sings while the dawn is still dark".

Perhaps tomorrow I will retell the story of the Thanksgiving "coot shoot" that happened annually down by the Lights.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 11/27/2024 - 16:59:22

From the Chronicle: "A car careened into Larry's PX this morning, injuring several people"
They have pix on Facebook.
J Hallgren
S Chatham , MA USA - Wed 11/27/2024 - 10:41:04

As you were, Very glad to hear from all including Richard and Bill, but woman still quiet, must be preparing for the big dinner with their own "crews" Believe it or not, just trying to have a little fun, CapeCod /Plymouth is at the heart of thanksgiving oh yes can't forget Eastham. in a way, you hold the keys to the holiday. Any one see any pilgrims out there, better get those turkeys on alert
Alan
USA - Tue 11/26/2024 - 19:43:23

Part II of my traffic this morning:

we've got the Turkey and accoutrements ready, and thoughts of past years of Turkey-day in combat zones between having only a canteen cup of freeze-dried coffee in some, to a full-blown turkey-extravaganza flown in via mermite cans in the hinterlands of Iraq. Thoughts wander to those still deployed and will enjoy the range of options just listed.
Jim
USA - Tue 11/26/2024 - 19:09:22

Alan, we're up. Have to get up for "stand to" (everybody awake and pulling security, rucks rigged, gear packed, weapons at the ready) and waiting for daylight to continue the priorities of work. (for the uninitiated, "stand to" is that time of day between beginning morning nautical twilight and daylight. Usually when the French and Indians attack (as with everyone else). It is the riskiest point of the day - allowing the enemy to sneak in close during the night as they await some semblance of daylight to assault.).

The Alamo is still standing, it's been nice here of late - only getting to around 82 degrees or so during the day. Got the Turkey and accoutrements. Sent some notes out to fellow ex-pat Chathamites down here should they need sanctuary for a Thanksgiving meal. Guess we won't have any oyster stuffing, or little necks, or clam pie but it'll work.

Maybe Richard or some of the other folks can give us some remembrances of Thanksgivings past in a smaller town and slower days.

BTW - sent this originally at 0545 or so this morning but there was a glitch in the matrix that John had to fix.
Jim
USA - Tue 11/26/2024 - 19:07:51

Yes, Thanks Alan. I have celebrated Thanksgiving on board the USS Intrepid in Kingston, Jamaica harbor ( we ate from pressed stainless steel compartmented trays) , many Naval Hospitals, including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in Rach Gia, South Vietnam.

By the way,I did make a dive on the USS Chivo, a diesel sub, down to 350 feet.

Alan, your commands sound familiar.

I am thankful for what my wife and I have: A roof that doesn't leak, a warm home, a flush toilet, and whatever food we want to buy and eat. No Bay scallops yet.

So many folks in this world don't have these things we consider normal .
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 11/26/2024 - 17:32:34

Thanks Alan
Been there-done that and have
celebrated Thanksgiving under the North Pole
many years ago, while on board the
USS Theodore Roosevelt SSBN 600.
Happy Thanksgiving to all !
Bill B <bbantiqs@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 11/26/2024 - 11:33:05

Life on the USS Chatham
Reveille Reveille Reveille-up all bunks
General quarters
Down periscope
Con-sonar Possible submerged contact -verify our range to target-rig ship for impact
Aft room. Open outer doors
Dive-set depth at one two zero ft.

Have not heard too much from the targets. Richard where are you are you still dining on the scallops? Judy, Elaine no updates on the screen
By now hope you are preparing the big dinner for your crew
Jim always good to hear what you have to say, same for you Jarad
Silence on the line, rig for silent running for depth charge
John, I see your first out of bed
An early Happy Thanksgiving to all on this site including the real sub crews, protecting us daily
Alan
USA - Mon 11/25/2024 - 20:35:42

Perhaps I exaggerated when I said Dining Room. I think we knew it as the Cafeteria, as there was a cafeteria type line that we all went through. For me, knowing one of the cooks (Burton Ryder's wife) who lived next door to us, was a plus. I think Jenny Cardoza was there as a cook as well.
Lunches were 25 cents, as was a gallon of gas nearby at the local Amoco, Jenny, Gulf, or Esso stations.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 11/21/2024 - 17:31:55

Sorry to read of the passing of Ivan Bassett at age 99, who was involved with so many aspects of the Town of Chatham. I loved the line in his obituary, which said "his hobby was work". He was a monitor in the Dining Room in the basement of the Main Street school when I first knew of him. A gentle soul, one who seemed to care about us kids. I wish that I had known of his experiences aboard the USS Boston in WWII.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 11/20/2024 - 17:28:48

If my latest comments appear to be unedited, it is not due to my age, but somehow a glitch in the system that allows some entries to go before the entrant clicks on Submit.
We all miss the open fields that allowed cows and horses to graze in not only West Chatham but on property across the street from us on Old Harbor Road.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 11/19/2024 - 17:11:46

I hope folks that are concerned about what is going on in West Chatham take time to review the Planning Board meeting from yesterday, Nov. 18th. This was a build out analysis of the future of West Chatham. It is a comprehensive plan of multi, mixed use units. The proposed bylaw is for maximum density of over 400 units over the next 50 years and does NOT include the Buckley property, nor the Meeting House Road property. No regard has been given to water or traffic studies. The entire plan is on the Planning Board webpage in PDF form. They are having these meetings with no regard to the upcoming holidays when folks are not able to be there to comment. Any changes this Board is going to present at Town Meeting needs to be voted down. Please take some time and review the mess they want to make of West Chatham. How these people get away with this type of stuff is beyond my comprehension.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Tue 11/19/2024 - 17:00:35

I am up earlier than normal and saw that Judy had emailed me this morning about a couple of posts. So I deleted the one that broke rules and a followup to it.

As to Wayne and Emily and the double posts: I would remind everyone that it's NOT always the fault of the user! It's even happened to me! I have mentioned this at least twice before. There's a glitch somewhere in the HCoop servers that's occasionally causing a post to get resubmitted at some point in the future...sometimes minutes, hours or more. So please just ignore them and I am presently unable to do anything to fix it, other than at some later time, deleting the duplicates from history and seeing if my contact at HCoop has any clues. The web host I use is a group of nerds who run this low cost service so no real tech support available but for $7 a month, it's a decent setup.
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
S Chatham, MA USA - Mon 11/18/2024 - 08:12:53

Yes, Richard Emily does have a history of double posts. Usually when someone has that sort of problem they get an expert to come and look at their computer and their methods. Stuff like this can be corrected.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 11/17/2024 - 19:35:41

As far as Emily;s latest comment about sewer and water connections in Chatham, I surely have no comment.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 11/17/2024 - 18:25:09

As for as Emily;s latest comment about sewer and water connections in Chatham, I surely have no comment.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 11/17/2024 - 17:06:51

Bill and others....I have been connected to the Town sewer since 1972 when the Town "fathers" decided being close to Main St. our ancient little septics might be polluting Oyster Pond.. DUH....ITS SAND, folks. My Dad used to grumble that he paid for it by the inch. So I put an outside shower beside my 125 yr old Magnolia tree! Win-win.....right ? Nope! I must pay the Town a sewer fee for every drop of the water that goes in the sand to water the Magnolia while NONE of it goes into the sewer. I remember as a small child using the Laies Room at Saks Fifth Avenue (NYC) where you had to put a coin in the door in order to "go". Now, maybe I should have a machine on my shower that accepts dollar bills.......helping Me pay Chatham's water/sewer bills!
Emily
Chatham , MA USA - Sat 11/16/2024 - 20:00:51

I just saw another photo of a seal at the Fish Pier! No ability to comment but why can't we educate the tourists and visitors about this problem? They have ruined the Cape Cod fishing industry! Each one eats 35 lbs of fish a day....that means you don't! Being protected has promoted a population that is NOT cute and has hurt everything Cape Cod used to be.
Emily
Chatham , MA USA - Sat 11/16/2024 - 19:59:41

I totally agree with Emily.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 11/15/2024 - 17:32:33

Eel grass is essential to an ongoing scallop crop.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 11/13/2024 - 17:39:19

This summer, I took my family over Sipson Island to poke around. I couldn't believe how thick the eelgrass was over there. It was nice to see. Not so much on the Chatham side. I imagine there a few scallops lurking about.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 11/12/2024 - 20:03:22

Price of Bay Scallops at Nauset Fish and Lobster has dropped to $34.99 a pound.
A staff person said he had never seen the retail price this low.

Nantucket is having a good year, so this is a case of supply and demand. And, there are scallops being harvested in Cape Cod Bay waters and landed in Orleans. From Wellfleet? Eastham?

Maybe time to take out the old recipe for Scalloped Scallops. Ritz Crackers, scallops, and cream. Yummy!
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 11/12/2024 - 17:22:57

Bruce, unfortunately, it is now down to .047%; less than one half a percent shoulder that burden, the burden to write a check made "payable to the USofA for the amount up to - and inducing - my life."

Almost 77% of our kids no longer qualify for military service: too fat, on drugs (prescribed or otherwise), or have severe behavioral issues.

We must do better for our vets. Maybe take some of the resources we are flooding to illegals and give them to the homeless vets? Our homeless vets, the ones that answered the call from our feckless politicians to go marauding around the globe don't get hotel rooms, free phones, free health care (don't even start with me about the VA!!!), EBT cards, free lawyers, etc.
Jim
USA - Tue 11/12/2024 - 12:14:52

Nothing like spending a whole day thanking the 2% for your freedoms!
Bruce Reddish <Podsqd@mtaonline.net>
Eagle River, AK USA - Tue 11/12/2024 - 09:02:00

Thank you Jim P
Tony Murphy
USA - Tue 11/12/2024 - 08:09:32

Jim P: I don't consider you or myself a "Loser or a Sucker'.'
Can we agree on that?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 11/11/2024 - 17:49:36

Jim P: I thought you would be one of the first to validate the facts.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 11/11/2024 - 17:39:29

Richard, one day....just one day without the politics. Okay? Give the veterans their due and just leave it at the door for one day.

Thank you for your service.
Jim
USA - Mon 11/11/2024 - 17:36:10

None of these men got deferments for Bone Spurs, granted by a podiatrist who paid rent to a Trump.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 11/11/2024 - 17:22:12

Alan: NYC is no place for me to be marching in a Veterans parade, or for any other reason. I have visited the USS Intrepid several times, as I served on that grand ship for two years.
I lost a dear friend, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Richard Gauthier on that ship while we were enroute to VN waters. His loss still brings tears to my old eyes.
We were friends and shipmates.
If Happy is the proper word, I wish a Happy Veterans Day to those I know have served who frequent this site:
Jim P; Barry Fulcher, John Ryder, Robert Ryder, and others who may just be lurkers. I am proud of all who have served: voluntarily, or otherwise. All of my former classmates also served. Namely. John Chamberlin, Carl Olson, Eddie Johnson, Robert Borthwick, Ross Gould, Verne Hunt, and John Pratt.
Navy Mustang.
Navy Mustang Officer
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 11/11/2024 - 16:39:23

Richard
I was watching the New York City Vet parade and thinking of you. And what do I find, you have not checked in. It was a great parade and could have been bette, if you marched in front of the Navy Band.

Jim and others out of Chatham, a salute to you
Alan
USA - Mon 11/11/2024 - 15:52:51

Alan, spot on. I was up there this summer and needed to validate that a water line had been capped. I had to buy two permits - both for 50 bucks. Near as I can figure, one permit was a permit to buy another permit allowing the digging. A permit to buy a permit if you will.......

Mass will never run out of ways to feed the beast.
Jim
USA - Sun 11/10/2024 - 14:11:45

Bill
You should be happy that the folks are not throwing. A DEP. charge on you for $50 or placing a requirement for a permit that must be funded as well
Alan
USA - Sat 11/09/2024 - 13:02:10

Bill
You should be happy that the folks are not throwing. A DEP. charge on you for $50 or placing a requirement for a permit that must be funded as well
Alan
USA - Sat 11/09/2024 - 09:22:49

Bill - That sounds weird. I believe when ours was done that was not the case. You may want to ask around.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Fri 11/08/2024 - 09:42:11

Does anyone know if the scallop supply in Chatham waters was more or less than
prior years?
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 11/07/2024 - 19:07:03

Why did I need to pay an engineer for a whole property sight plan to connect a stink pipe to the sewer line? Lets take a simple thing and make it cost a small fortune. No wonder no one wants to connect.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 11/07/2024 - 16:47:19

Wonderful day!!
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Thu 11/07/2024 - 07:46:02

Me too, thrilled!!
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 11/07/2024 - 05:28:49

Wonderful day!!
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Wed 11/06/2024 - 19:02:35

Incredibly wonderful day.
Jim
USA - Wed 11/06/2024 - 17:05:29

Me Too ! Can't stop smiling.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Wed 11/06/2024 - 15:58:24

I'm as happy as a clam at high tide.
Dick Fulcher <dick.marie@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 11/06/2024 - 14:52:35

What!!! Is no one on here happy except me?
Barry Fulcher <barsyl4041@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 11/06/2024 - 13:02:28

I think we might have gotten $3.00 a pound if we sold them to Bar Cliff Fish Co. who at the time was run maybe by Everett Metters ?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 11/04/2024 - 17:49:28

Sometimes the scallops can be little "gritty" with some fine sand mixed in their shells during the harvesting process. Still have a scallop knife in case anyone makes an offer of some in the shell.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 11/04/2024 - 17:08:04

Was at Rock Harbor this afternoon and saw a boat unload multiple totes of bay scallops. The skipper was complaining that the price to them had dropped recently. Isn't that the way it goes on the waterfront?
Their dredges somewhat resemble the ones we used in Pleasant Bay in the fifties - just much larger.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 11/04/2024 - 16:59:42

I had an amazing bay scallop appetizer at Leonessa in Yarmouth Port on Friday. I thought it was "reasonably priced" at $36. It wasn't on their menu because they weren't sure how long they'd have them.
James J Dempsey <jjd+chatmroom@jjd.com>
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Mon 11/04/2024 - 10:02:13

$50.00 a pound at Nauset Fish and Lobster in Orleans.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 11/04/2024 - 09:42:44

Does anyone know the price for bay scallops?
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 11/04/2024 - 07:49:28

I hope there are lots of scallops in Chatham this year.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 11/03/2024 - 18:51:23

Kinda surprised there have been no comments about the latest Chronicle editorial.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 11/03/2024 - 18:49:31

Had to re-apply due major problem with computer. Ugh.
Bob Ryder <zutcg444@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 11/02/2024 - 08:40:39

Been on here for years.
Bob Ryder <zutcg444@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 11/02/2024 - 08:36:51

There were an estimated 20,000 people at the Wellfleet Oysterfest. No wonder some of them came to Chatham to shop or sightsee.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 10/29/2024 - 18:53:57

Judy
Many of today's younger academic experts "jump" off the work of the the worlds expert MIT's Professor Edgar Schein. Professor Schein took a holistic approach to leadership that included hierarchy of authority, Div. of labor, common purpose and a coordinated effort. Frequently this included career dynamics,interpersonal relationships and above all TRUST.. Elaine's comments at the most recent select board meeting more than hinted upon silent intimidation

Those who support the existing approach show a wisdom of disillusion and frankly speaking a bitter expose of stupidity. I never met Mr. Mettler, but he seems to be on the right track and should continue to awaken his dark thinking collegues

Professor Schein was routinely called upon by the mostsr.. Officers of the US milatery
Alan
USA - Mon 10/28/2024 - 08:54:56

Alan - many of us agree with you. Thankfully two of the Board members that consistently vote for this awful policy will see their terms ending next May. There are ongoing efforts now to see they do not get re-elected.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Mon 10/28/2024 - 07:42:48

Dear Folks
I refer to the article in the Chronical "Split Board backs Early Public Comment" - Gov.'t officials who support this kind of Government are samples of weak leaders. This is not to far away from Sr. Leadership in commercial entities to hide information to keep " Their Power"

If Chatham government chooses to operate like this, at the very least, they should have an open portion at the end of their meetings where individuals who do have a comment to do so with a proposed time limit (ie 5 minutes) time limit per resident. This, even if Gov't opens up select subjects.
Alan
USA - Sun 10/27/2024 - 18:21:46

I guess I am dating myself when I mention Howard Rose. I never met him, but so many other Chatham people did have interactions with him. Chester Eldredge and John Pratt were caretakers for him, and so many others who would answer his calls for help.
His granddaughter did come to visit the Old Harbor Station Life-Saving Museum in Provincetown, and that is where I met her.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 10/25/2024 - 17:34:47

The picture in the Chronicle section Remember When came to me and I forwarded it to Tim Wood. I have been in contact with Nancy Ashkin Smith, a granddaughter of Howard Rose. She sent me other photos which show Howard's airplane parked in front of the Station, facing Pleasant Bay, when the sand was hard enough to allow him to land his plane there.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 10/24/2024 - 18:49:02

Maybe a spillover from the Wellfleet Oysterfest, which ran for two days.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 10/21/2024 - 16:43:26

I could not believe the amount of folks in town. Couldn't even walk on the sidewalks. Great for the merchants .
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 10/20/2024 - 19:42:32

Town was busy yesterday. Looked like the 4th of July.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 10/20/2024 - 08:16:06

OSHA doesn't care who tells them of hazardous working conditions. They will respond to anyone with knowledge of such situations.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 10/17/2024 - 17:40:44

The tragedy referred to by Alan was about a Chatham school teacher,Shannon Hubbard,and her daughter dying in a fire in New York state- story in the latest Chronicle online edition.
Cynthia Moore
South Chatham, MA USA - Thu 10/17/2024 - 09:40:44

A sad story tonight in Chatham Very very sorry for this Family's loss.
Alan
USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 20:53:41

Steve - That's awful. Two are up for re-election in May. I think folks have had enough. Regardless of who notifies OSHA it should be done. You'll never get a worker there to do it. They'd lose their job - regardless of whether it's legal or not for them to be fired.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 20:33:04

The SB ( except for one member) has never responded to our complaints, twenty years worth of letters, and turns a blind eye to the problem. OSHA indeed should be notified by an employee whistle blower. To those who don't know, my wife and I and a group of neighbors worked with Tom Temple in 2019 to come up with the redesign plan that Weston and Sampson created and brought to the board.
steve jesus <Sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 20:05:34

I understand there occurred a house fire with a girl not able to get out and passed. Very sad for this family as there is much more to the story.
Alan
USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 19:46:15

John - what about the money that was already appropriated ? Is that the work being done now? The working conditions there are disgusting and those folks deserve better. Maybe they should be reported to OSHA.

Bruce - I have no idea about your comments. Now that you've mentioned it - it does seem strange.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 19:23:03

Steve, I'm sure you remember that Article 17 at the Chatham Annual Town Meeting
last May did not pass the 2/3rds needed. It proposed redesign and renovation of
the Transfer Station including a new paved floor in the tipping area. Also fixing
the drop-of area. The Select Board voted 4-0 in favor so I guess they can't be
blamed for the current conditions. The negative vote probably means the same
work will cost more money. We need to support the workers at the Transfer
Station by passing this article next May.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 18:23:34

If members of the Board don't go to the Transfer Station, but hire someone to take their trash, then they would not have any empathy for those folks who labor for them. It would seem that the DPW Employees Union would have something to say about rectifying this situation.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 17:42:27

New topic. Over the past several months I've noticed six or seven houses in Chatham being lifted off their foundations, presumably to get new foundations, I'm guessing. There seems to be a lot of this type of work going on. Are all of these foundations crumbling or is there another reason for this? It has to be pretty expensive and these are not McMansions for the most part but normal 3/4 bedroom homes not necessarily near the water. I only ask because there are so many having this done at the same time. Just an observation.
Bruce
USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 16:45:16

Those sanitary engineers at the unsanitary dump...well we pay a hefty price to dump so can't some of that cash flow go towards improving their work conditions??
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 13:32:01

The DUMP is a disgrace to the town of Chatham. The place is thirty years old and desperately needs modernization. The tipping building is a filthy unhealthy mess. The loader drivers have to sit in the machine and inhale the toxic fumes. The floor is constantly soaked with liquid waste that never goes away. In the summer with a southwest wind the stench moves into to neighborhoods north of the dump making outdoor activities almost impossible. The floor was finally cleaned , at our urging this past week with the sludge going I to a holding g tank for pump out. Rob Faley did not know of the last time it was cleaned or pumped out. No other town has such an unsanitary and outdated transfer station. The SB couldn't care less. The lack of guardrails in front of the building, recycle area and swap shop is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Someone getting killed or injured by a runawy vehicle is a neR certainty. The towns neglect and outright lack of caring is a disgrace
steve jesus <Sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Wed 10/16/2024 - 09:09:32

I don't have access to the Chatham Transfer Station as I used to when we shot rats there at the Dump. Large rats, they were.
It would seem to me that the Town of Chatham could find the resources to provide shelter for their employees. Not all the time, but most of the time of their 8 hour shift.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 10/15/2024 - 19:20:52

Emily, I know, and we all know, a great number of thoughtful and polite summer
visitors. I feel they sometimes take a bad rap here. A large number suffer
because of the bad deeds of a few.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 10/15/2024 - 16:27:45

Richard, I think you are right - they "serve," and they do a heck of a job serving the citizens. As a lifelong public servant myself (44 years US Army), I took pride in serving a cause "bigger than myself" and do not take offense at being a public servant. it was my honor to fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves.

You probably look at it similarly with your Navy career.

Since we're at it, my interactions and association this summer with first responders of the town (Police and Fire) was exceptional as well. Great people doing tough work in a constrained environment.

The Town's doing well.
Jim
USA - Tue 10/15/2024 - 08:17:35

Those poor guys have had no shelter from the weather in years. Blazing hot sun and rain, sleet and snow. They are always pleasant and fun to talk with. Hopefully they'll have something halfway decent this winter to shield them from the elements. Just a great bunch of folks.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Mon 10/14/2024 - 18:04:41

Actually, I should have said Public Employees. They are not servants.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 10/14/2024 - 17:39:40

Thanks Jim for your kind , supportive words about some often ignored Public Servants.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 10/14/2024 - 16:58:09

You are 100 percent correct about the crew at the dump! First rate, hard working people!!
Tony Murphy
USA - Mon 10/14/2024 - 16:21:17

Jim, thanks for applauding those hard working guys. They take a LOT of abuse from so many of our entitled summer people! Why can't we all just "play nice"?i
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 10/14/2024 - 11:56:21

Hey, some positive news on the Town: we just spent 3.5 months up there working a project which necessitated almost daily visits to the dump - ranging from depositing household trash to equipment, tires, construction debris, etc.

I have to say the dump/transfer employees were the nicest, most professional, and accommodating people we ran across during our entire visit up there. All too often we were accosted with the Massh*le attitude from many private business employees that thought they were doing us a favor by taking our money.

The dump folks and many of the Town employees with whom we dealt could not have been nicer. They treated us fairly, decently, and pleasantly. They are great ambassadors for the Town and we'll miss seeing them.

The Ace Hardware folks were awesome as well. Met some great people up there and hope to re-engage next summer.
Jim
USA - Mon 10/14/2024 - 10:32:04

Drifting Memories are the stories of a different life and a different time! North Beach connected to Orleans. I tell these stories every Friday afternoon at Joshua and Barbie Nickerson's camp saved and moved to the Atwood House Museum. The gift from their son Jan included every dish, pot and pans, party stuff, fishing and clamming gear etc. what a treasure! A genuine glimpse of the old North Beach way of life post WWII. Sadly it is in need of some funds to make repairs, get rid of rot and powder post beetles.please help if you can! Fran Higgins (our mail lady) did a fabulous job relating the history of both villages out there.......only one left. Come visit me next summer, you will learn a lot.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 10/14/2024 - 06:57:02

I loved that book. Been there, done that, too.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 10/11/2024 - 22:41:37

John Whelan:
Don't forget the book written by Frances Higgins entitled "Drifting Memories" that covers in great detail the various camps on North Beach, and the families who so much enjoyed them. North Beach is SO much thinner now.
Once it was a place that one could drive from Orleans to the tip abreast the Chatham Light. Been there, done that.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 10/11/2024 - 17:51:46

Most know j Hellgren has a home in Fl. And is still in Chatham. There was iis also the " Fl. Lawyer" (sorry but his name escapes me) who contributes to the site, I wish them well. I know John is still in Chatham at the moment, but there is certainly major concern for all
Alan
USA - Tue 10/08/2024 - 21:13:18

There are things being posted that distort the truth. No specific accusations,
but there are many people around who knew Dougie Bohman well. Also her two
living sons. Writing a Chatham history would be a daunting task. I have published
4 books, all with more limited scope, and the effort required is huge. Richard
is working on what he remembers is more reasonable. Rob Carlisle, who is
deceased, was a professional writer and did an excellent job on the areas of
Chatham history he wrote about.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 10/07/2024 - 19:16:00

Wow, what has happened to our Town? Douglass Ann Bohman was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and the flags are not at half staff? She died Friday, her 3 sons are well-known in Town, she was Ladies Gold Champion at Rastward Ho, is there NO one left who can honor our past? Even in Church today I saw maYbe two or three people who might remember her.....not dark ages.....30 yrs ago?
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 10/06/2024 - 12:18:22

I do know the ins and outs of writing a book, as I have written about the Old Harbor Station . It is called "Seashore Sentinel" and is available at the Salt Pond visitor center in Eastham as well as the book shop in Centerville.
I am working on a new book entitled "From Aunt Lydias Cove to Cape Cod Bay - My Jobs, Voyages and Vehicles Along the Way".
It does cover some Chatham stuff - the first 19 years at least.
But I would be remiss if I left out 20 years of experiences in the U.S. Navy, and the 30 cars, tractors and other vehicles I've had.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 10/05/2024 - 17:41:05

John, thanks for the sad but not unexpected news! Dougie was a good friend, a smart civic minded Chatham lover, an outstanding lady golf champion, a funny lady with her very own bridge! I will always remember her.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 10/05/2024 - 03:01:41

Via Facebook this evening, I saw a post by Dave Bohman that his mother, Dougie, passed away this afternoon at age 92. I thought she did a good job on the Board of Selectmen.
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Fri 10/04/2024 - 22:18:42

Richard - you should think about writing a book!! My grandmother taped some of her memories and my mom incorporated them into her book. When the memories are gone - they're gone. There's not that many of us left that had the good fortune to grow up here and relive some of these memories through keyboards. Think about it.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Fri 10/04/2024 - 17:59:48

Vaccine Drive thru
anybody see there are 2 different dates and what are your thoughts on this vaccine for elders?
Josie
chatham , MA USA - Fri 10/04/2024 - 17:11:24

Thanks for the positive notes.
Unfortunately, my upbringing was focused on things along the Chatham shoreline. That is where my Dad worked and so I tagged along. I never knew about the kids in South and West Chatham until I read Dana Eldridge's books - how deprived his family was, etc.
Most of us "townies' shied away from the Summer kids, as we had no place to interact with them except for Little League or swimming lessons at Oyster Pond. Certainly my parents didn't interact with Summer people except on a casual basis, or in servitude.
I can see now why Dave Ryder was so happy watching the sun rise from his boat while underway to the fishing grounds. His success was entirely up to him and the effort he put in.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 10/04/2024 - 16:37:23

Before I saw Jim's post I was thinking how much I appreciate Richard's and other people's historical perspective on Chatham. A book would be great -- I'd certainly buy it!

Today's Chatham is very different from when I was a kid.
James J Dempsey <jjd+chatmroom@jjd.com>
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Fri 10/04/2024 - 14:58:10

Richard, serious point: you should write a book about this stuff. it's a way of life that has disappeared here and will never come back. I like your stories and remembrances.
Jim
USA - Fri 10/04/2024 - 12:34:09

Back in the late 40's and early fifties, before the dike was built in 1955, the Chatham fishing fleet would schedule their boat bottom painting in the Summer when tides would run higher than usual. The boats would be hauled on a marine railway that Alton Kenney either owned or managed. His main man was Elisha Bearse, who pretty much ran things. He used a one cylinder engine attached to the back of an REO Speed Wagon truck to move boats around in the yard. (Yes, there was such a truck).
Us kids could get Razor clams on the flats at low water just out in front and to the left of the railway.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 10/03/2024 - 17:39:51

I REALLY want to say call Acme, Inc. Get an anvil...or a rocket engine. Poor coyote always has problems with Acme!! Or....jet-powered roller skates.

Wile E. Coyote
Genius
Jim
USA - Thu 10/03/2024 - 15:21:45

Carol, call Chatham Police Animal Control 508-945-5111. Diane is very knowledgeable, very helpful, and very nice. You may have to leave a message but she will get back to you.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 10/02/2024 - 16:40:09

A large healthy looking coyote is frequenting my yard. There are no bird feeders. I've used an air horn to startle it and waved my arms which makes him slowly move away but I have a 35 pound dog I walk always on a leash & he's making too many visits for my comfort! Suggesstionns?
Carl & Carol Olson <carololson47@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 10/02/2024 - 16:08:03

Alton Kenney (sp?) was the owner/operator of the building which is now owned by the town of Chatham at Stage Harbor. Alton lived on Bridge Street.
BobR <zutcg444@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 10/02/2024 - 09:47:07

I figured if it was OK for you and Jim and Jared to mention Obama, then I could as well.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 10/02/2024 - 08:43:34

Hello, I was visiting Chatham today and learned about "Kenney's Warf". I think I may be related to the former owner. Would anyone on the forum know the history of the warf. My ancestor Nathan Kenney (married to Sarah Nickerson) lived in Chatham from 1741 to approx. 1760 when he relocated to Nova Scotia with many others from Chatham.
Ray Kenney <Shuggar_ray@hotmail.com>
Morrisville , NC USA - Tue 10/01/2024 - 19:11:37

Richard - let's keep the discussion to Chatham please?
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Tue 10/01/2024 - 18:48:51

can anyone name anyplace where the seal level has risen? seriously.
Jim
USA - Tue 10/01/2024 - 17:28:16

I did some inquiring about the relative risk that MarALago faces due to impending sea level rise vs the risk facing the Obama estate on the Vineyard. MarALago is at much greater risk to be flooded with a 3-4 foot tidal push from a hurricane as well as long term sea level rise. Check it out for yourselves.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 10/01/2024 - 17:18:42

Sylvia- yes please! I just emailed you!!
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Sun 09/29/2024 - 19:26:59

OK. I can see welfare check and wellness check are synonymous.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 09/29/2024 - 18:36:53

Does anyone around or close to Chatham need egg cartons for their chickens' eggs?
Sylvia Fulcher <barsyl4041@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 09/29/2024 - 18:28:47

Richard -Google it
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Sun 09/29/2024 - 18:07:38

Just what is a welfare check?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 09/29/2024 - 17:49:33

As a person who bought a house very close to the water in 1983, knowing the risks
seemed less important than the enjoyment of owning the house. I built the first
revetment in Chatham and it was expensive, but it worked. The house survived and
I survived. I didn't have a great deal of money but buying there was a choice. I
certainly don't feel those who choose to live on a threatened shore are stupid
or foolish. They made a choice. I sold that house a few years ago to people
well aware of the risks. They made a choice and are enjoying the house.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 09/29/2024 - 15:28:58

I recall a conversation I had with my brother Will (a Chatham resident) regarding homes that have been built close or on the shore. I said to him that with rising sea levels, why would anyone spend millions on a home that could possibly be washed away by a storm? His reply was that the people with that kind of money can afford it, and perhaps a few years of enjoyment living by the sea may be meaningful to them.
Regarding the Obama family having a home in Martha's Vineyard, the island has long been a welcoming vacation destination for people of color. Oprah and Spike Lee are also residents. For further reading on the subject of diversity please check out this page: https://www.diversityexplained.com/read/marthas-vineyard-the-history-of-a-black-haven
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Sun 09/29/2024 - 09:18:02

Went through downtown late this afternoon and could not believe the crowds. It is late September.Also saw a number of young people dressed so I think maybe several weddings may be going on. I think it is great that people come here to do that. I had several great friends that did that and I remember I got married here too. No matter what some people say it is still a great town. Sometimes you have to plan ahead as when to do what. I love to go out early in the morning and the early evening.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 20:05:34

Wayne, agree. We're all in agreement. Climate change is real. No argument. Not sure why Josies panties are twisted. Someone may want to do a welfare check.
Jim
USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 19:28:11

How about we leave all this stupid stuff alone. Not everyone is right and not everyone is wrong. Lets just talk about the wonderful town called Chatham that we live in like we are supposed too here.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 19:24:06

Excellent...let your hate flow. you folks aren't good at this are you? Pro tip: toss in mysogyny, and patriarchy. Those trigger words are all the rage on "the Island" of late.

Facts got you tongue tied?
Jim
USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 19:20:55

Ah post Happy Hour at the Patersons. "Lilly white" yeah not racist. Losers.
Josie <peter.hopkins@comcast.net>
South Chatham, MA USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 19:17:02

ahhh, the cry of "racism." Pure ad hominem when you have no facts. That's a classic Josie.

Josie, send ALL your money to DC, they'll fix it for you this time, I can feel it!!!
Jim
USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 18:51:09

Josie - it's sad you feel that way. You really believe Obama would have spent millions on a house in Martha's Vineyard and Hawaii if he believed that nonsense? When has the climate NOT changed?
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 18:49:30

Oh boy. The chat room has been hijacked once again. Let us not be surprised by the intersection of racism and climate change denialism. You guys always out yourselves. SAD
Josie <peter.hopkins@comcast.net>
South Chatham, MA USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 18:22:06

Jared, exactly right. I use Obama as the metric as everybody up here is enthralled with his genius and brilliant leadership. He screeched at the sky during his political career over three things: income inequality, racism, and rising sea levels. The very first thing he did when he retired was to buy a waterfront mansion for 15 million dollars in a Lilly white enclave in Martha's Vineyard.

Now, he wouldn't have been trying to fool us now would he?
Jim
USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 14:35:08

How about in 1856 when a mid-coast Maine lightstation, 48 feet above sea level, was flooded? Was that climate change?
What irks me are the "experts" and newspapers who condition readers into a panic by using statements like, "we will experience stronger and more frequent storms". When leading statements like those are read over and over, readers begin to believe that something like an errant thunderstorm or a day of heavy rain like last Saturday is reason for terror. When those words are paired with a photo of dark clouds or waves on the shoreline, people really become unhinged. It does nothing constructive but bring on the same lunacy that we see before a blizzard hits where people forget that this is New England and we've done it before. Climate change is a phrase that has weasled its way into the public lexicon and is now attributed to every problem from warped floors to cluttered drawers.
As far as flooding in areas like Little Beach or other places prone to erosion; if you're stupid enough to buy real estate there then you're stupid enough. Webb's Island like Dick mentioned, or Cotchpinicut Island that Warren Nickerson's grandfather played on as a child all disappeared before any of us were born. Billingsgate Island off Wellfleet flourished, but was uninhabitable by the 1920's because it was washing away. Was it climate change or just Mother Nature reminding us who is in charge? If Obama really thought sea level rise was imminent would he have spent nearly $12 million on waterfront land. If your elected officials and idiot celebrities are jet setting around the world, not practicing what they preach, why should you?
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 14:16:24

Richard, concur. Climate changes. The earth rotates on an imperfect axis about the sun; magnetic north changes year to year based upon the magma currents deep in the earth; solar flares and mass coronal ejection changes the ionosphere in our universe. All impact the weather.

We've been keeping records of the weather for what... 150 years? That's a micro-second in the history of the earth. It's dangerous to extrapolate weather patterns on a statically insignificant data point.

What is alarming is the number of folks who seem to think that if we just send all our money to Washington, they'll change the weather. Washington couldn't stop Covid, they can't secure our border, and they damned sure can't change the weather. The hubris and arrogance is troubling.
Jim
USA - Sat 09/28/2024 - 07:18:49

Back when the Pilgrims first came here, there was an island off Chatham called Webbs Island. Nantucketers used to come over and harvest cedar trees from it. Over three centuries later, the island was gone but Dave Ryder used to fish on what then was a shoal. He told me he would occasionally hook on a cedar stump there. Yes, the climate has changed, and the sea level has risen accordingly. There are cedar stumps visible at beaches in Eastham at low water.
The changes are undeniable. They just seem to be accelerating.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 09/27/2024 - 17:32:49

Anyone else hear what I could assume was a plane last night?
James Gunn
North Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/27/2024 - 15:01:55

Easy Peasy John, sorry about that. No worries.....
Jim
USA - Fri 09/27/2024 - 11:56:28

Jim: I didn't really consider Richard's comments as totally political, because people from all parties have opinions on it, but it was how you phrased your second sentence that was problematic, especially the "go away" part. You could have said it differently and more generically, ok?
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
S Chatham , MA USA - Fri 09/27/2024 - 08:47:41

"Weather" changes daily. By the minute on Cape Cod.
"Climate Change" takes place slowly over a longer period of time- months , years, decades. You do not notice it until it is too late.
Cynthia Moore
South Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/27/2024 - 07:53:53

John - OK. Just thought politics was unacceptable here.

Carry on Richard....please explain to me what a "climate change denier" is?

The climate changed last night when it rained. It's going to change again today with some nice weather up to 70.
Jim
USA - Fri 09/27/2024 - 06:17:55

Jim: Your second sentence in that last comment to Richard is within the limits of a personal attack, which is NOT acceptable here.
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
S Chatham , MA USA - Thu 09/26/2024 - 21:01:21

To join the South Chatham Village Association send a $20 check payable to SCVA and address it to SCVA to Post Office Box 261 South Chatham. Include your email, your address, and best phone number to reach you. I hope this posts!!
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Thu 09/26/2024 - 20:44:34

AK - Thank you! That Association is open to anyone that lives in South Chatham. I have tried to post how to join several times and the site won't let me. I have asked the moderator for help. Once he gets back to me I'll try again.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Thu 09/26/2024 - 20:29:15

Richard, you mean realists? Go away with your politics.
Jim
USA - Thu 09/26/2024 - 19:24:41

Climate Change deniers in Chatham need to pay attention to the latest National Hurricane Center website . Hurricane Bob in 1991 was just a forerunner of what will eventually happen on Cape Cod.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 09/26/2024 - 17:49:41

Great letter today Judy. Who belongs to the South Chatham Village Association ? I live in South Chatham and I've never heard of this association. Is it a select area of south Chatham? Thanks
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Thu 09/26/2024 - 17:40:06

Thanks Bruce! Hopefully he's a one-term member. Enough is enough.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Thu 09/26/2024 - 16:56:50

Judy Patterson, good letter in the Chronicle. Would be great if voters listened to you and voted the rascals out of office.
Bruce
USA - Thu 09/26/2024 - 10:42:54

Tony and John: Many thanks guys. I will check those maps out now. Went to Eastham hiking day with Julie (Wiley Pond trails and then Coast Guard Beach). The Cape has so much to offer. The history aspect adds another cool dimension too. BTW, the oysters and sword fish sandwich at the Bookstore in Wellfleet are super good.
Ned Chapman <Chapman.law777@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 09/22/2024 - 19:10:38

The Chatham Conservation Foundation trail maps are printable and are available in PDF. What a nice resource.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Fri 09/20/2024 - 13:22:52

Very true John but the actual maps are easier to use if you're on the trail
Tony Murphy
W Chatham , MA USA - Fri 09/20/2024 - 11:49:13

Tony and Ned: The trail maps are also available online at their website
www.chathamconservationfoundation.org/trailguide
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Fri 09/20/2024 - 10:19:04

Ned, if you stop by the Chatham Conservation Foundation's office at the Mayo House on Main St. in Chatham between the Cape Cod 5 and the old Epicure site, you can pick up a detailed trail map of all the trails that are open to the public in Chatham.
Tony Murphy
W Chatham , MA USA - Fri 09/20/2024 - 08:15:17

Guys: Appreciate the hiking trail guidance. BTW, having 2 dogs (1 a puppy) I always carry bags and always pick up after the dogs as well as grab any stray litter. It's sure nice to be here for Indian summer this year. It's been a while. The natural ebb and flow of the seasonal change is very relaxing and we feel very fortunate be here. Can anyone in the forum educate me on what "Centenial Paths" or "Ancient Trails" are in Chatham (I have heard them called both)? My novice understanding is that there are some public easement trails that run into perpetuity. Is this true and where are they? I sense that some current landowners who have these near their property are not super happy about it. That's their business, however, I'm just interested from a Chatham History perspective. Any historical background would be appreciated.
Ned Chapman <Chapman.law777@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/20/2024 - 07:15:13

Did anyone else get their water bill with instructions for you to test your pipe from the street?? Come on! My house is over 100 yrs.old, I have been on the town sewer since 1972....big bucks then and now! If you want to know what that pipe is a made of....come test it yourself and pay for what you think it needs!
PS. Richard Ryder: this is not your personal platform....nor mine or anyone else....could you please stop posting stuff that shuts done the room?
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/20/2024 - 05:49:12

Town meeting tonight was very telling. I am all for historic preservation, aquaculture of shellfish to sustain our local fishermen, preservation of what little is left of our quaint Village that has attracted so many new people. You will pay....lots more than the Select Board and Finance folks led you to believe in the 4 Million you approved tonight.. Old Chatham is being ruined by new money.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/20/2024 - 05:49:20

My granddoggo loved going to Thompson Field Conservation area in Harwich which allows dogs. It is near the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Please be sure to carry some little doggy poop bags with you.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Thu 09/19/2024 - 18:36:47

Thanks Richard!! It popped right up with those instructions!!
Jim
USA - Thu 09/19/2024 - 16:50:23

Jim, go to www.govdeals.com and where it says Search, type in Eastern Boat. It is still listed and the bidding is up to $5200, with several more days to go.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 09/19/2024 - 16:26:38

Ned,Try The Punkhorn in Brewster lots of great trails.a lot of info is available on the internet.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Thu 09/19/2024 - 14:25:16

Ned, I checked the site shortly after Richard mentioned it and could not find the boat. Maybe it was taken off?
Jim
USA - Thu 09/19/2024 - 14:08:09

Richard: Appreciate the advice on the local Gov deals. I sense the Harbor Master took decent care of the boat. Will check it out. Try GSA.gov too. I used to work for the federal government and Uncle Sam sells some cool stuff occasionally (e.g., trucks, boats, real estate, etc.). All: We have 2 dogs now and walk them a lot. In your opinions, what are the top 3 walking trails on the Cape. I'm embarrassed to say, that we only recently discovered the beauty of Nickerson State Park. Holy smokes, what an incredible place. Any advice on cool hikes appreciated!
Ned Chapman <Chapman.law777@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 09/19/2024 - 07:15:29

FYI: I can't recall any posts by Richard Ryder that haven't followed the guidelines for this site, and his input is valuable to me and others so I don't have any issues with his posts. And while he may not be currently in Chatham, he's got sufficient connections to it.
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
S Chatham , MA USA - Wed 09/18/2024 - 14:43:06

Obviously, I am pleased that the building originally built on Stage/Morris Island in 1936 will be eventually returned to Chatham, The ONLY reason that the building has been saved is due to Jay Cashman, who has an interest in Strong Island in Chatham.
The prospective use of the building will be to raise Mercenaria mercenaria notata, ie quahogs with a distinct shell .
The benefits of the ongoing propagation efforts are well documented.
The fact that the former shack at the Bridge was occupied by Harvey Bloomer, which would have cut off the view, has been totally forgotten by many contributors to this site. Like who the Hell was he?
When this project is finished, one could actually walk down to the encompassing dock and maybe even cast a fishing line in to the water. You can't do that now.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 09/17/2024 - 17:53:51

Two things that might be of interest to Chatham nautically minded folks: Friday and Saturday high tides will be way above normal, (two feet on Cape Cod Bay) and secondly. the Town of Eastham has up for auction an Eastern boat, motor, and trailer which was formerly the Harbormasters boat. There are other trucks and snow plows as well.
One needs to go to www.govdeals.com and search for Eastham or by Zip code..
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 09/17/2024 - 16:44:53

Elaine, I would disagree with your statement on the "loss forever of the last and most beautiful view" as I am reasonably sure:1) that one will be able to see the same items blocked by boathouse simply by moving to a different spot 2) there's many other locations in Chatham that people find as more beautiful, and which are more popular as well 3) it's certainly not the last beautiful view, and some would consider the addition of the historic boathouse to make it more appealing
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Tue 09/17/2024 - 09:00:55

Very Happy the CG Boathouse is coming back! We have given up to many artifacts of the past!
Tony Murphy
USA - Tue 09/17/2024 - 07:56:47

John, You should subtract the $23,000 that the meeting tonight cost taxpayers from the $160,000 in "savings".$137,000 would have been a small price to pay on what will be a $9,000,000 project at 90 Bridge. I find it all very sad. When it's completed, people will be shocked at the size of the building, all the new moorings, parking which is already non-existent,taken up by new boaters, and the loss forever of the last and most beautiful view the public can enjoy. And the SB now knows,if they play it right and wear us down, Town Meeting votes are just a suggestion-an obstacle to ignore and get around when they don't like the result. How easily we give up our rights as voters. Situational ethics-ethics when it is convenient. When it is built it will be forever. There is no going back. told you so will be little confort.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 09/16/2024 - 20:28:06

Fortunately, the Upweller passed by an overwhelming vote. Perhaps the negativity
that characterized the Annual Town Meeting has subsided. The argument that a
Special Town Meeting is expensive was less of a consideration that the estimated
construction savings of $160,000 by starting the project immediately.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 09/16/2024 - 19:25:30

Shareen - I have a problem with the way the majority of your Board went about this. It may be legal but that does not mean it's right. To spend taxpayers money for a one warrant article for $23K doesn't make sense. This could have been brought to Town Meeting next May. I do know a lot of folks are furious about this. How about the money we are paying for staff and police details as well? This is a bad decision that rests solely with the Board.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Mon 09/16/2024 - 16:36:42

I reached out to the lead biologist for the state shellfish program, Chrissy Petitpas, PhD Shellfish Program Leader. Dr. Petitpas stated that Chatham has one of the best propagation programs in the State and we are well regarded for our work.

The economic indicator doesn't reflect all quahogs come from the upweller- it reflects the landings. Quahog seed are not scattered they are grown out over 3 years, first in the upweller , then under nets to mature.

There are several studies about Chatham's shellfish and fishing industry by the Cape Cod Commission, UMASS SMAST, WHOI to name a few. I'm happy to send anyone the studies- email me.

See you tonight!
Shareen Davis <s.davis.chatham@gmail.com>
Chatham , MA USA - Mon 09/16/2024 - 14:42:33

A few comments on tonight's Special Town Meeting. The Warrant is misleading to the point of being deceitful. The economic value stated is absolutely false. The multiplier they used is based on the fact that ALL quahogs harvested are a direct result of the current upweller. That is not even close to being true. I spent two weeks talking to aquaculture experts throughout New England. To a person they all agreed that what we plan to do is a tremendous waste of money. To scatter quahog seed in in actively shellfished areas with no protection from predators is doomed to fail. There are NO studies that support what we do. However, there are plenty that show that what we do is wrong. Lastly, let's talk about the size of the old boathouse. The building is huge. The artist rendition is a joke. This building will destroy the wonderful view we have of Stage Harbor from the Bridge. Please come tonight to vote down this poorly advised project.
Peter W Taylor <denise.taylor1@comcast.net>
CHATHAM, MA USA - Mon 09/16/2024 - 13:27:59

Interested to know if anyone is following Nantucket's route to the corporate ownership short term rental controversy's proposed solutions. The Nantucket Current posted some interesting info today on IG about what they are bringing to a vote at a special town meeting. Chatham should take note, their regs (when decided upon) could be good for us to adopt also if we still want an actual town and not a corporate-owned resort business zone. There are competing proposals, described in detail on IG today.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 09/16/2024 - 09:55:28

Shirley:
Suggest you buy a copy of the most recent Cape Cod Chronicle, where they have an insert filled with stuff to do in the off season, or Second Summer, as they call it.
We are not quite there yet to making left turns.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 09/13/2024 - 17:10:51

Not new to the area, but we are looking for fun things to do in Chatham this fall! 🍁 Whether it's outdoor adventures, cozy relaxing spots, or unique local events, I'd love your recommendations! What are your must-do fall activities in the area?
Shirley <emailaddress0321@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/13/2024 - 06:30:14

Be aware that Mr Dykens and Mr Schell are both up for-election next year. Mr Schell has had a few Open Meeting Law violations filed against him along with ethics complaints. Mr Dykens hardly ever shows up to committee meetings he's the liaison to. Keep this in mind and watch how they vote. They have overstayed their terms.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Thu 09/12/2024 - 20:23:04

You were asked - but what was the answer? It seems when there is a "no" vote at town meeting (COA) it tends to be brought up again and again at the waste of taxpayer dollars. There is no reason this article could not be brought before town meeting again next May. To spend our money to the tune of $23K for a ONE warrant article (in my opinion) is a waste of money. Folks should look closely at the Select Board and who voted for this special town meeting.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Thu 09/12/2024 - 19:36:03

I was asked today about the Special Town Meeting and the vote on the upweller if
those who oppose passing the article at this meeting because they oppose Special
Town Meetings would be 100% supporters if and when it came up at the regular
Annual Town Meeting next May.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 09/12/2024 - 18:55:00

Any business has the right to put up political signs. But it's very bad business to alienate half of your customers.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 14:11:54

Thank you Judy for your clarification. You're correct Cynthia, just watching the numbers. I was fortunate to
return to the Lynx today, such a beautiful vessel .

God Bless America may we never forget the horrors of 9/11.
Ak
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 14:10:55

JudyP - I was only going by what others had said before, and I hadn't seen AK post from a few minutes before mine as was writing then. Saw an ad on page 30 of this week's Chronicle which likely explains it, since I hadn't driven to Chatham for a few days and thus was going on what I had seen previously which was the OSJL lot truck.
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 12:36:18

Name should be BaBattalion Orio Palmer, apple decided to change the name, sorry
Alan
USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 10:54:32

Good morning Chatham, 911 is one of the saddest days in American History, I will never forget. I was only 7 miles away as "the crow flys";in seeing the buildings go down. But I was just a viewer.

I am sure there were many hero's that day however on this sight, I would like to salute FDNY Battalion Chief Orion Palmer.. That day, FDNY had difficulties with radios, he fixed that problem so he could communicate. All the elevators were out, in the South Tower, the Chief single handily fixed one, where he rode it up to the 40th floor.. He hoofed up to the 78th floor with all his bunker gear communicating to the command post what he was viewing on the way up. He had found the only functioning stair well that day and reported that he needed 2 hoses to knock down the fire.

There was death, injured and fire on the 78th. Unfortunately, 7 minutes after he got there, the tower went down.. What Battalion Chief did, in his climb, to the 78th, was physically unimaginable for most, even for FDNY other firemen, but he was on the way to accomplishing the impossible feat. And those that were injured, when he arrived, must have been thinking, there is a way out.

Battalion Chief Palmer, knew he was facing the clock and probably would die, but he was the only fire fighter to make it to the Impact Point and highest floor level amongst all of the FDNY. He provided hope.

As one might look around you, there are few who would have the technical expertise or the courage to do what he did, let alone the physical strength to even attempt what he did!!! You are really something!!!
Alan
USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 10:51:53

John - if you re-read AK's message - there was nothing mentioned about a personal vehicle. It was directed at a business.

Cynthia - good comment about the Lynx - very well could have reached limit. Love to hear from someone here who actually went on it. I bet it was wonderful.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 09:56:35

Perhaps the Lynx had met its passenger limit. Your safety in mind
Cynthia Moore
South Chatham, MA USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 09:17:01

Sorry folks I'm not writing about that business it's another one .
Ak
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 09:08:05

AK, you do realize that it's NOT an OSJL company truck but an employees personal vehicle so why would you blame the business for the political signs on that truck? Makes NO sense whatsoever!
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 08:43:24

No actually I think everyone has a right to place anything on their own vehicle. I object to when a business has political signs by their entrance.
Ak
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 08:38:37

Judy and AK, you must be talking about that truck always parked outside Job Lot with all the flags! You're right it is very annoying! I too hate when people express opinions other than my own!
CJ
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 09/11/2024 - 08:00:50

Watch out! That ship has been firing its cannons without warning! Next thing they'll be be coming to eat your pets! I'm just doing the weave, baby.
PeterM <Peter.Marlowe@comcast.net>
South Chatham , MA USA - Tue 09/10/2024 - 21:44:04

AK - that's too bad about the ship. I would love to see it as well. Totally agree with you about the political signs. They are obnoxious and I agree - would never set foot in that store as well.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Tue 09/10/2024 - 18:20:56

Just came from Stage Harbor where I thought we'd board the Lynx tall ship. Got there at 4:25 and the crew closed off boarding for the day even though the time posted said 5. Lots of pissed off families with kids couldn't get on even though they were there in plenty of time.

I wish businesses would not put political signs in front of their establishments. For me it means my family and I will never ever spend our hard earned cash in that store.
Ak
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 09/10/2024 - 17:33:58

Who is still shooting off fireworks at this time of year? Because they can? And can afford them?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 09/10/2024 - 17:07:40

Thanks Elaine, appreciate the info. Seems the best course would be to go back to hours of operation as it used to be instead of "daylight" as the website says, especially during the school year. It was pretty dark at 5:30 am Monday. Same should go for fireworks on school nights. Some in charge have lost sight of the fact that Chatham still is a town with living, breathing families bringing up children. It is no one's personal playground.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 09/10/2024 - 10:59:14

Melissa, email Select Board Chair Mike Schell.(mschell@chatham-ma.gov) He is the Select Board Liaison to the Airport Commission.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 09/09/2024 - 22:46:53

Who needs alarm clocks when we have turboprops flying in low over houses at 5:30 am? An entitled individual must think the peons shouldn't have rights to sleep. Who is in charge of the airport, the town or the individuals who use it? I know of a young family with 3 school-aged children who need their sleep who are under the flight path. I am not under it but it came over us as well when it should have been out over the water. This has got to stop.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 09/09/2024 - 08:29:51

I am in total support of Peter M.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 09/08/2024 - 17:44:46

Ok we get it Judy and Jared. No surprise. But keep your politics to yourselves. No one cares.
PeterM <Peter.Marlowe@comcast.net>
South Chatham , MA USA - Sat 09/07/2024 - 20:42:20

Jared - I thought so as well. The old curmudgeon from Florida had his facts all wrong as usual in this week's edition.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 09/07/2024 - 16:11:24

Ed Mallowes; good letter in the Chronicle recently.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 09/07/2024 - 11:52:05

OK, one last comment and then I'll move on:
Remember the issue with Coyotes years back on Monomoy and the kerfuffle about hiring professional hunters to manage them? This was an attempt at poking the boogeyman and injecting some levity into the conversation. Looks like I failed.

My issue is akin to free speech. The solution to speech you don't like is more speech, not less. I have a hard time wrapping my head around comments sent to me back channel about how this can't be allowed as "the authorities were not consulted." I see time and time again people complaining about basic issues and having to go to the authorities for permission to exercise basic decisions.

That's not how this State was founded, nor how the Country was founded. If you look to the State to approve everything, then shortly you must have State approval to do anything. I am of the opinion that one should be able to fire off a cannon to start a race, regatta, road-race, potato-sack race, etc.

I can see a sign, or an announcement as being prudent. That makes perfect sense. Tying this into the tragedy of a school shooting is a bit of a reach. Everyone is aware that tragedy can happen here as it does elsewhere. That's why I take steps to be prepared as should everyone, everywhere. Unfortunately, this State also limits the ability of its people to counter such threats.

That's it. off my soap box. "Sorry I started a fight at your Black Panther Party," (Forrest Gump, in Forrest Gump).
Jim
USA - Sat 09/07/2024 - 06:36:53

Where is the common sense and basic consideration of your surroundings? The event was not at the Yacht club. It's a public beach. There was a school shooting 2 days ago. Anyone who sees a gun shouldn't assume it's a BB gun if they're smart, or be expected to recognize it's a "Yacht cannon" going off- with absolutely no warning to those on the beach who were not part of the "Yacht club" group. It was foolish and thoughtless in this environment without making an announcement or having a sign. Chatham is not immune and anyone who thinks we are is mistaken.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/06/2024 - 21:23:28

Richard, I am not sure that is the same Jim.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/06/2024 - 21:09:56

Jim P:
I don't think many people on the ChatRoom can relate to what you are talking about. Yes, i have been very near 155 howitzers in VN. But is that anywhere relevant to coyotes on Monomoy?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 09/06/2024 - 20:40:23

I'd put a fires brigade of 155's in-line and light up Monomoy. 66 155's would take care of any coyote problem there and introduce the gentlefolk here to the sound of freedom.

Freedom isn't free folks. People get too comfortable letting others fight their battles. We all need skin in the game. Maybe then we wouldn't go adventuring about the world trying to "democratize" everyone; and people wouldn't cower when they see a BB gun or hear a yacht cannon.
Jim
USA - Fri 09/06/2024 - 17:25:30

Amy - that party is today . . The other day was Monomoy Yacht Club.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/06/2024 - 15:05:29

I believe it was a labor day party for all the employees of liberty commons. They were in front of the select board several times getting permission.
Amy
USA - Fri 09/06/2024 - 14:34:07

There are several businesses, companies, etc that do this every year without blocking off half the beach. This was never done before. When all was said and done, the folks attending didn't even take up a third of what was blocked off. In my opinion, in this day and age, the cannon was a bad choice. They should have posted a note saying that was happening. By the way - the event did not start until 3:00 p.m. and the beach was blocked off in the early morning.
JudyP
W Chatham, MA USA - Fri 09/06/2024 - 09:29:02

this was literally the State that kicked off a revolution because the King taxed some paper and tea. Now we have people clamoring for safe spaces when a cannon is fired? How far we have fallen.....

Maybe instead of funding a climate change laboratory we could provide grief counseling for those scared by cannons and regatta's?
Jim
USA - Fri 09/06/2024 - 06:06:07

This party takes place annually. And the second Hardings lot was largely empty yesterday. Nice, uncrowded day at the beach.
Ben K
Chatham , MA USA - Thu 09/05/2024 - 20:35:01

Did any regulars readers/lurkers here go to Harding's Beach today? I went to the first beach at noon. More than half the parking lot was blocked off with a tent. Not a problem. I got out of my car and headed over to the left where I usually sit. The majority of the beach to the left of the lifeguard chair was blocked off by cones. This has never happened before. Someone told me it was Monomoy Yacht Club. This was at noon . At 3:00 pm a cannon was set off and music began. This was obnoxious and many folks (including me) left. I know many folks that have parties here - but this was obnoxious blocking off a public beach. This has never happened before. Many folks were freaked at the cannon . No need for this .
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 09/04/2024 - 18:41:49

Still around, lamenting the absence of any beach plums to pick.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 09/04/2024 - 16:20:44

Did all CHAT-M-Room participants leave with the Labor Day crowd?
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 09/04/2024 - 09:22:10

Since there was only Puritan Clothing Co. available for us Chatham people in the 40's and 50's, where one could buy chinos and work wear, as well as shotgun shells, ice skates and maybe a nice tie, there are no clothing stores in Chatham that cater to regular people.
I have a decal from the "Chatham Chino Co., Est. 1925" with two Hurricane warning flags, that must be related to the original Puritan Clothing Co. They sold chinos and other stuff to the Coast Guard, starting in 1925.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 08/30/2024 - 19:05:47

For wha it is worth, I was in downtown Chatham, parked in front of Soft as a grape, guy attempted to do a uturm to catch a space directly across from me, and by less than 7", nearly took off my front door.
Yes, the type of guy who deserved a banana in his tail pipe.

What I was surprised to observe, was that very few clothing stores were were offering any kind of Labor Day sale. And if they were offering a discount, they were selling junk.

Went swimming during the afternoon at Harwich's Bank street Beach, no life guards and officer handing out tickets, however the beach was clean,, water was clean and visitors enjoyed nice time.
Alan
USA - Fri 08/30/2024 - 17:51:38

I'm so sad to see summer coming to an end. Harding's Beach has finally started to be cleaned after being a mess all summer. The traffic is dwindling down. When I was younger I was so sad to see my summer friends leave and school starting up again. Now that I'm (much) older, I feel this is the best time of year to enjoy our beaches and outdoor activities before the cold sets in and winter is upon us.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Thu 08/29/2024 - 20:51:57

I had an extensive chat with two of our Community Ambassador young people who patrolled Main St. this summer. What an eye opener! They really did their job and are a very valuable asset. For instance, on July 5 they wrote 76 citations for $75 ea...... the tickets are electronic and cannot be destroyed( torn up). Over the line, handicapped violations, wrong way side of street.....they got a lot of those! We all see the rudeness, the entitlement etc., but I feel better now that I know Chatham is doing something about it. I thanked them for their "service".
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 08/28/2024 - 04:54:28

Emily, note that the handicap violations are actually now $300, not $75 so even more offset to the cost of these CSO's.
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Tue 08/27/2024 - 16:42:39

Sad to read and hear of the passing of a former classmate , Bobby Starkweather. Many happy memories of him enjoying some times at Howard Roses' Boathouse at North Beach. This was before his plane accident. After the accident, a bunch of us guys went to visit him in a hospital in Boston. Principal Ben Bassett had no choice but give us detention for skipping school, but I am sure he would rather not have had to do it. Hard to hide the fact six boys were missing from school one day.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 08/25/2024 - 16:34:51

Works great for the band concerts and quick local errands! Taxpaper/beach or dumpsticker works!
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 08/25/2024 - 16:30:15

Elaine, it's not complicating it by pointing out that your statement that a $185 sticker is necessary to park free at Eldredge lot is wrong, when other lower priced stickers are available and have that same privilege there. The question Clayton answered was specifically about that lot, nothing else.
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Sat 08/24/2024 - 16:10:24

Works great for the band concerts and quick local errands! Taxpaper/beach or dumpsticker works!
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/24/2024 - 15:58:31

Is the town paying the lot operator a subsidy to cover the "free" parking? The operator has paid for the right to operate the lot and theoretically the free parking could negatively impact their revenue.
Clayton
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/24/2024 - 13:01:49

John, you can complicate this if you want. Clayton said parking is free there for "townies". Nothing is free in Chatham for residents. In addition to paying to build and renovate the lots, landings and the transfer station, property owners need to register our vehicles to get a sticker for pretty much everything. If you have more than one car and want all the permits to park anywhere in Chatham it is hundreds of dollars annually. The application is online- "Permit stickers".
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/24/2024 - 12:32:55

Elaine, not exactly correct as just a cheaper transfer station or low cost recycling sticker will allow the vehicle to park at Eldredge lot for free. Any of the three types are acceptable.
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Sat 08/24/2024 - 09:46:46

You must also have purchase a sticker to use town boat ramps, which does not cover parking at those same Town landings. Parking is covered by the separate dump, recycle, or beach stickers.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/24/2024 - 08:14:49

Clayton, Parking is is not free to Chatham residents. In addition to your taxes you need to have a sticker which allows you to park at beaches and use the Transfer Station. It is currently $185 for the first car.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/24/2024 - 06:45:25

Seriously Bill P are you that out of touch with the town happenings where you don't understand that townies can park for free in that lot
Clayton
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 08/22/2024 - 19:55:52

As I have said many times, the Town of Chatham needs to get up to speed and institute paid parking, both at the Fish Pier and with metered lots.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 08/22/2024 - 17:55:09

Took a ride through town and it was busy, but I did notice the new parking lot at Eldredge garage was near empty. The rate was $8 for 2 hours and $15 for the day.

$15 for the day seems fair but $8 for 2 hours is high.

Is there a resident pass for this lot? If not there should be as we paid for it already through taxes.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 08/22/2024 - 14:30:25

I find it interesting that the Chairman of the Select.Board and the Chairman of the Affordable Housing Trust (Schell) has had multiple Open meeting violations along with his pal Mr Oppenheim. Maybe it's time for taxpayers to pay attention and vote them
Out ??
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Tue 08/20/2024 - 17:50:45

One cannot make wholesale comments about America's youth work ethic , but as defined here (those between 20-40 ish, I am have observing some of the following:
The students between 19-22 seem to be well groomed, driving very hard to success and conscientious attitude. One need only to look at the cross section of CapeCod baseball players this year and the intern broadcasters.

The 22-31 year olds seem to not wish to have any part of a 9-5 job and those that do, wish 6 figure salaries near instantanously. And there is another "problem" as some will see it, there are more woman BA degrees, than there are men-fact, so men are retreating out of the corporate job market.
The 30-38 year olds, seem very comfortable with "working from home." And yes many, not fully taking on all the responsibilities of the job nor participating at the highest of levels they could be (Debatale of course).

And then there is the upper level management, who yes are being paid extremely well, but also having to pick up the slack from all these team members who are not standing around the bubbler talking about work from all directions. This group is working so hard to forefill the corporate objectives, because their stay at home colleagues are not contributing( in many instances), contributing their fare share of the data gathering etc. This will eventually cause a burnout.

Supporting some of these statements from the (old and the new)- Taking a page from the now defunct Pharmaceutical company "Upjohn" then Pres. Donald Rumsfeld, insisted that R&D people all sit together in the lunch room, for the obvious exchange of thought.-you won't get this sitting at home.

And the new. Take Philly new Mayor Parker edict, where all municipal employees were mandated to return to the office. Many resisted, but the concept was employees have an obligation to provide max. support and services to the taxpaye
Alan
USA - Mon 08/19/2024 - 23:13:01

John - you are correct. I think a majority of younger folks don't have the work ethic we all did - but there are still a lot of good, helpful kids out there that actually enjoy work and are proud of the money they make. Sorry for my poor choice of words.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Mon 08/19/2024 - 18:04:14

Judy, I don't think you should group all young people together. Although many
are not interested in work, Chatham stores and businesses were happy to employ
a great number of enthusiastic young people. Many were able to earn their
spending money that could last all winter. Everyone my age worked and I was happy to meet so may young people
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 08/19/2024 - 12:52:40

No matter
A actually went out on Sat and caught 20 stripers, had a lot of fun, we took home 4 keepers and enjoyed a meal last night. Sad part about all this was to learn tonight , a friend of mine, Mike P, was in the hospital fighting for his life. This just having lost a very good friend, Neil C. Both standup guys. These guys would always deliver and they are ordinary men doing the best at what was available to them.

I am not so sure I was moving towards ethics but more towards the sense of decency. Anyways Judy- thanks
Alan
USA - Sun 08/18/2024 - 20:39:37

I inferred that Alan was looking for advice as to who to go to for a half day fishing trip. Not that he needed help to man a boat.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 08/18/2024 - 18:52:05

Thanks for all that advise
Alan
USA - Sun 08/18/2024 - 18:08:40

Alan -.looking on the Chatroom for help is like looking for a needle in a haystack. If you're on the Cape you should be well aware that every business is looking for help. Kids today do not have the work ethic our parents insisted we have. I had a paper route when i was 8. After that I babysat. I finally retired a few years ago.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 08/18/2024 - 17:08:29

Thanks for all that advise
Alan
USA - Sun 08/18/2024 - 16:32:00

Jim, nice to chat with you recently. I agree, it's unbelievable that the birthplace of the revolution has devolved into such a nanny state.

On a more positive note, the boat finally went into the water a few weeks ago and it's good to take the family out, cruise around and get away from the hordes of people.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 08/18/2024 - 16:03:23

Check out the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project at CCMCP.net. One can opt out of them spraying on one's property. Not sure if one can prevent them from promoting public health by eliminating standing water.

Back in 1964 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Navy had a fogging machine that went around the base in the evening spreading misted diesel fuel to keep the mosquitoes under control.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 08/18/2024 - 10:53:55

Be real careful here, agents of the State cannot just walk onto YOUR property alleging a "search" for [fill-in-the-blank-here]. Property rights are sacrosanct. It doesn't matter if the guy is legit, or some crumb-bum doing a recon of your property for nefarious activity. I want to see an administrative warrant before an Agent of the State walks onto my property alleging they are looking for ANYTHING.

Massachusetts was THE actual birthplace of our liberty. I cannot get my head wrapped around how folks up here have fallen so far from individual rights and so easily fawn at the feet of government. It's a head scratcher.
Jim
USA - Sun 08/18/2024 - 07:12:50

I remember back in the late 1940's living at Old Harbor Road when a person came around the neighborhood looking for stagnant water where mosquitoes could breed. Things have not changed much, as mosquitoes are still able to carry diseases as they did back then. They don't care how much money you might have. They just want to suck your blood.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 08/17/2024 - 18:51:40

Call mosquito control. If they were not there call the police.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/17/2024 - 13:25:33

love when that happens. spray bottle in hand and when asked what he is doing says "looking for standing water and mosquitoes". I was unable to get down there so spoke to him through my upstairs window. No vehicle around. He just "appeared" Thanks
Cynthia Moore
South Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/17/2024 - 07:14:30

Has anyone else had a man show up on their property
Cynthia Moore
South Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/17/2024 - 07:10:37

Looking for help. Charter fishing, half day this upcoming Sunday., Any suggestions
Alan
USA - Thu 08/15/2024 - 13:29:59

I was at Harding's today and saw three men dressed in jeans with a notebook, a grabber bar and a bunch of plastic bags walking at a good clip towards the lighthouse. About an hour later they returned with what looked like debris from the turbine from Nantucket. Two- three pieces in a plastic bag. No doubt it was from there. Anyone else see them?
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 08/14/2024 - 19:32:59

Ed, I believe the concrete structure is another sewer pump station, so elevated because of its location in the flood plain.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 08/14/2024 - 17:21:30

Just curious what the 2 story cement bomb shelter looking building jammed in with all the garden sheds behind the harbormaster garage at Stage Harbor is for . I know it can't be for storing explosives because you can't even drive down stage harbor rd. with a half a cup of coffee and have more then a sip left by the time you hit the parking lot .
EM
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 08/14/2024 - 13:46:52

Judy, I just received my Eversource bill and I also have the electric vehicle charge. I called Eversource. The
representative said , " This is a mandated federal tax across the country. " please vote in November with
your wallet and savings in mind.
AK
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 08/14/2024 - 12:31:34

I will look again.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 08/13/2024 - 15:43:34

This was on my Eversource Bill:

News For You
On Aug. 1, the average customer using 600 kWh per month will see a decrease of approximately 4% or $5 as new energy supply rates take effect. If your bill contains usage prior to Aug. 1, your cost of energy will reflect pricing from July and August. Manage your bill at Eversource.com/manage-cost. A new Electric Vehicle Program charge appears in the Delivery section of your bill. This new charge is effective July 1, 2024 and enables utilities to recover costs for programs that support the development and deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Commonwealth
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 08/13/2024 - 11:26:10

There is no such charge on our bill, even in any fine print.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 08/13/2024 - 10:50:40

this is what is looks like on the bill, you get a bill even if you don't anything with solar panels

Electric Vehicle Program 358 kWh X .00138 $0.49
MICHAEL SISSON <msisson1789@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 08/13/2024 - 07:40:15

Richard - I'm curious as to why Eversource would waste money on sending you a bill if you haven't paid one in so long?
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Mon 08/12/2024 - 20:18:39

Just got our Eversource bill this afternoon. Absolutely NO mention of any new charges to pay for EV charging stations. (There is mention of a reduction in rates.)
Maybe because we don't actually have a bill to pay. Thanks to solar panels, we have not paid an electric bill since 2018.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 08/12/2024 - 17:39:49

Judy, it's stealth taxation. There are a few other items listed also. I bet most don't even notice it.
Bill P
USA - Sun 08/11/2024 - 12:36:40

Did anyone notice on their new Eversource Bill this month we now have a new charge for "a new electric vehicle program charge". It's effective July 1st and enables utilities to recover costs for programs that support the development and deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Commonwealth.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/10/2024 - 09:48:20

Richard, that phone pole must be a "thing." I did the same when stationed in Key West. Right smack in the middle of the busy harbor I came across an enormous telephone pole. Marked it with a dive flag and vectored the CG in on it. Luckily no one hit it. Amazing the things you find floating around.....

We also woke up one morning to find a sail boat blown up into our yard just off our dock but that's a story for another day. The CG wouldn't touch it as it was on Navy property, the Navy wouldn't touch it as they said it was the CG's responsibility.
JimP
USA - Thu 08/08/2024 - 06:22:02

Don - I did read in the CC Times he was arraigned. I "believe" I read he had an unregistered gun and was held in lieu of bail. It was right after the incident. Too bad the Chronicle missed reporting on that one. I felt bad for the family that encountered him.
JudyP <judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 08/07/2024 - 16:37:25

Two things: Years ago while operating a boat off the CT coast. I did encounter a floating telephone pole. Called the Coast Guard to tell them of the floating menace. I think I put a buoy on it.

As for the ca 1936 Boathouse, the plan allows for folks to walk on a pier that would surround at least part of the proposed upweller building. The upweller would be an indirect benefit to the likes of Dick Matteson, Bob Ryder, Dick Buck and many other quahog scratchers who are able to supplement their retirement income with quahogs that had their start in the present upweller. (You won't hear much negative talk from them.)
The present building also interferes with a view of Stage Harbor. A similar former USCG Boathouse in Nantucket is used as an upweller facility .
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 08/07/2024 - 16:33:56

Whatever happened to that VT idiot charged with road-rage on 7/16? He was supposed to be arraigned 7/17 but I've seen no updates.
Don
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 08/07/2024 - 14:53:16

Amy - you are 100% correct. It's really a shame that folks are subject to this. I along with many others, are so sick of hearing Oppenheim add his two cents to every single discussion then having the three amigos agree with him. If the town had shut the water off at 127 Old Harbor before the winter (5-8+ years ago) the pipes would not have burst and mold would not have happened. It has been sitting there untouched for years. What a waste when families could have been in there by now. I hope folks that are for affordable housing vote Dykens and Schell out next spring. Enough of their pandering to developers and doing absolutely nothing.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 08/07/2024 - 10:22:35

I'd say Dean and Corey are on a roll of being in the minority (but speaking for so many of us).i am referring to the discussion on 127 Old Harbor Road, where once again any decision on the project has been postponed. How many years has it been? Now they want to pair it with Stepping Stones and maybe add an affordable component. This is going to get dragged out and it will be years before there is any construction, and during that time, people with good jobs who can't afford to live here will move away.
Amy
USA - Wed 08/07/2024 - 08:33:44

John, I am shocked you appear to be a mind reader of those who voted at Town Meeting and rejected the huge waterfront article. Give Town meeting a little more credit. some things just never die.The Upweller cost after grants is a whopping $8 million. Chump change. The bigger issue is that some SB members have "PTSD" after the results of Town Meeting(a direct Dykens quote). So they are using the ballot loophole again to have a do-over at a STM on Sept 16 at a cost to taxpayers of $23,000 when many of people who attended TM may not be able to attend. Change the rules if you don't like the outcome. Where have I heard that before. DC has nothing on Chatham. And people are going to be horrified at the size of it when the Boathouse shows up blocking the most beautiful view in Chatham.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 08/06/2024 - 20:56:08

Judy, you obviously realize that the article voted at ATM was a comprehensive one for five separate projects at different locations while this article and STM is strictly for ONE of those projects!
There's apparently sufficient support for it, but not for the other four projects, and most likely would have passed at ATM had it been isolated then.
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Tue 08/06/2024 - 20:40:50

So now our Select Board (with the exception of Dean and Cory) have voted to spend our money for a Special Town Meeting for an article we have already voted NO on at the last Town Meeting. This is ridiculous. No never means no to these people.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Tue 08/06/2024 - 19:20:30

Some days chicken, some days feathers.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 08/05/2024 - 19:07:44

Richard - No berries here on the Harwich Frontier along Muddy Creek. Well, I did see one berry yesterday. Good thing the freezer's still stocked from last summer!
Bob F. <robertef45@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 08/05/2024 - 10:09:27

Seeing that we are only about three weeks away from our usual harvest of beach plums, I wonder if the Chatham crop is any different than the crop in Eastham or Provincetown? Almost none in places that were loaded last season. I noticed that the bushes have put their energy in to new growth, rather than fruit.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 08/04/2024 - 19:24:07

Harding's Beach- They need to rake in front of the 2 parking lots and the strip in between. The plovers are way further down from the 2nd parking lot. What the town is saying about not raking makes no sense to me.
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 08/04/2024 - 09:07:29

AK - Hardings has been awful all summer. Several of us have written to Town Manager and Select Board and have been told it's plovers. I have heard the town pays so poorly no one will work for them. Orleans pays almost double what Chatham does. Funny Harwich and other beaches are pristine and don't have "plovers". If I were a tourist I'd demand my money back. To pay huge amounts of money to vacation here and sit on a filthy beach is not welcoming at all to folks who come here.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 08/04/2024 - 08:02:51

Forget about stage harbor marine for a second, lot of activity in the Chatham harbor, 2 boats collided, did hear too much more about that one. Another accident out there, someone hit a buey. Dead on, think that one had a fairly bad injury. Another one for all you night time sailers/boaters out there and all this concern about windmill blades. Heard there was a telephone pole out there, captain had a near miss. Yea a floating telephone pole.

Lucky for me, spent my time yesterday, changing out primary and secondary fuel filters. Bolts not so easy to get off and at least one case had to be a contortionist to effectively accomplish the job at hand. The little diesels begin to run rough, If not taken care of. Nothing like being out there with rough running engine due to semi clogged fuel lines.
Alan
USAoUj - Sat 08/03/2024 - 21:28:45

I was at Hardings Beach today. They haven't cleaned up the seaweed in weeks, it smells and fleas are everywhere. I overheard some conversations , people don't think it's worth the 20$ fee and frankly are disappointed.
AK
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 08/03/2024 - 20:57:47

Through my job at Stage Harbor Marine I had the pleasure of working with Stuart Smith many times. He was always knowledgeable and professional. Disrespectful is not a word that I would ever associate with him.
Tony Murphy
USA - Thu 08/01/2024 - 12:53:22

Stuart is one of the nicest people I've ever met. Thoughtful and kind . That's a true judge of character. Disrespectful is not a word that anyone who knows him would associate with him.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Thu 08/01/2024 - 07:17:59

Stuart Smith has saved more lives in Chatham than anyone in this town-bar none. That is the test of a man and his character. Not a silly suit or dress. I've known many people in my life who dress the part, but are shallow and a mile wide and an inch deep.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/31/2024 - 21:54:42

Stuart Smith was an invitee when the first USCG cutter of its class, the Bernard C. Webber, WPC 1101, was commissioned in Miami. He showed up with Bermuda shorts and flip flops, when everyone else was either in a suit or dress. I thought he was disrespectful then, and I still hold the same thought now.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 07/31/2024 - 18:38:31

Richard - he's working there til replacements are hired.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Tue 07/30/2024 - 20:08:18

Any validation to the rumor that retired Chatham Harbormaster, Stuart Smith, has been appointed a temporary Harbormaster in Wellfleet ?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 07/30/2024 - 19:08:24

Mid-summer "rant"! For instance The vandalism of art in Kate Gould Park done under surveillance cameras. The "Police know who they are" is NOT enough. Publicize the punishment! Get tough! Make them pay a price similar to what auction bids bring! We must start to let our visitors know we won't tolerate rude, dangerous, entitled, behaviors. This Town pussy-foots around the summer folk under the welcome mat of the money they bring and spend here. Who profits? Certainly not the locals or the old families that built and loved Chatham......we just "hole up" to survive.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 07/30/2024 - 17:39:45

Josie. In 2014 I replaced mine. My house is set back about 100 ft from the road and the town's water main to where it enters my home. It 2014 it cost $6,000. It's likely twice that today. If you have to add a meter pit because of the distance in order to separate your irrigation usage (required if you don't have a well) it will be substantially more.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/29/2024 - 07:39:10

Right On Elaine
Thats why I'm asking$$$
Thanks, Josie
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/28/2024 - 14:08:08

Josie- oddly enough, that wasn't mentioned in the "Inventory" questionnaire. Normally the homeowner is financially responsible from their property boundary where the water comes in. The expense could be significant-trenching or boring to where the pipes enter your house.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/28/2024 - 13:51:18

Regarding the LEAD water line replacement:

John or anyone following... who pays for the replacement?
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/28/2024 - 13:26:21

I actually just looked back about five minutes ago and read it. I'm still not doing their work for them John .
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 07/27/2024 - 20:56:25

Josie and Judy: If you actually read it, it's to locate any LEAD water supply lines that might still exist so they can be replaced. I got a similar notice from Yarmouth where I have another house (inherited).
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Sat 07/27/2024 - 20:42:33

Josie - Great question. I'm not going to do it. They know exactly what we use for water and peak periods we use it. I'm with you - not a clue why this is needed. I did find out Wesson & Sampson are no longer employed by the town. They handled everything pertaining to water. . I also heard yesterday the very expensive truck to clean out sewers that taxpayers have paid for has been sitting for a year unused because they can't get anyone to use it . Chatham pays so poorly no one wants to work for the town. Orleans pays almost double to their town employees.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 07/27/2024 - 17:48:10

Bill P:
We have an 8KW generator that starts automatically when the power goes out. Been used many times. The Cotuit Solar folks are not ready yet to advocate for a battery bank to back up the solar panels.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 07/27/2024 - 15:17:54

According to the TM Mainsheet
Has anyone uploaded the info posted for your home water service line inventory? And what is the meaning of this inventory?
Thanks Josie
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 07/27/2024 - 13:53:24

Just learned of the death this morning of Hannah St. Pierre.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 07/27/2024 - 13:00:38

The federal government has already invested a half a billion dollars in Humboldt Bay (where I live) in the development of offshore wind turbines. The turbines will be assembled on the bay. The turbines will be 20-30 miles off the coast of Humboldt, Mendocino and Del Norte counties and eventually will be connected to the grid. In April 2024 we had a delegation of leaders travel to Massachusetts to meet with the whole Vineyard Offshore team to learn about some of the challenges as wells as the perks of offshore wind development. If you are interested in seeing what the assemblage will look like, then here is a link:
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2024/jul/25/offshore-wind-simulation/

I grew up in Chatham and sailed on Pleasant Bay in a fiberglass sailboat. Maintenance, repairs and paint were made during the winter. I do not understand the fear regarding wind turbines. I would rather see wind turbines generating electricity, than having oil wells off the coast.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Sat 07/27/2024 - 10:03:23

Richard, lots of folks roofs don't face the sun or have large trees in their yard. So only a few people can do that. I have a few panels that need to be moved around to get sun and use a battery with them. But this is for power outages.

Curious, do you have a battery backup tied to the solar for power outages. I use portable solar panels and portable battery box for power outages as my roof gets little sun with all the trees I have.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 07/27/2024 - 09:22:10

I think we can wrap this discussion up. There was undeniably a massive structural failure on a calm day. They're luck debris didn't hit a sightseeing boat and kill anyone. Until they find out the cause and the environmental implications to marine life and coastal beaches, and they clean up the mess(not lifeguards)the operations and construction should be suspended immediately,and an independent investigation of both the incident and the company needs to occur.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 07/27/2024 - 09:00:34

As I have expressed previously, I do have concerns about the tethered turbines vs the monopole turbines employed by Vineyard Wind.

I think you have confused wind turbines with solar panels in your diatribe.

Our 14 solar panels are working just fine for eight years. No electric bill since they were installed. We make more electricity than we use.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 07/26/2024 - 17:54:26

Elaine-Completely agree with your comments re: the turbines. Richard- perhaps when the turbines are in your backyard you will see this issue differently-and unfortunately it seems it is only a matter of time before that is true. As per a late June article in the CC Times: "Three ocean areas east of Cape Cod may be some of the next marine real estate to be auctioned for offshore wind energy production, with some turbines possibly distantly visible, in very clear conditions, from the Atlantic Ocean bluffs in Truro. Located due east of Wellfleet and Truro, the areas total 363,305 acres starting about 24 miles offshore and stretching eastward. They are among eight potential lease areas --- adding up to nearly a million acres --- that the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has delineated for offshore wind projects... The federal government is also gathering public comments." Cabling ecpected to run to Plymouth (via Stellwagon) or to Salem. Public comments were accepted at: https://www.regulations.gov/document/ BOEM-2024-0026-0001. My question is what is the plan to dispose of the turbines when they fail? More landfills in Wyoming? Wind is short sighted and only creates more waste- and is clearly a physical threat to ocean life. If we want to save our habitat, in my opinion, we need to change our production and travel methods, reduce waste and alter our culture of consumption - not hand our waters over to corporations (mostly foreign) who seem to only have their short term money interests in mind (remember Solar City?) If these companies are permitted to resume operations, this will undoubtedly reoccur and Vineyard Wind and others who follow will have one lawsuit after another until they give up and we are left with the archaic solar panels and no one to blame but ourselves...for trusting a corporation because they claimed to care about the environment.
Jen
USA - Fri 07/26/2024 - 09:26:46

Thanks for the update. Just watched their YouTube video, which shows a different way to farm oysters than leaving them out at low tides as is done in Cape Cod Bay. Probably they grow faster !
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 07/25/2024 - 12:12:47

Richard - The shanty's are still there. Chatham Shellfish Company owns one and I believe they, as well as the town has oysters in Oyster River they propagate .
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/24/2024 - 19:40:16

Sure, oysters were cultivated in Oyster River in Chatham during my lifetime. Those shacks are long gone - taken over by wealthy folks who don't have an appreciation for how Chatham used to function. Oysters were brought in from CT, allowed to cleanse themselves, and later harvested by the likes of Des Eldredge using scows and tongs.
Can anyone tell me the number of pounds/bushels of oysters that are harvested annually from Chatham waters?
Tons of quahogs, yes. Oysters? Minimal.
Look to Wellfleet for their production stats.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 07/24/2024 - 19:02:54

Tell that to the an adult oyster that filters up to 50 gallons of water a day.If they filter any water with the glass particles it will either kill them or be ingested by humans that eat them. This one halfof one blade caused havoc on a calm day-for no explicable reason. Imagine the damage in an ice and and 80 mph winds when they all go down. "It probably isn't dangerous" is not good enough. And the coverup will be worse than the crime. "We told you so" will be small solace.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/24/2024 - 18:08:54

That blade was just like 99% of the boats out there. Inert, non toxic, etc as described by BUR.
Sure, the rgged edges are sharp but they will not be ingested by marine life. The only parts of the blade that could be of concern are the Styrofoam innards (Dow Chemical product - once made in Gales Ferry, CT.)- the same stuff that your collectible wandering lobster trap buoys are made from.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 07/24/2024 - 17:33:24

Bill -that has been reported widely. This is dangerous to marine life and boaters. What a nightmare for Nantucket - and a dangerous one at that. Sorry Jim - not agreeing with WBUR.

Back to Chatham - has anyone read the "You Guest it Column"'our Select Board member Mr Schell wrote today?
He can spin this story any way he wants. It was a poor decision to select Penrose after the way they acted in Orleans. Of course HAC wanted their money upfront. They were not going to go back to our town asking for more money. You can bet Penrose will. Also - let us not forget folks were promised ownership opportunities. This will not happen. This is what happens when you have an individual acting as Chair on the Select Board and the Affordable Housing Trust. This should have never happened.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/24/2024 - 17:03:45

The fox declares the hen house safe.

"assessment from Boston-based GE Vernova, the company that made the blade and was in charge of overseeing its installation."
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/24/2024 - 16:06:08

Analysis of debris from Vineyard Wind blade found to be "inert, non-soluble, stable, and nontoxic".

https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/07/24/vineyard-wind-blade-damage-nontoxic
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Wed 07/24/2024 - 14:23:02

Hey Judy and Elaine

Should you find it within you. I definitely would like to invite you to a cup of coffee
Alan
USA - Tue 07/23/2024 - 16:48:54

I find it absolutely appalling that a private citizen donated an air conditioner and fans to help the poor guys at the transfer station. The fact that our Town Management doesn't help these guys at all is awful. No break room, little shelter, freezing in the winter, extremely hot now, etc. What a disgraceful way to treat these guys. The beaches are hardly ever cleaned. You hear tourists complain about this every single day at the beach. . What is going on? Are our leaders seriously this out of touch?
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/22/2024 - 21:57:21

Steve, you are exactly right. Chatham has become a Regional Transfer Station. The 2 or 3 commercial haulers permitted by Chatham also service surrounding towns bringing construction materials and garbage from other towns. That's why the building where we dump our trash is always full and now requires a new floor and significant renovations at our expense. Phase I Priority 2 was defeated at Town Meeting and should not be approved. It's just a matter of time before Chatham annual rates will be raised.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/22/2024 - 09:43:39

Transfer station information. It may interest others that the transfer station takes in construction debris, which is open to private companies and residents, but it costs the town the same amount to get rid of it as it costs the private contractors to dump it, not including what it costs the town in manpower and loader wear and tear to load it into the dumpster and haul it away. Wouldn't you think that the town would be charging private contractors more than residents to get rid of construction debris? I'll find out if the same holds true for white goods, mattresses, tree and bush waste and white goods.
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/22/2024 - 08:07:58

Fiberglass and the windmill blades
I have not been in the manufacturing room of fiberglass blades, but I would assume they are made with speciality cloth, a vinyl ester and a Methyl Ethyl Ketone peroxide (commonly referred to as MEK-p).
These "constituents allow for a controlled heat cure for the production of PARTS. The functional part, is usually constructed in layers. Hence, one should be concerned, more by these layers during a breakup, as they can become very sharp, as in cutting Hence in flowing waters pieces of them could be very hazardous as they can puncture, like in the case of fish or a boat.

I would see the bonds created by these 3 raw materials mentioned above would be so tight, it would take some significant energy levels to break them apart . The toxicity levels during actual construction, need to be carefully monitored, but once the part is completely cured, most of the concern goes away. I cannot see that fractures of the blade would be so numerous, that they would break up into tiny particles. And if one wishes to believe this, the manufacturing process has completely changed the molecular makeup of the material (the blade) so It can be reasoned the "harm factor" is significantly removed.

Personally having worked with a similar process mentioned above on a tiny scale vs replacement of fiberglass fiber insulation from Corning Glass-in my cellar, hands down it would super prefer the curing process.
Alan
USA - Sat 07/20/2024 - 23:40:27

I did not say they used insulation.I said fiberglass. I used insulation to illustrate- as most of us have used fiberglass insulation and understand that it is the fiberglass in the insulation that's the irritant with significant side effects if inhaled or ingested.They've only put up 4 turbines out of 64 so far and one has failed. This is not a good start. It's time to pause before more damage is done.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 07/20/2024 - 18:54:41

No one seems to care about the small particles of Styrofoam lobster trap buoys that are floating around, or the dinged up mooring buoys, or the fireworks detritus, or the balloons adrift that land in the water and become ingested by sea turtles.
Those turbine blades are NOT made from Fiberglas insulation, as they do float. This is an apples and oranges comparison of the risks involved between types of Fiberglas.
I have read some of the negative publicity from the Fishermen in CA, but just how does this relate to Vineyard Wind?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 07/20/2024 - 17:40:45

James Dempsey, I am sure you know it's when fiberglass is compromised like a 300 ft(football field length) turbine blade breaking into hundreds and thousands of pieces,exposing the interior glass particles, when it's toxic-not sitting in your sailboat. Anyone who has worked with fiberglass insulation knows that for a fact.You should wear a mask to avoid breathing in glass particles and it is deadly to marine mammals sea/life consuming it. All this debris we've seen is from ONE single blade which has travelled dozens of miles and continues to do so.A fair portion is below the surface which will never degrade. It is stunning and tragic that environmentalists and the public have bought into this.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 07/20/2024 - 06:12:22

If fiberglass were toxic to humans we'd all be sailing wooden boats.
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Fri 07/19/2024 - 21:57:14

As an FYI the following notice was issued by the Chatham Harbormaster vis a blast email, at approximately 7:30 this evening.

Subject: Notice to Mariners

At approximately 2:30 pm an 8' x 8' section of debris suspected to originate from the Vineyard Wind turbine blade failure was reported to the Harbormaster in the waters approximately 2-3 south southeast of Monomoy Island. This piece of debris was safely recovered and disposed of by Vineyard Wind. At approximately 4:30 pm the Harbormaster received a report of smaller pieces of similar debris in the same proximity.

Mariners are advised to keep a sharp lookout and use caution when transiting this area. Please report any debris spotted in the water to Vineyard Wind's Debris Reporting Hotline: 833-609-5768.
Local Mariner
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 07/19/2024 - 20:42:22

It just gets better and better:"Town of Chatham:Debris suspected to originate from the Vineyard Wind turbine blade failure has been reported in the waters approximately 2-3 miles south southeast of Monomoy Island.The public is asked to report any debris spotted in the water or onshore to Vineyard Wind's Debris Reporting Hotline: 833-609-5768.
If any suspected debris is spotted on a Town of Chatham public beach, please report it to a lifeguard or, if the beach is not guarded, call the Police. Department's non-emergency line at 508-945-1213 with its location." Turbine blades are made of fiberglass which can is toxic to humans and marine mammals and non-biodegradeable. So why is any of this good for the environment again?
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 07/19/2024 - 20:41:14

Departing out of Parker's Marina (Cataument) for MVY on sailing vessel we"ll be looking. Beautiful day.. So long
Alan
USA - Fri 07/19/2024 - 13:37:39

Update: "NANTUCKET - The rest of a giant broken Vineyard Wind turbine blade fell into the sea off Nantucket, Massachusetts Thursday."Remaining portion" of turbine blade down.
The town said in a statement that the "remaining portion of the blade had come down at approximately 6:40 AM."(yesterday)

The U.S. Coast Guard said they received a report of "a piece of debris, 300-feet in length" in the Atlantic Ocean. They warned all mariners in the area, just 15 miles south of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, to "use extreme caution" when passing through.
This is not ok.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 07/19/2024 - 11:37:20

Morning John - you are reading what folks choose to report. I urge you and others to check out these groups: New England Fishermen's Stewardship Association, Fishermen Against Offshore Wind, Environmentalists Against Offshore Wind, and Stop Solar Wind Farms. See what these folks report . The nightmare on Nantucket is only the beginning.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Fri 07/19/2024 - 07:23:19

Windfarms are working effectively all over the world. It is only time before they are working here. Take a look at the huge windfarms that have changed the
energy equation in western Europe. The impact on worldwide energy prices is huge.
We need every energy source available to us for growth to continue.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 07/18/2024 - 22:56:34

Richard before you give out anymore of your windfarm wisdom you should look into the real truth of what's going on not just believe the democratic propaganda . I am sure Captain Dave would be against them.
E Mallowes
Chatham , MA USA - Thu 07/18/2024 - 21:01:06

There are two types of wind farms -one based on firmly anchored monopoles, like Vineyard Wind, and one that has anchored floating turbines. The latter are what is being proposed for off the Outer Cape. The bases of the monopoles will soon be homes for all kinds of sea creatures. If the fishermen can't avoid an object in the ocean that is a mile away from the next turbine, then maybe they should consider another vocation.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 07/18/2024 - 20:23:50

I too was at the Cemetery Commission meeting yesterday and echo Judy's comments. Later I met with Quinn and had all my questions answered. If you are heir to the family plot, and you have a different name, be sure to bring your deed to him and add your name to the record.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 07/18/2024 - 18:57:27

KW - maybe you ought to start watching the meetings where he screams at town employees. Perhaps you didn't hear Schell say one meeting, it was going to end in fisticuffs where Oppenheim acted like an ass. Just because hes philanthropic does not mean he's a nice person. There's plenty of people that think he's wonderful. How a person treats others speaks volume for their character. I also bet you have no idea where and how he got his money either do you?
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Thu 07/18/2024 - 16:17:04

Interesting that Judy P, Elaine G, and others are piling on Oppenheim. You can certainly disagree with with him but questioning his intentions???? ReallY???
Look at what he and his wife have done over the years.
W. Chatham Neighborhood....
10 year vacant restaurant is a medical center.
Falling down Harding house, restored and now office of Fishing Group plus
four working family homes and a home with a pottery business, all in keeping
with the neighborhood goals.
Main Street:
Many restored buildings and businesses all maintained at all times
Scholarships: Todays Chronicle says 4 scholarships awarded to local students.
My family and many of our friends have received these over the years.
Eldredge Garage: Dedication this Friday. Town owned because he worked with the
family to insure it could be open space for Chatham.
Not sure but have heard that Ernie and Shareen were able to preserve the Twine
Field from development with his assistance.
I know many young business people who got their start with their help.
Friends have homes because of their generosity.
Has the family been successful? Obviously, but they give back to Chatham over and over.
Maybe you should be less critical and do something positive for Chatham instead of throwing stones at those that do.
KW
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 07/18/2024 - 12:23:07

Richard - you may want to ask the fishermen about this. The majority of them seem to be against it from what I've read. The Nantucket Current has done a great job of reporting this nightmare.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Thu 07/18/2024 - 06:58:08

Bill P: Is wind powered electricity really a bad idea? This turbine was not even on line yet. Ever had a lemon car?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 07/17/2024 - 19:09:57

Nantucket Current reports debris from a broken Vineyard Wind turbine blade washed ashore across southern Nantucket beaches, stretching from Madaket out to Nobadeer, on Tuesday.

We all knew this would happen and wind turbines was a bad idea.

Chatham boaters and beach-goers keep your eyes open for debris.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/17/2024 - 16:13:00

Richard, I once rented skiffs for John McGrath, Art Gould's son-in-law, just between Alton Kenney's boat yard and the Stage Harbor Yacht Club. Elisha was a
very skilled worker. To move a boat, usually a good-sized boat, he used a temporary marine railway. Only problem was that the yard did not have enough pieces of rail to reach the other side. My delight was Elisha moving the boat on to one piece of rail and then moving the back rail to the front and repeating the manoever until the boat was across the road and in place. It was like magic.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/17/2024 - 09:32:26

Ok, there was Elisha Bearse, George Bearse, Barry Bearse, his sister --- Bearse, and maybe other Bearse' s who lived on Cedar Street. Near the Roger Nickersons and the various other blue collar families that have been replaced by wealthy folks from "away".
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 07/16/2024 - 18:49:55

Thanks Tony:
I thought it might have been a Bearse that owned it. The restaurant owner thought it was from a sailboat at Stage Harbor. Waiting for Barry Fulcher to chime in.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 07/15/2024 - 17:44:55

Richard,It might have been Harry Bearse who I believe lived on Cedar St. where Black Duck Landing is now.
Tony Murphy
USA - Mon 07/15/2024 - 07:59:54

Went out to dinner at Moby Dicks in Wellfleet tonight. On the wall was a sign that read "Daisy Belle-
Stage Harbor". I do believe that it came from a Model A Ford, maybe a "beach wagon" but I don't remember who might have owned it.
Any ideas?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 07/14/2024 - 19:18:25

Richard - Call Chapin Sea Farms in Dennis.
dan young <danyoung97531@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/14/2024 - 07:02:56

Does anyone know why the CBI new "beach garden" was indefinitely closed.
AK
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 07/13/2024 - 20:09:08

Does anyone know where we can get whole belly clams that are harvested locally but not sent to a processor in Ipswich, opened and mixed in with lesser clams and sent back to the Cape? It seems like most restaurants are using the same source of clams to turn in to fried whole belly clams. Not talking about clam strips here.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 07/13/2024 - 18:43:38

Listening to "Radio Boston" on WBUR yesterday, there was a story by Aaron Pressman of the Boston Globe on the potential risk of EVs and vehicle fires. He presents a lot of good objective data, including the difficulty of putting out a lithium-ion battery fire. I thought some readers here might be interested in the story.

You can listen to it from your browser here:
https://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2024/07/12/electric-car-lithium-battery-crash
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Sat 07/13/2024 - 09:37:08

Elaine's most recent comments should be listened to by all of the Chatham voters. She is spot on with her comments.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 07/12/2024 - 17:47:30

Bill B. When the state legislature created the Affordable Housing Trust, they required 2 Select Board Members be seated as AH Trustees.Typical of legislators, they did not consider the fact they could vote twice. The bigger issue is that Mr. Schell is Chair of both the Trust and the Select Board which have two different missions. AS AH Trustee, his priority is clearly AH which is in conflict with his responsibility as Select Board Chair to do what is best for the entire town. He should not be able to vote twice. He should be required to pick a side. Certainly at minimum he should not be permitted to be Chair of both. It is a perceived conflict of interest at best. That is far to much power for one person- to set agendas for both and cut off debate.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 07/11/2024 - 15:26:15

I guess I don't understand how one individual can be allowed to vote
on two committees. Wouldn't the vote be skewed in favor of that person's position.
Bill B <bbantiqs@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 07/11/2024 - 12:02:41

Elaine
Have read your statement from Mr. Wonderful and what comes to mind, more the book (real life) than the movie is "Is Paris burning". The German General Dietrich von Cholitz received his orders in Aug of 1944, to burn down the city. He ultimately ignored those orders giving hope to the various French Resistance organizations including the individual Henri Rio Tanguy. So one might ask now, Is Chatham Burning?

Not sure where Amy is coming from, but I do understand the French Resistance (and Henri Rio Tanguy if he lived in Chatham today), would have done everything he/they could do to upset this appropriation of funds. It does not sound like selectman Schell is like this German General. Clearly you, Judy and Jarad see the issue thru the same lens, I would hope now that you bring everything in your powers to stop this train before it goes too far down the track. You have a foundation of three, you need to bring more Chatham folks into the Frey.
Alan
USAooK - Thu 07/11/2024 - 00:14:56

I was in contact with Quinn Forman over locating family plot lines and what could go where. He was very quick to respond and always had an answer for the question.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/10/2024 - 21:24:40

To change the subject a bit - I attended the Cemetery Commission meeting today. I was quite surprised at the agenda items these folks covered . They do not have enough help and they are not keen on the contractors that are handling the excess two cemeteries. I firmly believe they need more employees to accomplish the job of maintaining the cemeteries. There is a full time young man named Quinn Forman (sp) that is the new to the job and his plate is more than full. Those of us that attended were quite surprised and we were encouraged to write Quinn a letter in favor of hiring more people. I told them they should also be more proactive in asking for help.,Hopefully this goes somewhere. Good folks that care but they are definitely constrained as far as lack of employees.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/10/2024 - 20:47:20

Here's a warning for Chatham Store owners and hopefully request for heightened vigilance from Harwich and Chatham police departments. The following message is not a report, but actually happenings of high end stores in the Atlantic State shore area who are being broken into. The thieves taking hundreds of thousands of dollars $$$$$$. The owners have been crippled and the perpetrators are not currently getting caught
Alan
USA - Wed 07/10/2024 - 18:51:40

Last night's joint meeting of the BOS and AHT was very revealing. Dean NiCastro and Corey Metters both submitted well-researched and thought- out intelligent arguments against the choice of Penneose as our developer of both properties on the table. Several members of the AHT also voted for HAC and home ownership vs 100% rental units. Heads up....Chatham locals and old families! We are being railroadied by wash-a-shores who in a rush to decide will change our Town forever! Do we like what they have done so far with McMansions, excess Town employees, expensive consultants, fewer services, beaches a mess, swimming prohibited, etc. and shops on Main St. where you cannot buy anything you need.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/10/2024 - 17:46:06

Keeping personalities out of the discussion, I think the most important point made last evening, and I'm sorry I don't remember who said it, was the fact that town meeting was told attainable housing would be included when we voted in favor of the appropriation of the funds.
Amy
USA - Wed 07/10/2024 - 16:47:31

People that voted for him had no idea he was going to be so awful. Someone mentioned before - he'll be a one term Board member and not a minute longer with that type of attitude. Same for Oppenheim. They really need to step down. We have no use for their bullying and shenanigans.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Wed 07/10/2024 - 14:55:30

June 19 I wrote a letter to the SB why Pennrose should NOT be selected asking for confirmation it was received and read,following up twice.13 days Mr. Schell(Chair of both the Select Board and AH Trust-who gets to vote twice) finally replied."Dear Ms.Gibbs,I respond neither to your imperious insistence, nor your presumptuous sense of entitlement. I respond to end your 'fortnight' of demanding emails treating me and my colleagues as if we were subjects of a service of a legal process." My first reaction was who the heck uses 'fortnight'? The second was that's the pot calling the kettle black.The third was, this is the utter contempt and disdain these people have for taxpayers who disagree with them. I read his quote into the record at last night's meeting. No apology,no excuse,no shame,no embarrassment because he meant it. When they get done ruining Chatham with their terrible ill-informed decisions,they will move on to another cause and hobby and we'll be stuck forever with the mess they created. Agree Schell and Oppenheim should be forced to resign before there' no turning back.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/10/2024 - 14:25:57

Schell and Oppenheim should both be forced to resign. Their bullying and intimidation tactics and trying to stifle free speech is totally unacceptable in 2024. I called out one of them at the meeting last night for his bullying.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Wed 07/10/2024 - 13:16:38

Emily, sadly our town is now under the control of 3 individuals who put their self interests & egos ahead of the preferences of its' residents at large.
Dave Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/10/2024 - 11:35:01

Just wondering if anyone has a reasonable explanation why the restrooms at Chase Park are always locked . You would think that maybe on the 4th with the number of people in town they would have them open . It's been this way for a few years now .after traveling over our lovely roads thru out town there must be a few people in search of restrooms.
E Mallowes
USA - Tue 07/09/2024 - 14:26:36

How about a letter to a state regulatory board detailing the way Pennrose blatantly ignored the rules after bidding was closed? I believe Mr Ahern did it in Orleans. No amount of folks showing up on Tuesday will change their mind. People are blinded if they can't see who's running this town. Our town will be forever changed by these greedy people.
JudyP
W.Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/07/2024 - 20:27:44

Bill B.- Short of a mass of people showing up for the meeting at 5:30 on Tuesday probably not. I hope that occurs but few know about it.It is going to be a trainwreck. The Pennrose proposal has 74 of the 90 units between the 2 properties at 30% to 100% AMI's. They are required to be deed restricted to that amount in perpetuity. They can not be changed or removed if Chatham's demographics or needs change and Chatham residents don't qualify financially. And the "local preference" for those who live work or have children in the school district, is only for the first year. After that it is an open lottery and could go to people throughout the state with no connection to Chatham. Somehow it's morphed from year round housing to workforce potentially end up being seasonal. Not what we were promised. And they are all rentals with no option to buy. HAC was a far better proposal with less density.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/07/2024 - 15:46:14

Is anyone here surprised that Jill Goldsmith went with Penrose? She works for the Selectmen. On paper it may be her choice, but in reality the choice had been made. Do any of you really think she was going to go against the elected board that gives her glowing performance reviews?
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/07/2024 - 13:34:54

Is there any way this award can be blocked/delayed to
get the reviews suggested by Elaine Gibbs.?
Bill B <bbantiqs@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/07/2024 - 12:38:38

Looks like our Chief Procurement Officer has awarded Pennrose the contracts to build affordable housing despite the trouble they got themselves into in Orleans and against the wishes of many including the Chronicle. They lowballed everything and will undoubtedly come back to taxpayers asking for more money. I'm sure Mr Schell and Oppenheim are delighted since they pushed this firm incessantly despite the fact Pennrose has extremely questionable business practices.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/07/2024 - 09:31:09

Judy, and just as a P.S., the Procurement Officer for Chatham is Jill Goldsmith She waited to post it at 5:35PM Friday night when residents/taxpayers were going to the Chatham A's and band concert and have no idea this has occurred. She has made this choice, despite numerous request, without engaging an independant AH financial consultant to review the contract and financials which is routinely done by other towns. It is particularly important with Pennrose because there bid is inexplicably much lower than the other developers. This is a bad decision.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 07/07/2024 - 09:21:36

Thanks BobR!!

Have ya'll EVER seen the amount of people in town this past week? Crazy. Hopefully the shopkeepers did well.
JimP
USA - Sun 07/07/2024 - 08:49:50

Been in Eastham for 32 years - never have I seen traffic backups going in to the Transfer Station like I saw today. Also, traffic backups on Route 6. It does seem like this is busier than the recent past years. Predictable backups on Route 6 going off Cape this afternoon, all the way to the Burger King exit! The radio said it was an hour trip from Route 132 to the Canal.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 07/06/2024 - 16:20:28

Went shopping downtown with the family today. Quite the experience. People don't know how to drive. Surprised to see the Community Police kids (I don't remember the proper name for them) standing in stores instead of helping folks. Second time I've seen them talking and not paying attention to the traffic show. I'm sure they work hard but they need to be more visible and help some of these folks in and out of the parking messes they get themselves into. I think every year we have more and more visitors . Got to love the folks walking on the sidewalks with their noses in their phones.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 07/06/2024 - 15:48:01

Welcome back Jim!
BobR <zutcg444@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 07/04/2024 - 18:08:42

Happy 4th Everyone!! The Conch Twins are up here with us for the 4th. The weather has been a great reprieve from the Texas sun. The beaches and water are beautiful. We've got a lot to be thankful for....let's take a day and enjoy the freedoms given to us from the blood of Patriots.
JimP
USA - Thu 07/04/2024 - 05:30:50

Happy 4th of July to all on the CHAT-M-Room.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/03/2024 - 20:13:51

Can you imagine how few people there would have been to watch from the "Lights" the fireworks that were set off down on the beach for the 4th? The fishermen had a ringside seat, as it were, as they had raced down to the bar and came back and anchored up in front of the fireworks display. Fond memories.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 07/03/2024 - 19:32:33

Happy 4th of July to all on the CHAT-M-Room.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/03/2024 - 18:57:26

Why were the fireworks on Tuesday. Why not on the 4th? Even Wednesday or Friday would have been better.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/03/2024 - 17:40:30

Happy 4th of July to all on the CHAT-M-Room.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 07/03/2024 - 17:29:12

Hmmmmm While some members of the Chatham AH team (particularly Mr. Schell and Mr. Oppenheimer) seem to be seeking the Pulitzer Prize in how best to shut down Gov't, there is a considerable amount of maneuvering going on at the state level, which I have heard no one on the site speak of.

Right now (June 26) being introduced on the floor of the Ma. Senate Ways and Means Committee is bill LS 2834. This bill has been crafted to impact local housing initiatives and empower communities to assist in AH. Folks, we're talking about 5 $ billion in State bonding authorization. There is a major section of this will which includes dealing with "affordability and supply for seasonal housing with amendments taking place now.

Either your town manager and others mentioned above know about this and have said nothing or they have become dumb because they have not included the Chatham community. Whatever the case, some should be in contact with the chairmans (there are at least 3 Sen Reps,) of this bill to know more and establish Chatham input, like now, if it's not to late. And of course to see what would be necessary to secure some of the funds.

Failure to immediately look into this, on anyone's part, would be very disappointing to say the least. Could this bill impact Chatham's thinking on any plan for AH? Who knows, until someone makes the effort to investigate this, and for all I know, this is old news.
Alan
USA - Tue 07/02/2024 - 08:04:06

Richard -Our Town Manager makes over $200K per year. Just a little less than the Gov of Mass. I just hope she listens to the folks that are against Pennrose. John - a little more time to get this right won't hurt. Pushing full speed ahead on a half baked plan makes no sense at all.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 20:17:46

It was bad form on Schell's part as chairman to allow one member the time to speak his opinions but bar another from defending her position after she was specifically named in the first member's comments. I understand the desire to limit a back and forth and what might become an argument, but to have one member's position criticized and then told she may not respond, isn't right.

I haven't always agreed with Karolyn McClelland's positions, but no one can deny her commitment to providing affordable housing and making sure it's done right. I believe Schell is not the right guy for the job.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 19:20:44

Yes, when the Board of Selectmen served for no pay, and now the Manager gets well over $150,000 a year, plus a car and other perks. One has to wonder where his/her allegiance is.
How in touch, in this case, is she to the community?
I think the Selectmen might have gotten a stipend for travel expenses.
To appear before a Congressional committee about the proposed Cape Cod National Seashore, Bob and Dave went by train to DC. Wonder who paid for that ?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 18:06:03

I understand there are differences of opinion on the choice of developer for
housing. I understand that there are some who believe that the Select Board
and the members of the Affordable Housing Trust are not considering the wants
and needs of the people of Chatham. I hope an agreement can be reached, but my
firm belief is that Chatham needs to get started on these 2 projects and soon.
And immediate attention to Stepping Stones Road would also help. We worry about
young families leaving town and I wonder how many will be unable to wait for new
housing in Chatham. Compromise and negotiation are not banned concepts.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 17:59:38

To be sure, this was not the way the town operated, but unfortunately when you give up power to managers who are not elected, to investment groups, etc., this will be or is now the town's "new normal". I hope everyone can keep on top of it.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 11:45:11

My point about affordable housing was why there is a need in the first place. It is not a natural progression of a community, but one artificially, and as a MA land court judge recently ruled, illegally manifested not by citizens, families, or a growing community of Chatham, but a gutting of the community via investors and investor groups who have little interest in a certain type of resident and whose interests lie in having others pay as much as possible for what they, the investors, want and will need. Yes, affordable housing is needed now, but they are the primary reason why.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 11:21:50

Thanks Judy, education on this is key. I hope many others will express opinions on this as openly as you have here too. I am late to this "game" as one of the trustees called it.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 11:03:12

Hi Melissa - Folks do agree on the need for Affordable Housing. What most do not agree with is the way the Town Boards have gone about this. Pennrose has questionable ethics as Elaine as pointed out. For the Chairman of the Select Board, who "just happens to be" Chairman of the Affordable Housing Trust does not bode well for many of us. His term expired as Chair of the AHT on Sunday - yet interestingly enough, no appointment has been made as to the new Chair. All other boards that had folks terms expiring appointed new members last Tuesday. Will Mr. Schell be re-appointed? This will cause a lot more folks to question this the relationship between him and Mr. Oppenheim. We have spent years getting to the point where we are now with Affordable Housing. Just because Schell and Oppenheim are pushing for Pennrose and others are against it - it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate the process. There is a reason Mr. Nicastro, Metters, and Ms. McClelland have voted against this. We need to pay attention to them and re-evaluate the entire process. As I said before, Schell and Oppenheim should resign. They have done nothing but yell at Town employees in the most disrespectful tone ever, made fun of folks that voted against things at Town Meeting because they didn't get their way, and generally have been more than rude to anyone that questions them. This is not the way our Town operates. They need to go. If anyone questions any of these statements, pull up the meetings and watch. Many of us do our due diligence before commenting on this. It's time pay attention and see what they are going to pull next. I was surprised that even the Chronicle did not endorse Pennrose. There is a rat lurking in the background.
JudyP <judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 10:38:37

Agree with the last three comments completely. Yes, Judy, something doesn't smell right. When others are not allowed to speak and such a heavy hand is used, that's not a good sign. There are other genuinely good people in our town who listen and are respectful and have done a lot of due diligence who have been treated with a dismissive attitude. These people are trustees, but it seems many have lost trust in more than one of them. Also, if a person is involved in real estate investing in Chatham, that should be a conflict of interest. The reason more affordable housing is needed now is because low and middle income housing is being eaten up very quickly by these groups, exacerbating the need for taxpayers to pony up for affordable housing for their working poor. Nantucket has caught on and done something about it by restricting rental properties from operating in residential zones unless it is a primary home, and now Chatham needs to examine this and quickly. Year 'round residents, some new and those who have been here for generations should have the last word on what type of town they want, one that is disappearing into the hands of investor groups, or one that will remain a community far into the future. It is time to move to decide before that chance to do so is gone.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 10:01:27

Agree Judy.There's so much wrong with Pennrose.(1)They should be disqualified for repeatedly violating the MGL 30B Procurement Law by contacting Orleans for SIX months after the bids closed.(2)Pennrose(from their RFP)is "intentionally limiting parking spaces to the minimum required to promote alternative modes of transportation such as cycling and walking that are adjacent to public and retail amenities of town".OMG. Forcing tenants to walk, cycle take public transportation even in bad weather(and with children)for the most basic necessities-work, school,doctors,hospital,food shopping and drug stores-or buy an EV they can't afford to get one of the 24 designated EV parking spaces is simply appalling. None of these basic "amenities" even exist ANYWHERE within walking or cycling distance of West Chatham or South Chatham.The elitist attitude to intentionally control people's movement and behavior should offend every decent person. Merely struggling to exist versus thriving are not the same.It's condescending and insulting on every level. Chatham can do a LOT better- and without Schell and Oppenheim. Once this is done-it's FOREVER.There's no going back. But they'll have "workforce" people to wait on them at restaurants, cut their grass, do household repairs, and clean their houses and rental properties. That's what this has become about- not quality of life for Chatham residents who want to stay here but can't afford to.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 07/01/2024 - 06:24:34

The days when respectful, and respected, men like Bob McNeese, Dave Ryder, Ed Harrington and so many others who guided the Town of Chatham in what they seemed to be the best interests of the Town seem to be long gone.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 06/30/2024 - 17:40:51

I just watched the Affordable Housing Trust Comm meeting of June 26th. I watched the first ten minutes. I would very strongly suggest others make the time to watch this segment. Mr. Oppenheim was the ONLY individual "allowed" to speak and Mr. Schell allowed it. Mr. Oppenheim was furious at Mr. Metters, Mr. Nicastro, Ms. McClelland and Mr. Beane for writing the Chronicle letter this week. He said the letter was insulting to the AH Trustees, as well as an act of bad faith and that McClelland and Beane should resign. The Folks that did their homework do NOT want Pennrose. What has been promised to Pennrose? Ms. McClelland wanted to respond and Mr. Schell refused to let her, saying:" We're done". What makes Mr. Oppenheim and Mr. Schell think they have the final say over the developer? I think we have two very dangerous people on this Board and it is time for THEM to resign. Mr. Oppenheim seems to run everything and it is getting more than old. His tennis partner is both the Select Board Chairman as well as the Chair of the Affordable Housing Trust. Their shenanigans need to stop. Mr. Schell will never win a re-election vote to the Select Board. Never.
JudyP <judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/30/2024 - 16:44:57

The proposed wind turbines off the East Coast of the Cape are not the same as those of Vineyard Wind. The proposed ones are not monopoles but rather anchored . No matter how big an anchor chain link might be, it will still wear through due to ocean movement.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 06/29/2024 - 19:21:32

I saw that as well. On WKTK Friday they were talking about this and how members of the Barnstable Board of Selectmen were keeping a lot of pertinent info from people. It was a really interesting discussion where a member of another committee called in and spoke about the way they had violated open meeting laws etc in regard to this subject . I "believe"'the subject pertained to Avangrid and what they were planning to do in the Barnstable area.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 06/29/2024 - 16:07:32

In addition to affordable housing and EVs - would draw everyone's attention to offshore wind turbines...but now off the coast of the lower/outer: From the CC Times: "Three ocean areas east of Cape Cod may be some of the next marine real estate to be auctioned for offshore wind energy production, with some turbines possibly distantly visible, in very clear conditions, from the Atlantic Ocean bluffs in Truro. Located due east of Wellfleet and Truro, the areas total 363,305 acres starting about 24 miles offshore and stretching eastward. They are among eight potential lease areas --- adding up to nearly a million acres --- that the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has delineated for offshore wind projects off the coasts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. In anticipation of the sale, local legislators are working to ensure the outermost Cape towns are part of the discussion and residents are kept well-informed. The federal government is also gathering public comments." Public comments are being accepted at: https://www.regulations.gov/document/BOEM-2024-0026-0001.
Jen
USA - Sat 06/29/2024 - 11:27:22

The Information booth on Main St. has not received their supply of the a.annual Chatham "Guide" as of a few days ago! I missed the first band concert!! The people are HERE, people....wake up Chamber and Merchants Assoc.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 06/29/2024 - 04:54:27

The Town of Eastham is taking steps to STOP the free charging of EV's. That is where the theme comes from.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 06/28/2024 - 15:25:38

Judy, you and others are welcome to discuss that but as I stated on June 14, EV charging IS relevant to Chatham and can be discussed simultaneously here. It's an open forum and not just one topic.
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
S Chatham , MA USA - Fri 06/28/2024 - 08:36:37

Once again - to bring this back to issues concerning Chatham residents -,Richard ,Allan can we please focus on the impending issue that is affordable housing?
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Thu 06/27/2024 - 23:20:56

Richard
To my knowledge, there is no state or township across the US allowing free charging. And if you were to address township vehicles charging at Chatham charging stations, I am sure there would be recorded docs for each and every charge taken. Where are you coming up with this free charge theme? Where EV's are concerned the key concept is the KW hours consumed per single charge matched with a given makers range. So as an example, Tesla's dual long range battery allows one to go 330 miles/full charged battery. Not many other makers can match the Tesla Batt.
Alan
USA - Thu 06/27/2024 - 20:34:40

Cape Associates in Eastham has set up two charging stations on Massasoit Road. They have a new pole to feed the stations but there are no wires connected . Not sure if one could recharge there yet.

If EV cars are supported by the Town of Chatham, and can recharge for free, then where do people who have say a Rav-4 Non hybrid that gets 34 MPG on the highway line up for free gas?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 06/27/2024 - 17:35:19

Outstanding LTE in Chronicle today by a few Select Board and Affordable Housing Trust members. For the town to accept any other suggestion is insane.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 06/26/2024 - 22:08:47

Swinging back to EV charging stations, a report out this week says 50% of current EV owners want to go back to combustion vehicles, just too many problems and hassles with their current vehicles. The makers are either going bankrupt or eating their profits from their gas powered fleets. Chatham should wait before sinking money into many of these charging stations. The number of EVs should be going down for at least a few years.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 06/25/2024 - 17:09:01

Since there are more than 12,000 sources of PFAS, I would be quite reluctant to mark anything "safe" in our drinking water until it has been proven to be safe.
BobR <zutcg444@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 06/25/2024 - 16:30:32

John- The short answer is NOPE. Mill Hill Rd- McGrath property- has been before the BOH/DEP,other Town departments and Town Counsel for over 3 years as well as Town Meeting to allocate cleanup funds and it is worse than ever.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 06/25/2024 - 15:38:37

A question for the CHAT-M-Room. Can a neighbor or a citizen of Chatham do anything legally to encourage an owner of a building that has become an eyesore
to do something to improve the appearance of that building?
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 06/25/2024 - 10:37:06

Hard to believe that anything installed at the Marconi Site Antenna Array would be the source of PFAS chemicals in the Town of Chatham Wells. They even had a septic lagoon there! Between the Hotel and the Main Building. But that is not a source of PFAS.
Perhaps closer scrutiny should be given to the Airport, and the businesses in Commerce Park.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 06/24/2024 - 18:05:44

Bill B - it's in the contract - did you read it?
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/23/2024 - 20:25:15

Creosote probably would be the drug of choice for poles installed in the ground originally for the Marconi site.
Yes, the income stream for the Airport seems to be suspect. As is the number of employees quoted.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 06/23/2024 - 18:43:05

Can anyone tell me if the Chatham Airport generates any income back to the town ?If so, how much ?
Thanks
Bill B.
Bill B <bbantiqs@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/23/2024 - 14:41:06

As a thought on Bob R's observation, could it possible to send a sample cross section of 1-2 poles for testing of any 1 of the six most common PFAS compounds at a lab knowledgeable with this chemistry? This should not be that all expensive and the evaluation would supply a starting point to work from, unless there is something established already. You won't know until you ask.
Alan
USA - Sun 06/23/2024 - 14:37:57

Jared, I wish that I knew more about the PFAS issues. One possibility could be the proliferation of very heavily laden, deeply buried wooden poles on all sides of the former RCA property. I suppose a quick check of remaining poles, underground, would answer the questions.
BobR <zutcg444@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/23/2024 - 13:47:10

As far as the PFAS detected in the Training Field well, RCA owned nearly all of that acreage until about 1985, I believe. The Navy controlled the property during both world wars. That's the only industrial use of the property I can think of that may be the cause of the chemicals found. Not sure it would explain contamination in the Indian Hill well. Any thoughts on this, Bob Ryder?
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/23/2024 - 12:40:12

Good luck to all the participants today in the Harbor Road Race!!
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/23/2024 - 12:33:36

PFAS
Maybe not much happening on This good site or the Chatham Township but there is much happening with gov't agencies. Perhaps some of you might feel the below info is too technical, but last I understood, Chatham officials did not know where the the PFAS pollutants are even coming from? Any community having PFAS problems need to stay updated to determine if there are solutions to these issues. One might also wish to understand, that to think about water tables decreasing due to extreme heat is too early, I suspect that major water restrictions will be coming about sooner rather than later. Any decrease in water levels will almost have to increase the levels of toxic PFAS levels!

As example on Nov 16 2023 PFAS chemical lists and Tiered testing methods descriptions for 75 samples prioritized by researchers to generate test data.

On Feb 1 2024 one of the US Governments most important release of information, the Federal Register on Feb1,2024, provided a new list of known PFAS compounds that identifies them in CompTox ( an online database of chemical toxicity and exposure information. Another release on Feb 8, 2024 releases info centered around 1 Perfluorooctanoic acid CAS# 335-67-1 describing its make up of 8 carbon atoms with 7 fully florinated carbon atoms and 1 carboxylic acid. The Europeans have recently an extended list of 70 Analytes.

Are Chatham officials making releases as to what they know now? Are they following the newest releases of info and how they are proceeding, as it seems to me that this subject needs forefront concern!
Alan
USA - Sun 06/23/2024 - 11:43:52

Yes, way lots more people here this weekend - the start of the season for many. I predict that this will be busier than other Summers in recent memory.
This afternoon, traffic on Route 6 in Eastham was stopped both ways while a loose dog was recaptured. Yes, we do have a leash law, but some dog owners seem entitled.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 06/22/2024 - 17:29:39

June and Chatham are "busting out all over"! A foggy day, Marin St. mobbed, parking Impossible and illegal everywhere but I did see a car being ticketed behind the colonial building by Chatham's finest...just a little sneaky parking spot....no big deal.kids everywhere! All cars andwalkers glued to their GPS hand helds or car screens which tell them to take Queen Anne Rd to get to Main St. from the traffic light....no wonder I feel like I am a spectator at the Indy 500....Oh well. Looking forward to cheering on the folks in the Harbor Run t o orrow! Wave!
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 06/22/2024 - 14:42:09

Absolutely right John! And two weeks after Labor Day is Thanksgiving!
Tony Murphy
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sat 06/22/2024 - 14:37:51

Absolutely right John! And two weeks after Labor Day is Thanksgiving!
Tony Murphy
USA - Sat 06/22/2024 - 14:36:46

An old Cape Codder once told me to be sure to enjoy June, because once the 4th of
July came, the summer was half over. Over the years, I've learned he was right.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 06/22/2024 - 11:36:13

Here's the link to the AMSA(Airport Manager's Service Agreement). He runs multiple businesses out of the airport including Stick'n Rudder approved by the Airport Commission. They should have a list of all his businesses and contracts with car rentals and jet charters. https://www.chatham-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1980/Airport-Management-Service-Agreement-2017-PDF?bidId=
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 06/22/2024 - 07:03:54

Bill - you may want to request a copy of his contract. For every single thing that goes on at the airport part of it goes in his pocket . I believe that includes the restaurant and hangar fees as well. If this is not correct I hope someone speaks up. He has ten year contract. I had a copy of it at one point but can't find it. I'm sure one of my friends here does.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Fri 06/21/2024 - 18:51:43

Chatham charter plane forced landing. Story in the Chronicle.

This part caught my eye and was new info to me.

(Tim Howard, president of the charter company and Chatham Airport manager.)

Does this seem like a conflict of interest? Especially in light of recent changes being asked by the Airport.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 06/21/2024 - 16:40:55

Hello Chatham Community,

Wow this chat has really come to life over this EV thread. Begs the questions: Should we expand EV charging infrastructure at the expense of our town's traditional charm and potentially higher costs?

While EVs offer environmental benefits, they require significant changes to our landscape and could alter the historical character we value. However, adopting this technology might also position Chatham as a leader in environmental innovation and attract new residents.

What are your thoughts on balancing modernization with tradition? Let's discuss this in person at the bandstand on July 7th. Your insights are invaluable as we consider the path forward for our town.

Looking forward to a spirited discussion! Reply "EV at the Bandstand" if you are interested in attending this moderated discussion
Gil Totem <Gtotem@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 06/20/2024 - 11:42:41

Tony and John; A few years ago I saw a Tesla get T Boned by a truck on Rt.41 in Naples Fla. The Tesla was pushed sideways across 41 and up a small hill.I was going to an appointment aways up the road,When I got back to the scene a half an hour later, the driver and his passenger, an older women,were still in the car.the lady had her arm out the window hanging limply.I asked a man standing near, if they were killed. He said he didn't know but the fire department could not get too the people because they could not use the Jaws Of Life because of the shock hasard and potential of fire.The fire dept had not been trained at that time . I felt bad for that couple and decided I wouldent wanta bomb like that !!
Barry Fulcher <barsyl4041@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 06/17/2024 - 23:25:27

James D: You're not addressing the issue that is relevant, which is the SEVERITY of an EV fire and the large amount of resources needed to extinguish it! Doesn't matter if there's less of them when a conventional fuel vehicle fire can easily be contained in most all cases with one fire truck/engine in a few minutes with minimal water use while an EV fire usually requires multiple FD units for hours at times and-25-40 thousand gallons of water and/or foam.
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Sun 06/16/2024 - 19:18:31

I don't think that a lot of people who oppose EVs are taking into account that this industry is in its infancy. Technologies will evolve, materials used in the assembly of these vehicles will change and batteries will become safer and more efficient. Imagine if someone saw the Wright Brothers plane in 1906 and predicted that one day this concept will transport hundreds of people at a time from New York to London in 6 hours. They would have been laughed at.
Tony Murphy
USA - Sun 06/16/2024 - 16:59:47

Elaine B Gibbs: That article was not using data 'solely from the "The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency"'. I'm not sure you read it completely.

It had data from government agencies from Sweden, Norway and Australia. EV adoption in the nordic countries is much higher than in the US. In addition, it said that Tesla figures show that "the number of fires on US roads involving Teslas from 2012 to 2021 was 11 times lower per mile than the figure for all cars, the vast majority of which have petrol or diesel engines."
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Sun 06/16/2024 - 15:19:14

I am not sure if it's normally that much water to put out an EV fire, but it's usually requires way MUCH more than the typical 500/1000/1500/etc gallons that a fire engine or truck carries. So either access to hydrant is needed or a tanker convoy. In some cases, they have used a front end loader to bury the vehicle in dirt from near the fire.
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Sun 06/16/2024 - 13:24:25

Mr. Dempsey, the article you reference is relying on data solely from the "The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency" whatever that is. It takes on average 40,000 gallons of water to put out a lithium battery fire in addition to the dangers previously stated for firefighters.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/16/2024 - 10:05:11

In a year, there are 3.8 fires per 100,000 EVs versus 68 fires per 100,000 vehicles for gas and diesel powered vehicles.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/20/do-electric-cars-pose-a-greater-fire-risk-than-petrol-or-diesel-vehicles
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Sun 06/16/2024 - 07:46:17

Amen......John!
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 06/15/2024 - 03:30:25

The is a Chatham issue. The Select Board recently endorsed a town policy to install EV stations on All municipal properties."Fires in electric vehicles powered by high-voltage lithium-ion batteries pose the risk of electric shock to emergency responders from exposure to the high-voltage components of a damaged lithium-ion battery.Damaged cells in the battery can experience uncontrolled increases in temperature and pressure(thermal runaway),which can lead to hazards such as battery reignition/fire".Imagine that happening in the Airport Parking lot near fuel tanks, in a densely populated Affordable Housing Complex,downtown at the Eldredge Parking lot full of tourists,the Town Hall Parking lot or beaches and parks. In addition to the potential human loss,the potential Town liability could be astronomical. Gas stations are privately owned.So should EV charging stations. That should not be the role of government-or taxpayers-most who either don't own EVs or have home chargers.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 06/14/2024 - 14:02:49

Bill P.: EV chargers and EV fires are relevant to Chatham as you pointed out. Especially as in some cases, fire departments have used the ARFF trucks from an airport to finish getting an EV fire out.
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
S Chatham , MA USA - Fri 06/14/2024 - 12:18:06

Chatham is discussing EV chargers. So maybe EV fires may be relevant to Chatham. I don't think it was posted out of the blue and it was only 1 post with 2 comments.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 06/14/2024 - 11:37:18

Right ON-Thanks John
Bill B <bbantiqs@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 06/14/2024 - 11:00:15

Thank you, Bill P.
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Fri 06/14/2024 - 07:39:32

Amen......John!
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 06/14/2024 - 05:33:14

Wouldn't it be nice to have all the CHAT-M-Room entries be about Chatham.
Perhaps culture warriors could battle elsewhere.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 06/13/2024 - 17:58:24

"Firefighters working in the tunnel were able to quickly extinguish two of the cars, according to fire officials. They said the third car was a hybrid that took longer to extinguish."

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/05/24/cars-catch-fire-in-bostons-ted-williams-tunnel-snarling-memorial-day-weekend-traffic/
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 06/13/2024 - 12:28:55

I'm surprised there are no comments here about the meeting last night. Maybe no one saw the part where the gentleman from Orleans got up and accused Penrose with colluding with the Housing Chair Trust Alan McClennan. He had handouts that were given to TM stating that they were evidence to a deliberate lack of fairness and evidence of collusion between the McClenan and Penrose. . You can request the handout to see for yourself from our TM. The Chronicle did an article on it today just saying Penrose withdrew from the Orleans project. The individuals from Penrose at the meeting last night were clearly upset when this man spoke. The Chronicle also did an article on this meeting and what happened. It's was more than obvious that a few members of the Board and the AHT do not want Penrose. Of course Schell and Oppenheim are pushing for this. I would strongly suggest anyone with any interest in this at all watch the meeting, see the ugly designs and how they do not conform to the height requirements as set forth by our town. It's going to be a long, process and these people - all of them need to be watched closely.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 06/12/2024 - 18:30:42

James: YouTube video WCVB Boston. It takes much longer to extinguish EV battery fires.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Wed 06/12/2024 - 14:50:43

Does anyone have an explanation for the significant erosion at Cockle Cove Beach? Is it directly related to the new construction??
Dave Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 06/12/2024 - 13:41:58

AK - can you point me to an article that says that either of the two fires in the tunnel over Memorial Day weekend were EV battery-related? I cannot find any documentation of that.
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Wed 06/12/2024 - 12:32:43

I was in Boston Memorial Day weekend. There was a fire in the tunnel. It lasted hours and was difficult to extinguish. It was an EV battery fire.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Tue 06/11/2024 - 18:41:40

Two new charging stations were installed yesterday at Cape Associates in Eastham. With a new pole, underground utilities, etc., this was not cheap. Will get back to those who are interested in such things with their charges will be , etc.
Looks like Eastham will no longer be offering free charging at Town Hall or the Library .
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 06/11/2024 - 17:43:26

Confining my comments to the negativity expressed about the so called "cookie cutter"homes done by the developer in Eastham, I have not heard of any complaints from any of the inhabitants, or townspeople, about who lives there. Seems they are happy to find a place to live.
Better than a community turnip field, as was proposed by Nate Nickerson of Arnold's Restaurant fame.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 06/11/2024 - 17:35:32

I don't have an EV nor ever wan one so I might be wrong but I don't recall even seeing that many EV chargers at service plazas or other commercial locations! Even five would likely be enough!
J Hallgren (as user)
S Chatham , MA USA - Tue 06/11/2024 - 15:48:38

Thank you Dick. You are correct. I learned something.
So I tend to agree that perhaps the EV charging stations taking up parking spaces should be reviewed and possibly removed.....will be interesting to watch tonight to see what the thinking was on this....
Amy
USA - Tue 06/11/2024 - 15:25:56

Amy, Corrola highbrids and Prius do not need charging stations.
Dick Fulcher <dick.marie@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 06/11/2024 - 12:55:20

Guys - Chatham has a meeting tonite that could affect the entire town regarding affordable building units. If this goes through our town will never be the same. The character of the town will be forever ruined if these designs go through. Can you please take your non-Chatham arguments offline. It's getting old.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Tue 06/11/2024 - 07:23:10

Dedicated to the 1963 crew of the USS Thresher, LCMD John Wesley Harvey Commanding Officer and his wife Irene and Ms Lori Arsenault whose Dad, Tilman, passed on, in the sinking of this sub. Those-in the room might wish to understand that the SSN 593 remains on eternal patrol-forever they sail.

Richard, please let try to refresh your memory if the assignment you spoke of was so important, remember these folks during the day:
Adm Rickover, he individually wrote letters of condolences to every member on board the submarine Thresher
Adm E.W. Greenfell Commander of United States Atlantic Fleet
Adm Robert L Donnison Commander and Chief United States Atlantic Fleet
Adm George W Anderson Chief of Naval Operations, Washington DC

So now, as you so often do, take this pompous attitude of your contribution to your veteran experience, then you might take a moment to express your gratitude to the crew and their families of the USS Thresher, as you are indicating the fact that you were an escort to an Adm.'s mother and can't even remember her name. It's in no way something I would be proud of and forget about the fact of your ugly comment that it's not my business.

For myself and as expressed before, I enlisted, received a DD 214, have an honorable discharge for faithfully serving and have no service record to brag about which I assume is the case for the most of us out there and we have moved on. I am in the belief that No vet who has served should be admonished, but when you Ryders "story drop" to explain how great you are, you should not get a routine pass. Thank you for your service.
Alan
USA - Mon 06/10/2024 - 21:21:07

Alan, as a member of the Navy Medical Community for 20 years, I did not know her name, and if I did it would be none of your business. You can find out for yourself who the Admiral at the time was, seeing how you are "all knowing and all seeing " on so many military subjects.
Can you tell me about your active duty military career? Or is it a secret?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 06/10/2024 - 17:50:50

The deep rooted political "angles" to be played out with affordable housing issue have yet to all fully have been played out. I like this one, any semblance of a town with young people or families. The key to this observation might be, which young people?

Seeing this play out in other places the govt officials and the working crowd for them could not wait for the units to be constructed. Their main objective was not to provide a home for themselves, but to maneuver 2-3 of their young family members into securing the best properties on hand for the least amount of funds.

So yes, the concept of rolling out of bed and going to work for the town with AH was nearly meaningless, rather wealth management for the "tuned in" before others recognized what was happening became a major focus in the game.
Alan
USA - Mon 06/10/2024 - 11:12:10

How about we stick to affordable housing and not try and solve the world climate change problem too when there's already insufficient parking at the site with 24 EV spaces between the 2 properties? There's not enough parking there as is.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Mon 06/10/2024 - 08:23:40

Amy, If you have not looked at the 5 RFPs for the 2 properties they are each 141-171 pages. Links are located on the Affordable Housing department site. That is where all the renderings and elevations are. I am not going to rely on presenters deciding what they are going to include in their presentations. At this late hour, if the public hasn't reviewed them I suggest you at least go to the SB Agenda packet beginning at page 21 for the summary of each proposal. Had we been involved since the RFPS were received April 25, a fire drill would not be necessary.We have to live with the decisions made by a few in perpetuity- and that's a very long time.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 06/10/2024 - 08:03:03

I think we should hear the presentations on Tues before jumping all over the plans. People who said the affordable trust members and select board just wanted maximum density were wrong. We have to get off the mark on this affordable housing business if we want any semblance of a town with young people or families. Orleans gets it. We used to be the leader in these types of things (like town sewering). It's still years away from actually happening. A few units here and there won't help solve our problem. My biggest concern is the lack of attainable housing for people who work in jobs that pay "too much" but not enough to pay for a $700k starter home.
As for electric vehicles......a Prius or Corolla hybrid start in the mid 20s. Not all e vehicles are teslas.....
Having EV charging stations is in line with our environmental/climate change committee goals.
Amy
USA - Mon 06/10/2024 - 06:27:22

I have to disagree John. On the Buckley property alone there are 10 structures and they are MASSIVE over 3 acres of land that will be clear cut. It will take years for landscaping to grow to shield it. The "stack" units are 35 ft high (5 ft higher than ZBA allows) and 70 ft wide. To put it in perspective, that's 2/3 the width of the Community Center brick portion and 7-10 ft higher. And there are 7 of them.The Buckley "Community Building" on the road is 100 ft long. The occupancy will be well over 200. There is insufficient parking for that many potential tenants with only 63 spaces -13 designated for EV's. There is no quest parking. Meetinghouse is similar in the size of the buildings.And will have occupancy close to 200 as well. They did not listen. Not at all.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/09/2024 - 20:29:05

48 units at the Buckley property and 42 at Meetinghouse is very reasonable. I
think the choice of Penrose is very good. They are the developer at the former
Cape Cod 5 building in Orleans and have been very professional in all their
dealings with the town. 90 units is a good bite for Chatham and the number
means that the Select Board and the Housing Trust were listening to all those
who were afraid of a huge number of units.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/09/2024 - 19:05:17

Bill -Penrose is the selected developer that our Town Manager has selected. Buckley property is also having 13 electric charging stations! If these folks can afford an electric car they don't belong in affordable housing. People are livid. I hope folks show up Tuesday night for the BOS meeting. So many things wrong with this.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/09/2024 - 17:36:11

48 units at Buckley and 42 at Meetinghouse. With that many they must be apartment style.

Pennrose LLC is the developer.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 06/09/2024 - 12:31:05

Richard
Just curious, who was this Adm. mother you were escorting and were you or her present for the eulogy?
Alan
USA - Sun 06/09/2024 - 08:04:36

I was an HM2 at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, NH when the Thresher was lost. The Hospital CO asked me to be an escort for the Admiral's mother who was to be committed to a NH facility for such troubled souls. She had a hard time dealing with the loss of the Thresher Crew, as I am sure her son did. It was a tough time for the Navy submarine community.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 06/08/2024 - 17:43:15

Thanks Alan,
As a crew member of the "Theodore Roosevelt" SSBN600 third of many more to come.
I knew guys on both the Scorpion & Thresher.
A video of The USS Ohio is available on U-Tube and worth watching.
Bill B <bbantiqs@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 06/08/2024 - 12:34:52

It is often said, the real hero's out there are the ones that don't come home. Far more interesting to me when we speak of the sea, would be stories about the crew families of the USS Thresher or the USS Scorpion carried on and the hardships they must have faced.

I hardly hear anything from the families of Adm Rickover, who moved the US Navy to build the Los Angels Class of subs and provided an unmatched level of safety on the sea. Even to this day, there probably as many as 30 L.A. class subs still in operation today. We had a glimpse of the how the decommissioned sub built by Electric Boat, "Dallas" during the movie "Red October performed for the American people.

The crews of these boats go out and do their jobs and we never hear from them or their service.
Alan
USA - Sat 06/08/2024 - 08:21:55

Thanks Bob. You have been a keen observer of all things at sea. As well as the Panama Canal. And the bayou's of LA.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 06/07/2024 - 18:05:34

I can't recall the exact date, but during late spring 1968 or 1969 I witnessed a very large group of Orcas, within sight of land, turning the ocean red with tunafish blood. Terrible and awesome at the same time. That was the only time, thank goodness!
BobR <zutcg444@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 06/07/2024 - 07:51:05

If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye...

https://youtu.be/8k9Si28k0Fk?si=ecwj7Ua59no9x2vp

My Uncle Ray landed at Normandy with the 101st Airborne. He was just a kid. He paid for that experience the rest of his life. There are not enough thank you's.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 06/06/2024 - 21:17:37

I agree Melissa. God Bless America and thanks dad for fighting for our freedom.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Thu 06/06/2024 - 20:10:58

Also, if it hasn't been mentioned here before, the Apple TV series "Masters of the Air" may draw in the younger generation to the courage those men had to give all of themselves for our freedom. It is a very well done Spielberg / Hanks production.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 06/06/2024 - 18:48:02

D-Day should be a mutual international holiday with the US, France, Great Britain and any of the other countries who were participants. We should never forget, but I fear the young among us are barely given a mention to it in their current day curricula. Memorial Day is not enough.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 06/06/2024 - 18:05:12

Yes Susie, 4400 men died today at Normandy. The sea was red with their blood. The French President and ours, Joe Biden, made it there to honor those who died. Whether it rained or not, they showed up.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 06/06/2024 - 16:42:36

And unless you forgot-Today is the Anniversary of D-Day.
Thanks, Dad.
Susie <susiefishback@comcast.net>
Chathamm, MA USA - Thu 06/06/2024 - 10:58:17

Lots of upcoming Chatham events--may be last chance to see locals in their natural habitat for a while.
Today,-- Open House at COA from 4 to 6 pm--
Saturday Chatham Airport Open House 10-2---
Chatham History Weekend June 14th though the 16th. (Details in Chronicle? --various Town museums and sites open during that time.)
and Today--Elwood's Raw Bar opens (next to Chatham Perk and Chatham Works) Can't get any more local than that!!
susie <susiefishback@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 06/06/2024 - 10:46:30

I agree about Joshua James, Richard. Quite the man.

In Aug 2015, I toured the USCG Legend-class cutter Joshua James at US Coast Guard Base Boston during her Commissioning weekend. 400+ feet long. It is quite the ship. The main gun is a 57mm unit firing over 200 rounds per minute. Completely computer controlled It can launch and recover 26ft and 35ft boats while underway. And it has a hanger and landing deck for one of the CG 65C helicopters. It's fitting tribute to Mr. Joshua James - he would have thought it science fiction! I think its home base is in South Carolina.
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Wed 06/05/2024 - 19:34:10

If you want to read about a man who cared about others, go to Wikipedia and search Joshua James. He died in 1902, distressed about the Monomoy Disaster .
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 06/05/2024 - 17:37:14

Having read the latest news about an Orca off Chatham, I wonder if Dave Ryder or Bob Ryder, in their many years fishing off Chatham, ever saw an Orca? I believe they had a combined 85 years fishing on the local waters. Both Captains were keen observers of what was going on around them.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 06/05/2024 - 16:57:20

Back to the COA: use the land in South Chatham to build a new COA and Community Centre like in Harwich. Turn the current community centre into affordable housing and let the workers walk to work, no transportation needed.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Wed 06/05/2024 - 11:10:51

AK, Chatham doesn't like to do maintenance. They like to build new shiny things and then let them rot moving on to the next new shiny thing.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 06/03/2024 - 16:54:24

Who takes care of the rotary plantings? The rotary in town looks okay but West Chatham is overgrown with weeds and the sidewalks are overgrown as well. It seems the focus is always on downtown and the heck with everyone else.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Mon 06/03/2024 - 16:35:08

"Don't stop believing". You wish to see an amazing singing performance. Take 3 min out of your life and do a google/utube on America's got talent-Richard Goodall and tell me that's not inspirational. Don't worry about his clothes, you won't find too many like this guy!
Alan
USA - Sun 06/02/2024 - 23:49:41

All of the male class mates of CHS Class of 1957 served in one branch or another of the military. Some for their original commitment, some for 20 or more as I did. I have never been asked to speak at any Memorial Day Service , probably because my uniform has shrunk iso much in the closet.
But, I do have things to offer, now that veterans are being respected again.
Like the Red Sox, I can wait til next year.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 06/01/2024 - 18:10:21

"Fence Sitters". Hmmmmm. These folks usually look left, look right to see who moves, then they move if enough folks jump off. Real risk takers.
Alan
USA - Fri 05/31/2024 - 17:42:05

Beautifully stated, Susie Fishback! I wholeheartedly agree. Thank you for being you.
Carol Ann (Howe) Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Fri 05/31/2024 - 10:55:32

Regardless of local politics, being dressed appropriately at this solemn occasion is the least we can ask. Somehow we have forgotten basic decency. Our parents taught us better.
Peter W Taylor <denise.taylor1@comcast.net>
CHATHAM, MA USA - Thu 05/30/2024 - 20:33:30

Elaine/Judy
What is clear to me is that both of you have been passionately articulating the chicanery that is taking place with the combination of the BOS/the Housing Authority and their closed meetings. Just as the fallen have provided a service to the town of Chatham/Country, whether you wish to admit it or not, you are routinely involved with political combat.

What do you think those soldiers died for, forgive me, certainly not for the cloths these two BOS wore at the ceremony whether you see it as despicable or otherwise. And just as someone attempted to call you out for not being in attendance, to me you are more than making yourself present for there is no greater call than to have the courage to speak on the behalf of true justice and the way matters could and should be handled, "for the people." Your fearless willingness to face the consequences is beyond which most are willing to engage in. You can be sure your service is welcomed by every Vet

So yes, those who are thrive in the support of non transparent Gov't should be called out and the same should hold true for those Gov't officials who don't have the backbone to correct "mistakes" when they see it happening in front of them.

The July 4th parade is upon us, there would be no better place than to expose some of these folks.
Alan
USA - Thu 05/30/2024 - 09:50:06

Apparently those who have been critical weren't clear. This is not about private citizens -at all. It is ONLY directed at 2 members of the Select Board who were elected to represent Chatham and were there in their official capacity. Their photos in jeans and baseball caps are all over the internet. If they can wear proper attire and ditch the baseball caps at SB meetings, Town Meeting, and at parties they throw, how did they not think to do it on the most solemn of days? Police, military, Boy Scouts and musicians were all properly attired for the Service.They should have been.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 20:50:27

From the importance of dressing appropriately to just showing up...it appears standards do slip over time. A modicum of effort in apparel is not too much to ask of our selectmen at a somber and important ceremony. The service members showed up AND dressed appropriately, didn't they. Town leaders should do the same, no excuses. If anyone asks where was I, I was driving back from an active duty service member's home down south.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 20:05:46

Susie - I understand what you're saying - but I think we deserve better from people we elect to serve the Town.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 19:43:28

Judy/Elaine, Memorial Day is about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is not a fashion show. It is not a time to shame your neighbors for what they chose to wear when they showed up to honor the fallen. My question to you is - did either of you show up? Going forward I hope you stick to the issues you both know so well, because your recent posts appear petty and only undermine your position of credibility.
LizS
USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 19:25:59

Susie - I understand what you're saying - but I think we deserve better from people we elect to serve the Town.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 17:17:36

On the fence about this one---and it is uncomfortable as it is a picket fence.
There is the matter of respect but then there is the importance of just showing up.
Showing up to hear the speakers, showing up to say the Pledge of Allegiance, showing up to join in singing the national anthem, showing up to join in a moment of silence for those veterans we honor.
A blind man would not notice what everyone wore-but he would have felt the respect and the feeling of love for our country in the words spoken and sung on Monday. Thanks to the veterans and all who just show up.
Susie <susiefishback@comcast.net>
Chathamm, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 17:08:09

It's a matter of respect. I'm surprised so few get it. To have Town representatives that have zero respect for the deceased at a Memorial Day gathering tells one all they need to know. Remember this next year when "one and done"'Schell is up for re-election.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 14:43:07

Alan do you know what we're talking about? These are Select Board Members who represent Chatham in their official capacity. I expect better. It isn't an either or. I don't need to know more.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 14:38:51

Somehow, for me, it never bothered to me how people dressed, I was more concerned about how honest they are, what they contributed and what their soul is made of. When the chips are down, are they running or are they staying?
Alan
USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 14:32:22

Cynthia - maybe if you had an inkling of the freedoms you enjoy thanks to the military men and women who served this country you'd agree. It's sad you think we are judgmental when you have representatives of this town dress like indigents for such a solemn day.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 14:24:28

And you are right, Cynthia, the only people the town's elected leaders had to dress for are dead, not any of the soldiers who have put their lives on the line for us who were present, so why bother?
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 12:02:41

I'll have to remember that angle the next time I get dressed for a wedding. To hell with all those "judgmental people", I'm wearing my jeans! After all, it's all about me, no need to be respectful to anyone else with what I wear.
.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 11:24:36

Last Thoughts of a dying soldier
I hope once a year on a specific date I am remembered for my service and the life I gave to this country and that everyone is dressed to please all judgmental people there and not there.
or
I hope my Mom misses me as I will miss her.
Cynthia Moore
South Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/29/2024 - 10:40:34

I just watched the Select Board Meeting. Somehow they were able to locate blazers and dress shirts in their closets and ditched the baseball caps for TV. So it was a conscious choice not to do the same during the Memorial Day Service.
Elaine B Gibbs
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/28/2024 - 18:48:44

Thanks Melissa. No excuse whatsoever. NONE.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/28/2024 - 17:21:57

I have since seen another photo of our selectwoman. Honestly, dungarees? Both of you? Stop dressing like hicks at a somber Memorial Day service! It is disrespectful to the families who have lost loved ones in service at the very least. You both represent our town! What the heck, just too hard to find a decent appropriate outfit for the day? Good grief.
Melissa
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/28/2024 - 14:36:26

Just saw a photo of Selectman Schell at the Memorial Day ceremonies today. Couldn't be bothered with dressing respectfully, apparently. Just too much of an effort was it? Compare his lack of effort with the effort given by those who gave up their lives so he could be a slob at a public ceremony. Chatham, you deserve so much better, so vote in better!
Melissa
Chatham , MA USA - Mon 05/27/2024 - 20:32:59

Just checked out Peoples Cemetery where my brother Arthur Allison is buried, and they did put a flag up there!!!
Sylvia Fulcher <barsyl4041@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 05/27/2024 - 14:40:17

Returned to Union Cemetery this morning and Mike thank you again the flags look great.
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 05/27/2024 - 12:34:08

I applaud the Coast Guard active duty guys, vets and others for trying. It's got to be a daunting task. Sad our Town Manager lacks the basic skills to put a team together that would ensure the landscaping would be done on a timely basis.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 05/26/2024 - 19:40:41

This afternoon I went down to Oyster Pond to check on my brothers memorial (Arthur Allison) and there was NO flag, so I stopped at the VFW on my way back home, and they gave me one to put on, which I did tonight. They said I was the 5th one with that problem.
Sylvia Fulcher <barsyl4041@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 05/26/2024 - 18:22:13

I did not mention Army COL Richard Ellison, Province Senior Advisor under who I served as a LTJG, Navy Medical Service Corps, in Kien Giang province, South Vietnam.
COL Ellison was ambushed and killed while on a Boston Whaler transiting a canal that I and Navy Doctor Hugh Glenn Barnett had used ourselves to visit outlying Medical Clinics. The VC must have known of his planned travels.
To my last day, I will never forget HM3 Richard Gauthier and COL Richard Ellison, AUS, on any day, but especially Memorial Day.
These guys never had a chance.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 05/26/2024 - 17:39:14

Thank you so much Mike!! We appreciate it!
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 05/26/2024 - 16:17:52

THANK YOU MIKE
Didn't read this post till after 11:00 but I will be up there tomorrow if not before then.
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 05/26/2024 - 12:52:04

My sincerest apologies to any of the families whose Veteran's graves did not receive a flag for Memorial Day. All the flags were placed by a small group of Veteran and active duty U.S. Coast Guard volunteers, and obviously some were missed. Thanks for pointing this out, and I will correct it. Unfortunately, a number of the grave stones are unreadable or do not designate a Veteran, so volunteers have no way to identify them. For this reason, we can only place flags on those graves which have the identifying Veteran grave marker. If your family members grave is missing this marker, please contact the Cemetery Division of the DPW to get a new one. There is no cost to the family.

I will visit the cemeteries this AM, to ensure all Veteran graves have a flag.
Josie, I will plan to be in Union Cemetery around 11 if you would like to meet me there.
Mike Ryder
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 05/26/2024 - 08:38:02

I had the pleasure of knowing Roy, he was an Army Master Sergeant (SrMS is an Air Force rank). He was a chase medic who jumped on the extraction birds when a recon team was being overrun. He wasn't scheduled to be on that lift but heard they were in trouble so grabbed his kit and went. Upon arrival at the pick-up zone (PZ), the entire team was wounded and needed assistance in getting on the choppers. He jumped off to drag them aboard when the PZ was assaulted and in the melee he was shot, stabbed, and bayoneted. He killed all the enemy around him ending in a hand to hand battle.

He came out and worked with my Team in western Mass one weekend when we were working with severely disabled kids and scouting. He was a true, soft-spoken gentleman and just an amazing individual, always giving of himself.

Memorial Day is more than a beach day. Take a moment to thank those who never made it back, or those that came back but end up taking their own life, the war having killed them.....they just not knowing it.
JimP
USA - Sun 05/26/2024 - 06:15:18

I was up at our family plot in Union Cemetery yesterday. I was very disappointed that there were no flags placed on our family Veterans stones.
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 05/26/2024 - 05:44:43

As we move into the Memorial Day weekend, some of my thoughts center around the posts Judy, Elaine (including her LTE) and others have made about the ugly functioning of the Chatham Gov't officials. And then I compare and contrast Medal of Honor Sr. Master Sargent Roy P. Benavidez, a Special Forces Soldier who distinguished himself on May 2, 1968 Loc Ninh, Vietnam. His tenacious personal and fearless leadership and valorous action saved the lives of the 8 remaining solders of a reconnaissance team that was exposed to devastating enemy fire. Three extraction helicopter crews were unable to make it into the LZ. SrMS Benavides suffered severe crippling wounds including being shot twice in legs, face, hand and endured hand to hand combat where he was stabbed in the abdomen to name a few, but not before he killed his adversaries. Upon being extracted himself, the pilot was shot and the craft crashed seconds after he was being picked up. Had he not been able to call in tactical air strikes, he would have died there. This year he is nationally being recognized and celebrate this vet. His extraordinary gallantry represents the finest tradition of the US Military. Sr. MSgt. Merely calls out what all veterans do for the USA. Make no mistake vets know when the see truth and freedom and one can only wonder if it is happening in Chatham Ma.

Perhaps when some of the Chatham BOS are engaged in there known and intentionally ugly ways of non transparency or as some have mentioned "String Pulling" with their phony words for America's fining men at a Memorial Day Service, they might get the final Wakeup call, a vote out of office. Or they might consider doing what the former Continental Airlines CEO Gorden Bethune focused on "Work Hard Fly Right" and create a positive working program for all, we'll see!
Alan
USA - Sat 05/25/2024 - 20:07:30

So to bring this back to CHATHAM - I wanted to let everyone know the grass was finally mowed by the contractor at Union Cemetery today. I was told by several folks the contact was not signed til this past Monday. I was also informed it should have been done weeks ago so the contractor could have started before Mother's Day. I am still disgusted with the disregard the Cemetery Commission and Mr Dykens have towards their responsibility in this regard. I hope folks agree and you will join us at the next meeting in July to demand their resignations and request another Select Board member replace Mr Dykens. Enough is enough.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 05/25/2024 - 19:33:06

So to bring this back to CHATHAM - I wanted to let everyone know the grass was finally mowed by the contractor at Union Cemetery today.,,I was told by several folks the contact was not signed til this past Monday. I was told it should have been done weeks ago so the contractor could have started before Mother's Day. I am still disgusted with the disregard the Cemetery Commission and Mr Dykens have towards their responsibility in this regard. I hope folks agree and you will join us at the next meeting in July to demand their resignations and request another Select Board member replace Mr Dykens. Enough is enough.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 05/25/2024 - 19:30:53

Alan:
If you have the power to have them fly over Eastham, I can provide coordinates. Bring them on!
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 05/25/2024 - 17:05:17

I have seen the Blue ANGELS operating over San Francisco Bay. And have witnessed carrier flight operations while aboard the USS Intrepid for two years. I would be thrilled if the ANGELS were to fly over Eastham! Those pilots are the best.
By the way, one of my Corpsman shipmates , a close friend, died on that ship while we were on our way to waters off Vietnam. He was trying to save the lives of his fellow crewmen who were overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas. .
This weekend may be fun and games for most, but not for me.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 05/25/2024 - 17:01:18

Folks
For all those "airport haters" out there, you should be careful about what you wish for. Yes, you might get something far worse. And speaking of air shows, there is the outside chance, if you look up tomorrow afternoon, you might catch a BLUE ANGLE out there, setting up for one of their maneuvers for the Long Island Air show. Since Richard is so military and sea focused, I proposed a low level fly by over Eastham
Alan
USA - Fri 05/24/2024 - 23:21:19

After multiple calls to the town starting Wednesday, Union Cemetery never was totally mowed for this holiday weekend. . Only the part facing Route 28 and the newer part where there are just a few graves was mowed. I made two calls yesterday and today and nothing was done. Nothing but lip service as to how a contract was just signed Monday with a contractor. Mr. Metters did his best but our Town Manager is on vacation and her designated person in charge was no help. .College aged kids and high school kids could cut the grass. This is horrible town management and a slap in the face to those of us that have family buried there. Every year this happens. The Coast Guard placed flags on graves in every cemetery but Town couldn't ensure the lawn was mowed. Do folks realize our taxes pay for this? Do you know that Select Board member Dykens is the liaison to the Cemetery Committee and these folks collect a stipend from us- yet no one can be bothered to check on this. This has happened for several years and no one does anything. I can't stress enough how angry I am along with several of my friends who have relatives buried there. The grass was knee high and full of ticks when I went to plant today on my family plot. I am so disgusted with the fees we pay to have this done and it isn't. The Cemetery Commission should resign and Dykens needs to be removed from this committee as the liaison.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Fri 05/24/2024 - 18:21:16

Nice to hear from Barry and Jared.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 05/24/2024 - 16:31:57

Richard: If you would like to see some air planes ,show up June 8Th.at the open house. I would give you a tour of some of the hangers so you can see the number of planes that are stored there. While I am in here, I would like to see the whole west coast of the National Seashore turned into a solar panel and windfarm, so that Cape Cod could have some cheaper or free electricity instead of sending most of it to the grid and Canada to melt aluminum which we pay for!! How about them apples Dick?
Barry Fulcher <barsyl4041@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 05/24/2024 - 09:22:13

Richard - this is an issue for the residents. As I've said before - we love the airport - just not what's going on there there. Leave this to the residents to figure out. We do not want to see the airport closed in favor of affordable housing.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 05/23/2024 - 19:22:41

Boston Medflight will not land on a soft surface if it doesn't have to. When I was serving on a neighboring fire department, one of our pre-determined BMF landing zones was a gravel parking lot behind a church. With a town as small as Chatham, there's no need for multiple landing zones if a secure airport exists. In some instances, many lower Cape departments will meet BMF at Barnstable Municipal Airport, so that if the weather changes, they are that much closer to CCH.

With five double sided T hangars at CQX, airplane owners can rent the space and keep their planes out of inclement weather.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 05/23/2024 - 19:04:08

Went by Chatham Airport this afternoon. Oh, wait! There are now TWO planes tied down, vs one at my last trip.
I wonder what are the number of Coast Guard helo landings there that have been recorded in the last 5 years.
How many medevacs have taken off with a patient in the last 5 years from this taxpayer funded facility? Medevacs can land at Veterans Field, which is much closer to the Chatham FD.
And what is the revenue gained by the Town of Chatham , net, after the skim by the manager?
Is there no one else asking these questions?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 05/23/2024 - 17:34:30

Richard - all the Chatham cemeteries are. You may want to check them out and see if it's been mowed.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/22/2024 - 20:53:22

I believe that the lot for Richard E. Ryder and Rebecca D.S Ryder are under a perpetual care agreement, which I think includes mowing.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 05/22/2024 - 19:08:01

I've noticed town trucks around mowing cemeteries this week. I was so pleased to see this. I just read a post from one of my friends who has relatives buried in Union Cemetery. They have only mowed what's visible from the road. Our taxes pay for this and she only received lip service from a town employee about how they have no help. They have enough help to cut the grass on the side of the road but not the cemeteries? . What do we have a Cemetery Commission for if they can't even make sure the cemeteries are taken care of? Our taxes pay for this and this is disgraceful.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/22/2024 - 16:43:44

Anyone watching this BOS meeting? They are recapping the results of Town Meeting. Dykens is furious at the way the airport vote went. He's filled with hate towards those that voted against. Shareen agrees with him. They still don't get it. They are having "technical issues" - how convenient. Well worth watching them make excuses for their behavior and no one wants to admit they lack transparency.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/21/2024 - 18:46:19

The move of the DALI today and the efforts of the Unified Command do show the capabilities of this country when things need to get done.
The bridge was part of the Interstate Highway System. It remains to be seen if the DALI owners will ever be held responsible for the damages done.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 05/20/2024 - 17:45:39

The proposed upweller is the same use of a former Coast Guard Boathouse as what is being used at Nantucket.
I provided plans for the ca 1936 building to those in charge of the project some years ago. The CG36500 was never stored in the building, only hauled out for routine maintenance like bottom painting, etc. The railway split in two as it approached the building, allowing two vessels to be in the building at the same time. Not likely that ever happened .
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 05/18/2024 - 19:22:45

Richard and Wayne, Thanks for the birthday wishes. It was a great day!
Nancy Ryder Petrus
Change ham, USA - Sat 05/18/2024 - 13:00:28

Dave C, you are right memories are short. The concept of moving the upweller to Mitchell River was discussed at the time that Bridge St. parcel was purchased. At least 5 years ago the concept of a pier there was being discussed in several open to the public meetings between the South Coastal Harbor Plan Committee and the Waterways Committee.
Moving the Upwelling system away from all the Commercial Fishing activity where it is currently located can help to improve the water quality circulating through the system
CAM
West Chatham , MA USA - Sat 05/18/2024 - 09:53:06

This is truly disturbing. Taxpayers deserve better. The three amigos are NOT to be trusted. Mr Schell is by far the worst Select Board member to date. For him to Chair both committees is wrong. I hope others agree. Our town is going downhill fast and if these folks continue to have their way no telling what's next on their hidden agenda.
JudyP <Judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 05/18/2024 - 07:56:28

So to be clear, despite the fact Dean Nicastro should have been elected Chair based on the traditional rotation alone, as of this morning Mike Schell is now Chair of BOTH the Select Board AND the Affordable Housing Trust. If that isn't a conflict I don't know what is. Who actually represents the residents and taxpayers? Forget priorities of drinking water, sewer, school repairs, traffic, with more pavement-less trees, impact on infrastructure, increased assessments resulting in huge tax increases, quality of life? Get in line behind high density workforce housing where we suddenly have NO say in the design chosen. The future of Chatham is now firmly in the hands of 7 APPOINTED- not elected- people who have shown contempt for anyone who questions their decisions. AND what's curiously not mentioned is that the Town Manager told the Chronicle-not us- that if the ballot questions for the Transfer station and Waterfront Bond passed (which they did), "the Select Board could call a Special Town Meeting 'within a reasonable amount of time' to bring the SAME articles back before voters". If that threat occurs, it's a brazen attempt to circumvent the will of the people, showing an utter disregard for voters and lack of respect for Town Meeting that soundly rejected them. The lack of transparency continues unabated.Actually it's getting worse.
Elaine B Gibbs <ebgodard@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 05/17/2024 - 20:26:00

Richard, Yes, I also say Happy Birthday to Nancy!
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Fri 05/17/2024 - 19:44:14

Happy Birthday to Nancy Ryder Petrus !
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 05/17/2024 - 17:56:49

John -there is NO need to spend 11.4 million dollars . The town should have asked for a more reasonable amount. This is just another example of not being fiscally responsible. Years ago the town bought seed from Aquacultural Research in Dennis. I think it's time for taxpayers to demand more from this Board of Selectnen and they in turn need to reign in the spending.
JudyP
WXharham, USA - Fri 05/17/2024 - 14:05:38

I'm somewhat in the dark about the upweller. Is the present upweller at the Old
Mill Boatyard building on its last legs or could we get along with it with
inexpensive repairs? My impression is that the many shell fisherman rely on the
upweller for seed and shell fish. The shell fish industry is really important in
Chatham. Is it possible that the vote against the upweller will hurt the
shell fishermen? I believe they deserve our support.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 05/17/2024 - 12:49:34

Oh boy! Now that the debt exclusions are passed, we get to have another shame special meeting. The wonders never cease. Memories are short. Never did anyone ever imagine that by buying the little parcel of land on Bridge St., would we have a major upweller operation with a pier out into Stage Harbor. I guess Shareen can sell her day boat catch off it. Sheesh. No wonder Dr. Bob retired.
Dave Corcaic <DCorcaic@comcast.net>
Chatham , MA USA - Fri 05/17/2024 - 09:48:15

Bruce, it's likely indicative of Chatham becoming an investment by outsiders rather that a community. Owners are maxing out the footprint of their property.
DJ Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 05/17/2024 - 09:38:39

Over the past few months I have noticed about 10 houses around Chatham that have been raised off their foundations, presumably to get new foundations, or new basements, or repairs to old foundations. Is it purely coincidental that so many houses are being raised all over town at the same time? Can anyone enlighten me about what is going on?
Bruce
USA - Fri 05/17/2024 - 07:57:50

The two ballot questions we voted no on at Town Meeting passed today at the polls. They will be brought back to Special Town Meeting. Chatham - where "NO never means NO" and the majority of the Select Board have zero respect for their constituents
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 05/16/2024 - 21:04:42

Nice to hear new voices on the Room about the airport. And to read of an 90 yo plus man who spoke and questioned the need for an airport in the first place. Yes, it was a source of pride for the Chatham people initially.
Yes, my friends like Barry Fulcher and Ross Gould had their planes there, and flew from that site.

I actually did take a flight with one of my granddaughters from there, and it was magical to see the sands of Chatham and Monomoy from above.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 05/16/2024 - 17:55:43

The select board and town manager should answer to the stinging rebuke that they received at TM. Shareen and her tired saw about sustainability and oh poor us isn't resonating nor Schell and his supercilious attitude about everything. Vote these people out. Ditch Huntley. And yes, repurpose the airport.
Dave Corcaic <DCorcaic@comcast.net>
Chatham , MA USA - Thu 05/16/2024 - 09:46:23

As for the airport, we all need to look into the not so distant future with the advent of air taxis and flying cars. The skies above Chatham will be filled with these vehicles soon enough along with all their noise (and we think drones are annoying) in a few short years. Is that what the town wants? Now is the time to keep an eye on changes that are really meant to accommodate a LOT more activity there.
M. Reed
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 05/16/2024 - 08:11:21

Schell needs to go. His obnoxious, condescending attitude is sickening. I wish more people would speak up. Nothing like a good recall vote to teach them a lesson. For them to give the Town Manager a glowing report speaks volumes when we have the mess we have in this town.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 05/16/2024 - 07:17:04

There is a real disconnect between those few who use the airport for their own personal pleasure and the taxpayer. That point was crystal clear when one speaker said he owned a new plane and has spent thousands and thousands of dollars on it. Really? And I'm wondering if I should spend $40 on a hanging basket at Agway.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Wed 05/15/2024 - 14:55:06

I hope folks realize that the big ticket items-the Transfer Station and the Waterfront Bond- were both voted down Monday at Town Meeting for good reason. These two articles are also going to appear as Ballot questions tomorrow when we go to the polls. If they pass, the Select Board can bring them back in the fall at a Special Town Meeting when many people are gone-ignoring our vote to reject them. Remember what happened last year when they pulled this stunt? Please vote "NO" on the two Ballot questions.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/15/2024 - 13:54:52

Let the free market handle the charging stations. If someone wants to pay all installation costs and pay monthly fees for installing on public property we can debate that. But no way should the town be paying for charging stations. Why not pay for gas stations, a town restaurant, grocery store, etc.

As to the airport plan it's obvious it was step one of some hidden agenda.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/15/2024 - 13:33:14

John - Maybe, just maybe, if the Airport folks had been more transparent from the get go they wouldn't have had this issue. They are taking a page out of the book of the Select Board. No transparency whatsoever. Those of us that have lived here for decades and watched this deterioration of our wonderful little airport have no use for the shenanigans that are going on there now. No use whatsoever.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/15/2024 - 12:34:41

DJ Mott: Note that the lot behind CFD is part of the school and thus might involve the MRSD.
As to airport, I was also irritated by the numerous obvious falsehoods presented by the opposition.
For example, they appear to claim that EVERY single tree in the approach zone would need to be removed.
Which ignores the fact that the zone rises as it gets further away from runway.
J Hallgren (as user)
S. Chatham , MA USA - Wed 05/15/2024 - 11:53:42

I suspect that one big reason the EV Station Article failed was because the income would never leave the airport. Now that proposal failed, let's consider installing charging station at the community center and the public lot behind the Fire & Rescue Station. Both of those lots are underutilized and convenient to both residents and visitors. It might also be appropriate to but a few stations at the CPD. The income from these station would go to town and hopefully be more transparently reported to the taxpayers of Chatham.
DJ Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/15/2024 - 10:18:31

Judy, I'm in full agreement with you on Mr. Howard's contract and Chatham residents should be outraged. Not enough is known by the general public in this regard.
DJ Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/15/2024 - 10:09:31

Richard - many of us love the small airport. I'm certainly glad you live in Eastham and have no say in this fight. We don't appreciate the never ending arguments . There's no need for what is going on there. We don't need ten passenger planes flying in there along with bigger planes. Two years ago jet fuel fumes were so awful vegetation was killed around one of the houses there and house had to be closed up for the day the stench was so bad - in the middle of the summer. If half of the people reading this post had a clue about the contract Mr Howard has they'd be furious. He gets a cut of EVERYTHING that happens there. EVERYTHING. A ten year contract. Go figure. Ask Ms Goldsmith for a copy of it. I don't have a lot of sympathy for people that buy houses near the airport and complain - but they along with many of us were not prepared for the bigger planes that land and take off there and the noise generated. There is no need for that when they can use Hyannis. These people need to be be reigned in and this ridiculous catering to visitors needs to stop. It's time to listen to folks that own property near there and not the small percentage of folks that keep trying to change this. It absolutely sickens me every single time one of our residents gets up at these meetings and proceeds to tell everyone how he's been a pilot for x amount of years. So what!! Stop trying to ruin our small town with your big ideas . We all know where these people came from as well as your background.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/15/2024 - 07:31:23

There were small airfields in Orleans and in Eastham in the early 50's, some touting twin engine flights to Boston. I can provide Cape Codder ads to that effect. Those airfields are no longer.

Why should there be an airfield in Chatham that caters to only 1 Percent of the population? There are better uses for that land.
Went by the airfield last week, and there were NO planes visible. They might have been stored in a plane shed on the premises .
One should read "Mon Reve",( my dream,) by Wilfred Berube, who built the Chatham airfield.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 05/14/2024 - 17:53:54

With all due respect Dave, Article 40 failed I believe 306-161 requiring a 2/3. Most who voted against it were not the traditional vote "no" people. Any vote was premature since Conservation, who has concerns, referred it to the Cape Cod Commission. No vote should be taken until that report is completed. Everyone should be concerned that the Airport is in our Water Resource Protection Area which has most of our drinking wells. It's full of wildlife, wetlands and vegetation that protect our aquifer and drinking water. I can hear the charters ready for takeoff 2 miles away.They carry 2700 lbs of fuel on take off. You can smell the fuel near the airport.The Airport manager has signed contracts with 10 seat charter plane companies and car rental agencies, receiving the revenue- not Chatham. They land in Chatham instead of Hyannis because landing fees are cheaper when Chatham isn't even their destination. Most love the airport, but it's becoming a regional airport with larger, heavier aircraft needing less runway. Not ok in a densely populated area with our major drinking water resource. It's easy for those who don't live in the area to be unbiased. I don't live there, but I get it.Not sure how people directly impacted debating an issue at Town Meeting, would be personally insulting. 3 hours is nothing when so much is at stake.
Elaine B Gibbs <ebgodard@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/14/2024 - 17:27:17

After last night's rejection of the airport map article, it's more clear to me than ever that opponents only strategy is to scare voters into submission. The unabashed misinformation, exaggeration and conspiracy accusations are insulting to those of us who try to make decisions with an unbiased conscience. The level of vitriol was palpable and unpleasant to sit through and leads me to believe that the only thing that will make the opposition happy will be the closure of CQX. Many of the letters read last evening were already read during the earlier SB meeting and we were forced to endure them a second time which should not have been allowed - the meeting had already run 3 hours - it's no wonder more people don't attend.
DJ Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/14/2024 - 11:58:53

Back in the early 70's when I was a Chatham cop on the midnight shift, there were rabbits absolutely everywhere. It was just a matter of time before predation would ensue. I recall someone took a photo of a coyote meandering across the the sagamore. The same thing is happening with the seals and sharks. Nature is happening!
Bruce Reddish <Podsqd@mtaonline.net>
Eagle River, AK USA - Tue 05/14/2024 - 11:29:05

I have seen 3 coyotes in the past 2 days. Yesterday 2 coyotes ran directly
behind our house and tonight returning from Town Meeting I saw a large coyote
on the pathway leading into St. Christopher's. It feels like they are
getting very close to us now.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 05/13/2024 - 23:44:03

Thank you for the kind words.

Bruce, I'm glad to see you're still here. You're among the earlier people I remember when I first started reading this chat room over 20 years ago.

I was always glad of every second I could spend with the older Chathamites. Reggie Nick, Charlotte Forgeron, Tim Pennypacker, Carl Olson etc. I knew someday these folks would be gone and with them, a certain way of life. Call it ancestral pull or whatever, but it's hard not to be passionate about what occurs here good or bad. Last year I purchased a book on Amazon that shipped from Texas. Imagine my surprise when I read the inside cover; that it had belonged to Joe Nickerson! I felt it was a message saying I was just where I was supposed to be. To people like us, this isn't a vacation home where we can abandon responsibility at will. This is where I was born and where my people come from. It's more to us than a cheap Airbnb thrill.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 05/12/2024 - 19:15:29

I took an interested Jared Fulcher under my wing and taught him the ins and outs of maintaining the Nauset Light beacon, which did come from Chatham .
I was underway with him on the CG36500 - one of the most able boat steerers I ever had on the boat . He would be a good man as a Selectman as well. Chatham could use his steering ability.
Not much that goes on in Chatham he is not aware of.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 05/10/2024 - 17:31:58

Best idea yet, Jared and Dave running for Select board. I clearly recall about 20 years ago when people used to refer to Jared as the "mayor of Chatham" as he was so steeped in its history and always had the best long-term interests of the town in mind. There is a lot of valid griping on this site about the mismanagement of town resources, imho, but griping on this site won't get it done and the incumbents know that. Until people like Jared and Dave and others with similar moral compasses take real action, nothing will change.
Bruce
USA - Fri 05/10/2024 - 17:03:00

Thank you all for your informative feedback on Commerce Park .
Reading the town warrant I noticed the Pleasant St property
acquisition #29. I do hope someone from that neighborhood speaks to this
at town meeting Monday.
And Jared, I hope you and Mr Mott please consider running for Selectman.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Thu 05/09/2024 - 14:13:36

Just to be clear - I understand the onus is on the property owners to get this fixed. What I don't understand is why the town hasn't gone after them to fix this health hazard.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 05/09/2024 - 06:38:51

When Commerce Park was the hot topic, Bob Dubis spoke at the Selectmen's meeting stating that the weight of repeated heavy truck traffic over time, lack of maintenance or replacement and silt build up in the catch basins has contributed to the flooding in the Park.

Commerce Park is privately owned. Town counsel advised then Chairman Jeff Dykens against the Town pumping out the pond, as it set a bad precedent. Bob Dubis advised that pumping it out would do nothing to solve the underlying problem. They were both correct. Dykens ignored both men.

Commerce Pond should be dealt with by the owners there working together or through the courts. The Town should not be interfering. The town already has a desire to interfere with private property and they should not be encouraged. If you do business with someone in the Park and you are inconvenienced by the pond, vote with your wallet and take your business elsewhere until they initiate their own repairs.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 19:34:17

Ultimately EVs will benefit the environment. Charging stations are essential, and I have no problem with the town facilitating their installation. Other communities believe income will eventually defray the initial cost, depending on the contracts negotiated with developers and potential grants, as noted by Alan.

I'm skeptical, however, that "tourists who bring their EV's will help Chatham pay taxes." Who are the tourists? Day trippers, short term renters? How does that work? Is that true of tourists who drive gas powered cars as well?
Dick Lacatell <dick.lacatell@twc.com>
Dalton, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 18:52:13

Peter - What happened? No one seems to know. When did catch basins stop working? I was never impressed with Duncanson nor his ability to do nothing about this issue.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 17:44:55

As the first one to buy in COMMERCE PARK I spent a lot of money changing the grade so the water would not run down the road.I believe each plot plan has provision for ground water(catch basin) so the water stays on private property.
Or at least it should. Never had this problem before the buildup without catch basins
Pete Skipper <peterskipper@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 15:55:52

AK- When you have weak town management that won't deal with it - don't hold your breath. The owners of the properties in the park should be made to pay to fix it. . The town refuses to address this. It's been years and it's maybe been pumped out a few times. It's beyond nasty and unhealthy and there's a fish processing plant right in front of it. Totally disgusting.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 15:30:58

I'd rather have my taxes pay to clear up the bacteria pond in Commerce Park than provide EV stations for a few tourists. Commerce Park pond should be more of an issue to the town and environmentalists at this moment.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 12:19:22

Why was my reference to a legal issue confronting Nantucket with a court ruling made in April of this year about rentals in residential zones being ruled unlawful if they are the primary use of the property and how that relates to and needs to be addressed in Chatham removed from the rest of my comment? Please explain. It is highly relevant, regardless of one's personal position here.
M. Reed <ccblues@comcast.net>
Chatham , MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 12:00:23

Time for Chatham to deal with this issue before we lose families, schools, everything that makes us a community to investment groups buying up all they can. If a Chatham family wants to rent out their home for income in the summer, that's one thing, but losing the town to businesses buying up all they can to rent out is stripping this town blind of any community and pushing affordable housing costs on taxpayers that will only serve as barracks for the working poor someday. We must start to recognize what continuing to allow this is doing to Chatham now and long term. Protect residential zones from primary business ownership.
M. Reed <ccblues@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 11:19:35

By the way, short term rentals has taken away housing from workers who need to rent such as police, firefighters, etc. STR would be under 31 days.

A recent land court handed down in March, said that "short-term renting is not legal as the primary use of a home."
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 11:00:18

Nantucket. Voters soundly rejected codifying all short-term rentals as a legal primary use island wide when they voted down Article 59 at Town Meeting tonight.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 10:49:00

Have been following Nantucket's town meeting and their STR articles and votes and feel Chatham should be looking to introduce the same with similar articles at next year's town meeting.
M. Reed <ccblues@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 08:44:04

Alan - I am not "dictating" what you write. I am asking simply since you are NOT a resident of Chatham and don't pay taxes here to please RESPECT what others say who are against this farce.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 05/08/2024 - 06:45:36

Judy
I travel in and out of Chatham all the time. Chatham and Harwich have a school system that are connected. EV school buses are something to be considered, so yea Ib have a stake in the game to some degree and just who are you to dictate whatwhst I write. Most of the time I agree with what you say, but EV are evolving and you wish to stay in the stagecoach era, so be it.
Alan
USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 22:07:57

Alan - you are not a resident of Chatham. Please respect those of us that live here and want no part of this farce.

On another note - the COA did receive the grant money they applied for. I hope voters understand how ridiculous this expenditure is. We would have to hire additional staff, pay benefits etc for staff for a minimal amount of folks that are safely ensconced in the Orleans Day Care program. Will these folks be uprooted from the only program they know to be moved to an unknown Chatham facility? What an awful waste of taxpayer money- considering Criminal there is no updated building to move them to. The way this town spends taxpayer money really is outrageous . Another NO VOTE on Monday!
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 21:13:22

EV's
Fed Gov't was providing grant money for chargers, however the train could have pulled away from the station. Volkswagen had a huge fine placed on them for over estimating their mpg numbers and these funds are/were being shared to the states to build charging stations.

And non Tesla owners do not have to fend for themselves, they need only purchase an low cost adapter and can use any super charger

You wish to experience the future, you need to invest and discover the innovative products, not stand by and watch. Not sure why everyone so eager to crush charging stations There was no mention about air quality. The electromagnetic properties of the batteries could be an other story. However the tourists who bring their EV' s will help Chatham pay taxes. A Tesla super chargers are quick and efficient and could enhance the downtown, nothing like doing some shopping while you car is charging. And the Tesla on board computers provide you with all the information you need when it comes to knowing how much charge you took and the cost immediately following the service
Alan
USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 20:50:38

What station was that? I will be sure to not listen to that one.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 19:05:37

I heard it on the radio news.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 17:44:41

Bill P:
Who said the Eastham Town Meeting was "So crowded"? Were you there? They had a problem attaining a quorum.
Maybe you are confused with the Truro Town Meeting.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 17:09:55

Bill P:
Only registered voters were issued electronic "clickers", so there may have been non-residents in attendance, as there always has been, but they would have had no vote.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 16:10:50

The EV policy gives the Town Manager authority to develop plans to use ALL town properties to install charging stations- not just the airport but 3 downtown lots, the Community Center, Town Hall, Annex, Fire Station, pickleball courts, elementary school, all town beach lots, all town parks,the COA. Add to that spaces dedicated to food trucks all over town-4 per truck.This isn't about revenue. There are a finite number of spaces for full time residents to find parking to do basic business. If they have an EV they have charging stations at home. This is again about putting tourists,non-residents and day trippers once again ahead of full time residents.
Elaine B Gibbs <ebgodard@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 10:31:16

"However, all taxpayers would benefit from the income generated by the charging stations."

If this was true all gas stations would have them.

Vote no.

Richard we now know why your town meeting was so crowded. It seems not eligible voters were sneaking in to vote.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 09:38:30

Taxpayers would garner far more benefit from paid parking on Main Street, the Fish Piet and our public lots like so many other towns in the Northeast but we would rather build EV stations for the privileged minority that can afford EV's.
DJ Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 08:43:55

Barbara, I am sorry to hear of your loss. Take good care.
Jen
USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 07:38:45

You are right, Judy, that the average taxpayer doesn't have a plug-in vehicle. The Massachusetts Vehicle Census shows that only 1.6% of vehicle registrations in Chatham are plug-in vehicles.

However, all taxpayers would benefit from the income generated by the charging stations.

Vehicle census: https://geodot-homepage-massdot.hub.arcgis.com/pages/massvehiclecensus
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Tue 05/07/2024 - 06:58:05

Richard - it provides no benefit to the average taxpayer. We should not be funding this and hopefully others will agree.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Mon 05/06/2024 - 19:52:50

Tesla cars already have a set of high power charging stations throughout the country. The rest of the EV cars, then they have to find a way. The proposed charging stations at the airport COULD generate some income, but the payback might be way down the road.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 05/06/2024 - 18:53:33

I hope it is okay to post this on the ChatRoom. For the very few native Chathamites that are still around and knew my oldest brother Bruce, I am sorry to report he passed away on May 3 at the age of 89.
Barbara <Bejsteve@gmaio.com>
San Diego, CA USA - Mon 05/06/2024 - 13:43:52

Richard -too many folks don't pay any attention to these issues. It's sad. One warrant article is asking for 447K to fund electric charging stations at the airport. How does that benefit the average taxpayer? That's nuts. That's just the tip of the iceberg as far as frivolous expenses - and then they'll have another special town meeting in the fall to ask for more money - since the budget we are voting on is ten million less than last year. That's because (thankfully) we aren't voting on a new COA building. But to already plan for another meeting in the fall just reeks of a hidden agenda.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sun 05/05/2024 - 18:51:48

Drove by the Truro Town Meeting ($5500.00 Heated tent) this afternoon on our way to CCNS Visitor Center. Parked cars everywhere along Route 6, an example of the overflow parking and the interest in dealing with their issues.
Sad to say that in Eastham , Town Meeting registered voters had to sit outside unprotected from NE winds coming off the ocean, for well over three hours. Some folks even brought their own blankets.
We are over Covid, but not over the rebuilding of Nauset Regional High School, the only High School on National Seashore property.
I hope the Annual Town Meeting for Chatham goes well. And that it is indoors. And well attended.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 05/05/2024 - 17:35:32

Has anyone heard whether the COA received the grant for adult daycare? Decision was supposed to be at end of April. I've emailed twice and asked and was told no one has heard. I still think Orleans is a much better deal - especially considering the cost difference as well as how the COA Director was less than forthcoming about actual numbers of folks needing services. Town management is not transparent as Ms Gibbs says. . Nothing like putting the cart before the horse and not having a completed building to host this. Why the rush on this outrageous expense? Vote NO at Town Meeting ! They are setting the stage for yet ANOTHER costly special Town Meeting in the fall. Time to wake up folks and smell the coffee!!
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sat 05/04/2024 - 08:20:04

Not to negate Ms. Gibbs well written piece, but also, the ospreys arrive just in time to be able to feast on herring.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 05/03/2024 - 20:14:22

With an unexpected last minute Town Counsel (TC) AH legal opinion,two questions need to be answered as to why the public will NEVER see any proposals for the Buckley Property and Meetinghouse until AFTER the developer is chosen.(1)April 23 Dean Nicastro asked why RFP review has to occur behind closed doors since "all the time Orleans, Harwich and Brewster are discussing their proposals for AH all over the papers". TC didn't address address the inconsistency, only saying "by inference" in the law it was his "view".(2)The SB voted April 23 NOT to give sole authority to the AH Trust since Costello(TC) acknowledged it was for "practical- not legal" reasons. He didn't address why it was therefore appropriate and legal for appointed (not elected) AH Trustees to meet in ES alone-without the Select Board present.The "very last to know" public only learned Tuesday that TC Costello is retiring on June 30. We're following advice on the most impactful issue facing Chatham when, having been involved in the long AH history, he won't be around to negotiate terms of a Purchase and Sale-including the Deed Transfer Conditions of the land and writing a substantial check. Nothing about this process is transparent. On April 29 AH Trustee Chair Schell-with no explanation-passed over both Agenda I:"Public Announcements/Agenda Item Requests" and II."Comments from the Chair" before going into ES. Pretty bold. Allowing public requests and a public statement addressing public exclusion moving forward would have been in order.Chatham residents will have to live with the consequences "in perpetuity" of decisions made, at the mercy of seven appointed trustees whose sole priority is maximum density- and fast. We're being treated differently than other towns and we should know why.
Elaine B Gibbs <ebgodard@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 05/03/2024 - 09:01:04

Has anyone noticed the blooming of the Shad Bush and the coincidental arrival of the fish at the herring runs? Herring are not as low life as some might think. They get imprinted on the fresh water they are spawned in, and somehow know to return some years later. Mini brains but super capable navigators.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 05/02/2024 - 17:42:18

We elected these people. Mr Schell and Ms Davis have an obvious conflict of interest in pushing this - along with strings being pulled by Mr Oppenheim. Two members of the Select Board should NOT be calling the shots of the AHT. It's time for residents to smarten up and see the damage these people are doing to our town. Please re-elect Mr Metters and Mr Nicastro who genuinely have our best interests at heart and think about replacing Mr Schell and company next year (or before) when their terms are up. They will make Chatham an absolute mess if continue to get their way. This is not a transparent form of government. These are sneaky, dangerous people .
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Fri 04/26/2024 - 09:38:21

For residents, voters and taxpayers who will be directly impacted 'in perpetuity", we only learned Tuesday that review of RFPs received yesterday,the review and final decision of who the developer will be for the Affordable/Attainable housing for the Buckley property and Meetinghouse, will instead be made behind closed doors in Executive Sessions by the AH Trustees an the Select Board alone. The AH Trustees wanted sole authority to make the decision. That should never happen. They are appointed- not elected. Despite assurances otherwise, the public will NOT be permitted to participate in any open public discussion-to see the proposals, ask questions about potential developers credentials, proposed elevation and layout designs, density, water usage, parking, traffic implications, percentage of 1,2 and 3 bedrooms and their AMI unit deed restrictions, local preference for town residents, full time vs workforce housing units, whether there will be market rate for those who don't qualify for AH, costs of each proposal to taxpayers, or apparently the conditions negotiated on the land Deed Transfer to the chosen developer BEFORE a decision is made, It is, in my view, a serious failure of the process, a total lack of transparency, and shows utter disdain for all Chatham residents who will be expected to live with the consequences, the impact on our town forever, and pay the bill.
Elaine
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 04/26/2024 - 07:37:58

I am watching this meeting and I find it interesting Mr Dykens and company seem to forget - THEY WORK FOR US - the taxpayers. Not their own self interests .
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 04/23/2024 - 18:44:41

My parents always called it the "boulevard", although now it is known as Shore Road. Went by there today - the flowers at CBI are spectacular !
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 04/23/2024 - 17:17:11

This was from one of my friends that wants the word to get out:: The debacle with the Affordable Housing Trust and Select Board has reached a new high in "no transparency and unlimited spending" by 7 Board members...Mr Schell is asking for the power of all decisions ( acquisition of property, use of all funds in AffHT Fund ( 670.000.00 of which came from Town Manager's Free Cash ) borrowing more funds, requesting funds annually from CPA, hiring managers, consultants, developers, etc and choosing plans for houses to be built) He just had an "internal meeting "with Chair of SB, Town Staff and Jill and Town lawyer) this should have been a public meeting. On Tuesday Schell will ask SB to give he and his AFHT Board full power, We elected the SB but we sure did not elect the AffHousing Trust Board, The Proposals from developers will not be shared with the public...they are due April 25..All decisions and discussions will be in executive session so the public will not be able to watch or speak. The papers are not available from the developers..I already asked ,,the Town lawyer is using a procurement law to prevent the Town from knowing anything about what is going on. I think we are moving to a new variety of govt...similar to what goes on in third world countries. Please pass this on to others. The Internal meeting that took place did not include the 5 members of the Select Board,,,only the Chair. If you have the time to watch this meeting ,,SB..Tuesday nite at 5:30. It is time to stop this power grab .
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 04/23/2024 - 06:30:53

This was done a few years ago at Chatham Airport. I was there and watched them practice.
Judy P
W. Chatham, MA USA - Mon 04/22/2024 - 17:46:04

M Reed:
Thanks. I have been around a lot of military planes during my 20 years in the US Navy. None were of this concentrated power. IE, loud.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 04/22/2024 - 16:26:53

Richard, going back a week here, the two planes may have been National Guard spring training. About this same time last year I was in a store next the the Hyannis airport and two of them were doing "touch and go" maneuvers at a high speed at building height, 25 - 30', down the runway. It was amazing to watch, even for this private pilot. Then they circled around the area at a very low height for another 10 minutes or so.
M Reed <ccblues@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 04/22/2024 - 12:02:29

Wayne, I was talking about something the other day and said that it happened on
"the boulevard". They didn't know where it was.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 04/21/2024 - 21:17:30

The North Light was made of cast iron plates, bolted together on the inside. When it was moved, I believe it was actually transported to Eastham by a pair of oxen pulling on a "barge".
Back then a barge was a large wheeled vehicle used to carry large loads. Initially, some thought the Light would have been transported by a barge at at sea. Think about that! How would one move the tower pieces from the site, down the bluff, onto a floating barge, then move it up to Eastham and move the pieces up the bluff?
When I asked Dave Ryder about if he remembered the wagon/barge going by his home in Chatham, he said " I don't know - my Dad was Officer in Charge of the Gloucester CG Station, and we were living in Gloucester at the time."
I wonder how long the trip might have taken.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 04/21/2024 - 19:03:27

You are all great! Thank you.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Sun 04/21/2024 - 13:42:50

Go to dvidshub.net to see some remarkable photos taken by USCG and USN photographers of the work being done at the Key bridge. Looks like it won't be too long before the stuck ship is able to be moved.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 04/20/2024 - 18:56:25

I had to explain this to my wife who comes from Eastham, the town who inherited one of "the lights" in 1923. Yes, Dick is correct in his response. With generations of past Chathamites having referred to the twin lights this way, the name was passed down and yes today a few of the locals still use it. Some traditions die hard.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 04/20/2024 - 18:14:50

The "lights" are in front of the Coast Guard Station.
Judy P
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sat 04/20/2024 - 17:02:55

Allow me to answer. The "Lights" refer to the site of the former Twin Lights of Chatham that were there until 1923. The North tower was removed and taken by ox cart to Eastham and reerected. Repainted with a red top in 1940 I believe.
Yes , those of us who have been around Chatham a while still call it the Lights.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 04/20/2024 - 16:49:02

I guess AK is new around here. Tell him Jared.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sat 04/20/2024 - 16:31:44

Jared, I have a question. When you wrote you could see Nantucket "from the lights"- where are "the lights" you speak of. Thank you.
AK
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Sat 04/20/2024 - 14:49:07

Ok, I'll take the bait: so why didn't the police know about the the drug dealing in West Chatham? Or did they?
Dave Mullingar <DMullingar@comcast.net>
West Chatham , MA USA - Sat 04/20/2024 - 10:17:42

When I see Stan I'll tell him John. I run into him at the Post Office off and on. Thanks for bringing the room back to Chatham topics.
Judy P
W. Chatham, MA USA - Fri 04/19/2024 - 17:31:57

I miss the mail box on the tall pole on Barn Hill Road that said "air mail".
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 04/19/2024 - 16:26:59

Elaine
I posted here because on the chance that there are Chatham boat owners have their boats moored in Harwich waters they wish to know about this.
Alan
USA - Fri 04/19/2024 - 08:34:44

Alan,that Chronicle article you refer to was about Harwich - not Chatham.Maybe that's why no one in Chatham has commented. Why don't you write on a Harwich page since you live in Harwich. We have plenty of other issues to keep us busy.
Elaine
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 04/19/2024 - 07:59:55

Chronicle articulated-Mooring Delays: I am very surprised that none of the Chatham Folks/boat owners have commented about this issue-why? There is a story within the story that should concern voters. At least as how the reporter lays out the piece.

Whenever one learns that in the deliberation process there was 21/2 minutes are missing from a video tape from an open public session meeting, something might be up. Of course one could ask how vital were the missing minutes to the outcome, why did the blackout occur, and was there some "light" shutdown during the water committee hearing? Yes, we call this gov't transparency.

While many might not be boat owners and a contract that removes an existing viable service provider and replaces the program who charges more than 3 times the costs which ultimately are going to fall on the taxpayer, this should be concerning. Gov't reasoning for the occurrence seems to fall on prerequisites not being met and the new fees being charged by new company are "Within line what others" are charging. The latter is nonsense.

Something does not sound right here.
Alan
USA - Thu 04/18/2024 - 22:27:56

Jared:
When is the next meeting of the Nauset Lighthouse group? I have some stuff to give to them, and a piece of the old Chatham Main Street School slate roof for you. Somehow Dianne Matteson was able to capture a few pieces, and she gave me one.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 04/17/2024 - 17:40:05

I check Marine Traffic.com daily. As of this afternoon at the Key bridge there were 28 vessels of various kinds Tugs, barges, crane barges, like the Chesapeake 1000 working in the area. Chatham connection?
There is a Jay Cashman dredge there as well., picking up the smaller pieces from the river floor. Jay Cashman has an interest in Strong Island , as well as returning the CG boathouse to Mitchell River eventually.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 04/17/2024 - 17:35:39

Bill P: While some duplicates may be result of user actions, there's an apparent bug somewhere in the HCoop system that seems to redo a post at some random time after the original.
It even happened to me once, and when the duplicate occurred, I wasn't even on the website!
Unfortunately, because HCoop is a volunteer organization, tech support isn't really available for some things.
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
Clearwater , FL USA - Wed 04/17/2024 - 15:17:55

I now see how we get double posts. I posted using my phone earlier. I always used a computer before. After submitting I get the message the post did not go through due to posting again to fast. I only did it once. I ignored that and checked the Chatham room and it did post. I wonder if people see that and post again. Maybe an Iphone glitch.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 04/17/2024 - 14:14:34

I got a text from Eversource that said it was animal contact
TM
USA - Wed 04/17/2024 - 13:20:39

Looks like the whole town is out of power. What happened?
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 04/17/2024 - 12:52:35

Dollar Stores
There may have been too many, but the company themselves indicates shoplifting and inflation are the reasons for closing
Alan
USA - Wed 04/17/2024 - 06:44:06

Conditions were clear enough today from the lights to see the steep elevation of Siasconset. Through the binoculars, the Nantucket tree line, 'Sconset water tower and Sankaty Light were all visible.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 04/16/2024 - 18:38:32

John, you left out the biggest reason for inflation. The out of control spending by the federal Gov. We exported inflation for years and now it catching up to us.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 04/16/2024 - 17:36:38

A few comments on a couple subjects. In the 1960's, Chatham had an A & P. a First National, Rupert's Market, the Northport Market, Atwood's Store and Roy Bearse's. Grocery margins were a little better. We also had 12 gas stations.
Two auto dealerships, and about half as many year-round people

On the inflation issue, we are still suffering from the near-shutdown from covid. Supply chains have never fully recovered, plus the American public is in an expansive phase and demand is extremely strong. As the US becomes a less-friendly
trader with China, we can expect continued inflation on many consumer goods. The
addition of protective tariffs will make it worse. This is not a political view,
just a real expectation when tariffs are imposed.

Christmas Tree Shops closed because of poor management by TJX. Dollar Stores because there are too many.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 04/16/2024 - 17:01:22

Perhaps I can explain why I mentioned using potentially vacant Airport land for including a Market Basket store along with what the LTE writer had mentioned. More folks would benefit from another use of the Airport property if it were converted and not used any more for the 1% of Chatham residents who do use it.
Yes, as a kid our family would go up and watch the planes takeoff and land. I knew of Wilfred Berube.

Driving by recently, there was ONE plane tied down on the tarmac. I expect that the usage increases in the summer.
Bottom line: Does the airport generate enough revenue to pay the bills? It is not like paying for Public Schools, the Fire and Police Departments, the Highway Department. Everyone benefits from those publicly supported endeavors.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 04/16/2024 - 16:52:49

High groceries, some may have to take a ride in there pick-ups and see what else going on "around town".Thievery is out of control. In some locals, the big chain stores cannot afford to stay open because of it. Time was that when someone stole a high end product in a drug store like nail polish, that was considered a big deal.

Take a ride down to Yonkers, yes Yonkers. Folks fill up large black plastic bags that are so heavy, they are literally dragging them out of the store right in front of security guards. And if they are "caught by police and arrested, they are out doing the very same thing the next day. You wish other examples, go to a Target store in Watertown Ma. Even the underwear is locked up, you cannot buy any, unless you ask a clerk for assistance-underwire? And then what about the smash and grabs, you may not see these in Chatham yet, but indirectly you are paying for it, how in the cost averaging in the overall cost of goods by the accountants in these big stores. And you need a new Beamer, no need to go to a BMW dealership, crews out there will get you just what you wish, it may be a bit Luke warm, but for half the price. And if you feel a bit insecure with this kind of shopping, go to the internet and shop with the known biggies there. Who do you think pays for all this nonsense?

Closer to home you have the Christmas Tree Shops, the Dollar Stores, why do you think they are closing?
Alan
USA - Tue 04/16/2024 - 07:46:34

Richard
You will not get any argument fro anyone on this site or elsewhere, yes groceries are increasing not just in Chatham or Eastam but it has zero to do with the Chatham Airport as you seem to be suggesting. That airport could be sold tomorrow and it would have zero impact on habitat homes, not now or in the future.

Anyone outside this administration knows well the higher costs across the board are due to inflation which is still not in check, oil prices which will more than likely increase another 20 cents a gallon due to formula changes and reliance on imports, credit card debt exploding, and the catastrophic
Expenditures to support the migrant crisis.

And all these supermarkets that have closed in the past are to some degree similar issues that Jetblue and Spirit air are facing. Both of these companies need some kind of assistance, good companies, but they are showing major signs of cracking. It would be ashame if they fall by the wayside as well

Oh ya and the T38 was a 2seat jet "fighter"used for decades as a trainer.

Finally the US has Boeing, one of America's best companies. In some cases, not all ,but in some case issues that are not even in their control. What Boeing does not need is the media placing fear into the American public just as they did with COVID. Watch out for those who have mastered the deed of sincerity when nothing could be farther from the truth.
Alan
USA - Mon 04/15/2024 - 21:02:44

And of course Havens for meat.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 04/15/2024 - 18:55:26

Joblot was also a S&S. So at one time we had an A&P, S&S, Downtown Market, North Port Market and South Chatham market along with Cumberland Farms.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 04/15/2024 - 18:54:25

Imagine some Habitat Homes, a helo port, and a Market Basket Supermarket that undercuts Stop and Shop and Shaw's being in what is now totally cleared and level land. AKA Chatham Airport.

The Town of Chatham could lease the land to MB, which has been precluded from coming out here due to S&S buying vacant potential properties in Harwich and Eastham. (The former car dealership on Rte 137, and T-time in Eastham) Yes, they did buy those properties and put exclusions in the deeds so no other supermarket could be put there.

Keep in mind there were two A and P's in Chatham, along with a First National Store where the Yellow Umbrella is now. Ocean State Job Lot was formerly one of the A&P stores.
Who does the Select Board serve? The very few people who have their own planes, or the rest of the people who would like to save significant money on groceries?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 04/15/2024 - 17:19:58

John Sweeney's letter to the editor in the Chronicle made
some great points.
AK
Chatham , MA USA - Mon 04/15/2024 - 09:06:12

Richard, there's two types of Talons..the T-38 and the MC-130H Combat Talon II as I found at https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104534/mc-130h-combat-talon-ii/
J Hallgren (as user)
Clearwater , FL USA - Mon 04/15/2024 - 03:21:03

I for one am happy to have the airport nearby and to live under the flight pattern. As a kid, I spent most of my time hanging around the airport. I was mentored by Jim McDevitt, who with his wife Michelle, operated the Flying Circus. Jim had served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and later made a good career as a captain with USAirways. I was taken into the fold of the CQX family and never forgot it. "Lonesome Joe" Gomes who was a U.S. Navy veteran of both World War II and Korea was a regular at Chatham Airport. He paid for my first flight lesson and to this day I keep a photo on my desk of a 12 year old me with Joe in front of a Cessna 172 at CQX.

I've heard the argument of exclusivity at the airport before. I don't support it. The Town owns a golf course I don't patronize and if I want to go to the beach, I have to buy a sticker to go there even though the Town I pay taxes to, owns it. You won't be kicked out of the airport if you're not a pilot.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 04/14/2024 - 19:15:46

Can one imagine how many Habitat For Humanity homes could be incorporated along with the solar panels to support them? Arguing over how many trees need to be trimmed to make the runways safe for larger planes is going no where.
And, do the taxpayers of Chatham really need to support Sky Diving businesses? Wilfred Berube built the airport by himself, with support from I believe Mrs Shattuck from Chatham . Does Shattuck Place ring a bell?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 04/14/2024 - 19:08:09

Airports are fun and their planes are as much or more. They provide a place to explore, discover and learn. No better place to find out about physics. This is especially true of the smaller general aviation airports.

The spirit of aviation provides excitement that no solar panel farm could ever begin to offer. Instead of attempts to close the airport down, it should be embraced
Alan
USA - Sun 04/14/2024 - 18:34:27

Chatham Airport would be a great site for a solar panel array!
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 04/14/2024 - 17:54:31

As Jim knows, a C-130 opens from the back. I have been a passenger in a C-130. Belted in on a canvas seat. Scary on takeoff when you might fall out from the opening on a steep ascent.
A Talon has only room for a pilot.
Are there any comments on turning Chatham Airport over to the rest of the taxpayers, rather than the 1 percent who actually use it? I know Barry Fulcher and Ross Gould have both had planes there. That was then.
There were airfields in Eastham and Orleans that are no longer. The roads in Eastham are Runway Lane and North Forty where the field was.
Seems to me that one could use the Barnstable air port just as easily to get to Chatham by air.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 04/14/2024 - 17:40:50

Richard, it is a highly modified C-130 used by Special Ops for denied entry operations. Pretty cool bird.
JimP
USA - Sun 04/14/2024 - 17:32:06

Jim P:
I looked up Talon aircraft and it doesn't seem to be same type of aircraft you describe. It sounds like a C-130 to me.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 04/14/2024 - 16:46:17

The fact that there were two aircraft explains why the noise was extended. I caught a glimpse of apparently the second one as it was over the Bay over Billingsgate shoal.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 04/14/2024 - 13:13:06

Air Guard pilots are amongst the best. Back in the day they flew my Team into a mission in Norway where we "tailgated" (jumped) from the combat Talon onto an ice flow to do an intelligence collection mission. We flew "nap-of-earth" from Germany into Norway with a number of false "pop-ups" so the Soviets couldn't figure our actual jump point. But as we were map-tracking our route into our insertion point, you could hear the tree-tops brushing against the fuselage they were flying so low. At our release point, the moment the tailgate lowered we were falling out (couldn't really jump as we were each carrying about 200 pounds of kit on the jump, the AF Loadmasters would pull jus to our feet and we'd waddle off the tailgate), we were SO glad to get off that aircraft. That was one of my favorite missions to this day. Winter in Norway. Joy.
JimP
USA - Sun 04/14/2024 - 08:53:46

USAF
Up until 1993, we had (SAC Strategic Air Command) protecting the USA 24-7 and on east coast we had the 99th bomb wing out of Holyoke Ma., However that mission has long since ended. Through 1975 all 52's were loaded with nuclear warheads.

The F15's probably being flown by Guard pilots out of Otis and while a few crews may have been upgraded to 24-7, While anything and everything is possible, I would suspect the Otis crews are being prepared to support overseas operations if needed.

USAF and Guard bases have placed their security police operations on heightened alert to protect against terroristic threats on the bases themselves. But then again, what would I know
Alan
USA - Sat 04/13/2024 - 23:17:42

Further information on F-15s. Appeared to be two Strike Eagles rolling out over the bay off Eastham.
Elaine
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 04/13/2024 - 20:18:34

I'd like to think the entire country and all our bases are on high alert right now.
Elaine
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 04/13/2024 - 18:58:35

I presume it was an F-15 that flew over Eastham this morning.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 04/13/2024 - 17:05:54

Richard: They were apparently F-15s and there were at least two.
Elaine
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 04/13/2024 - 16:48:41

Mid morning today a very powerful plane flew over Eastham, the likes of which we have not heard since being here over 30 years. I did get a glimpse of it as it headed West, apparently towards the former Otis AFB. It was to me a fighter jet, flying quite low. Was this seen and heard anywhere else on the Outer Cape?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 04/13/2024 - 16:42:34

John:

You expecting company?
Alan
USA - Thu 04/11/2024 - 20:17:28

I've been reading about the problem of squatters in California, Florida and
Texas. Does anyone know of any squatter incidences here on Cape Cod?
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 04/11/2024 - 16:57:14

Well said Shareen!
Tony Murphy
USA - Wed 04/10/2024 - 22:01:18

That's why I only discussed the drug dealing aspect, not the other stuff. And that needs to be discussed.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 04/10/2024 - 16:06:26

Folks, Let's be sensitive to the absolute tragic event that occurred this week in town. There may be some folks impacted by the loss of life who read this chat room . SD
Shareen Davis <shareendavis@gmail.com>
WEST CHATHAM, MA USA - Wed 04/10/2024 - 15:05:44

Breaking bad in Chatham, who knew. $50,000 found with the drugs. This was no small operation.

If you don't know what I'm talking about go read the Chronicle.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 04/10/2024 - 12:07:01

What's with the violent weather on both coasts and an earthquake in NJ? Hope Chatham folks were safe and dry as we had blowing sand here enough for plows! See you soon!
Emily <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Rancho irage, CA USA - Tue 04/09/2024 - 19:34:30

I remember the eclipse of 1970. We poked a hole in some paper and viewed the eclipse on the piece of paper below. This was in North Chatham. We enjoyed viewing the partial annular eclipse this past October 2023 and viewed it with special eclipse glasses. Yesterday's eclipse was only a 1/4 eclipse here in NoCal, so we took a walk in the park with the pup.. What a great way to start the week.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Tue 04/09/2024 - 04:49:56

There is a fantastic website to view progress at the Key Bridge site. It is www.keybridgeresponse2024.com
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 04/08/2024 - 11:49:30

1970 eclipse - As the sun rose early, Ralph and I set roughly 2000 baited hooks at "slack water" on the shallow part of Great Hill Ground, directly in the path of the expected eclipse. We averaged more than a pound of haddock per hook, then set another 2000 baited hooks during the darkening. We started hauling the gear when the sun re-appeared, adding 3000 more pounds of haddock and a few codfish to the record catch. That was, by far, the best fishing day that Ralph Long and I ever shared! Times have changed.
BobR <zutcg444@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 04/08/2024 - 08:39:41

I do remember the eclipse in 1970.I was working at Chatham Mobil and we could see it over the Oyster Pond.
Tommy Doane <tommydoane@comcast.net>
CHATHAM, MA USA - Sun 04/07/2024 - 21:52:30

I do remember that eclipse. I was working at the Northport Restaurant and we went outside and were able to create images of the sun using a colander. I think the skies were as hazy as my memory of the event. I was a senior in High School at the time.
Allen Robert Boyce
West Hartford, CT USA - Sun 04/07/2024 - 21:31:12

Sorry about the double post but Firefox or the server at the CHAT-M-Room got confused.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 04/07/2024 - 21:12:04

Does anyone remember the one in 1970 that was total on Nantucket and Monomoy Point? I was here for that one and the Chatham had several thousand people in town.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Sun 04/07/2024 - 21:04:41

88% eclipse for us tomorrow peak about 3:30PM. Nice sunny day so it should be a good viewing.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 04/07/2024 - 17:21:40

Hmmmm
When people remember President John Kennedy, they remember Nov.22 1963, The same would hold true For Attorney General Robert Kennedy and his death out in Ca. Few remember their birthdays.

When I am in NJ, my home is lss than 10 miles from the center of the quake and I was in my home yesterday. What is somewhat unknown, that where the center of the quake happened, there is large man made lake.Commonly referred to as Round Valley). The waters here are near 200ft deep and around the lake are dams These waters have huge pressures bearing down on it. There is major concern now, that one key dam could break. If this were to happen, on a comparative bases, towns like Harwich and Chatham would be completely wiped out.

Most of the residents are oblivious to the dams and the fact that Army Corp of engineers have been out evaluating and patching them over the past 3 years.
Alan
USA - Sat 04/06/2024 - 19:22:40

MLK Day is celebrated to mark his birthday, not the day he died.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 04/05/2024 - 17:08:01

Carol
NBC,abc,cbs did nit touch the subject on nightly news
Alan
USA - Fri 04/05/2024 - 14:13:09

I did feel the EQ, barely. I was in my recliner and felt it move a little and wondered if we had a mini EQ.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 04/05/2024 - 11:51:06

Alan, it was all over the news with interviews with the MLK's family.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Fri 04/05/2024 - 11:43:26

Did anyone in feel the 4.8 earthquake this morning? Epicenter was in Lebanon, NJ. The USGS website shows that there were reports from Cape Cod.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Fri 04/05/2024 - 11:36:51

Richard
That April 13 1950 article must have tripled the sales/readership of the Cape Codder. Who
wrote this super interesting piece, a family member?

What is unusual about today's date in history, was Martin Luther King being assassinated in 1968, I did not hear of any news agency or group mentioning it
Alan
USA - Thu 04/04/2024 - 20:09:43

A red cedar tree is also know as savin , which contains something known back then as an aborefacient.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 04/04/2024 - 19:05:40

A league is 3.45 miles. So maybe Captain Bob Ryder can tell us where this island was in todays terms as far as certain grounds are known.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 04/04/2024 - 16:40:40

In an April 13, 1950 issue of the Cape Codder, I read of an island "three leagues off Chatham" known by the early settlers as Webb's Island. Nantucketers were known to come to this large island and harvest red cedar trees which grew there. Centuries later, Dave Ryder would occasionally hook on a cedar stump while hook fishing on what was then shoal water for him. There are visible cedar stumps at low tide on Cook's Brook Beach here in Eastham.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 04/04/2024 - 16:37:28

Congrats to Jason Holm. I would like to offer a suggestion for navigation around and through the Pleasant Bay inlets. First and foremost the high flyers that are currently being used as channel markers should be changed to a much larger marker. They high flyers are very hard to see when returning to the inlets. I would like to have the Harbormaster post online the current layout of buoy placements at the inlets and throughout the bay. As it stands now, if the boys are relocated mariners have no way of knowing until they have to find the new locations on their own with no charted locations published. Seems like an easy thing for the Harbormaster to do not to mention improving the safety of the waterways.
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Thu 04/04/2024 - 08:06:08

I agree Dick. Jason has more than earned the position and title of Harbormaster. He's one of the most skilled and even tempered people I've ever known. The Town is better for this.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 04/03/2024 - 18:58:23

Nice to read in the early Chronicle that Jason Holm is the new Harbormaster. Certainly more qualified than any before him.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 04/03/2024 - 17:47:45

Richard,I guess you'll have to use your imagination. There are times I use a laptop and there occurs some auto changes by Apple
Alan
USAoMes - Wed 04/03/2024 - 08:26:18

Alan, your message needs some language clarification. For example, souls vs soles.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 04/02/2024 - 18:48:30

Still yet a new issue coming with affordable housing is the thought of " SQUATTERS". A subject that the average Chathamite might not be concerned with, but I am sure all the New Yorkers, know only too well.

Like a new movie coming to your area soon. Once folks have established themselves, in a property owners are finding it near impossible to remove the "Evictees". Some have become very clever, to the point of drawing up fake contracts making it near impossible for the police to take an immediate action. This area is a potential bonanza for this actioni, if you get my drift.

The beginning answer, local officials should be proactive to assist owners in the prompt removal to protect against major distraction of private property. They should be updating police procedures and specifically laws to address issues that grow out of control

Should redemption occur in this thinking, maybe. Still yet another thought in the whole equation is the children, migrant children as many might think this crazy, but the kids did not walk across the border for free. There is a huge debt that must be paid to their "GUIDES". It's not mentioned, but do we have slave labor occurring? Don't think for a second that if these obligations are not met, your local debt collector moves to collect. I would be surprised that the men working on the bridge had union books. May their soles RIP.
Alan
USA - Tue 04/02/2024 - 18:28:25

I have a bunch of early Cape Codder newspapers - some going back to the 4th weekly edition in 1946. There are a lot of cool articles in these, as well as advertisements for a twin engine plane flight departing from Eastham to Boston on a regular basis. And inexpensive house lots for sale.
You can see my email address.
Contact me if you are interested in seeing these, or actually taking all of them when I am finished reading them.
I did find a photo of the 1888 US LifeSaving Station Chatham Crew, which I had not seen before.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 04/02/2024 - 17:17:43

Has all the rain shut down the CHAT-M-Room?
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 04/02/2024 - 15:51:46

AK -I would suggest calling Gloria McPhearson who is the housing coordinator for the town. There is "attainable" housing and there is 40B housing. I do not believe anyone from anywhere in Massachusetts is excluded from moving into these proposed units. You may want to Google 40 B housing to learn more about it. If you call Gloria she will give you accurate information. There are so many stories floating around town as to what is allowed, etc, your best bet is to get the info directly from her.
Judy P
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sat 03/30/2024 - 18:49:18

Affordable housing. AK I think many people see this in very different ways. Forgetting about the types of wage earners you discussed, one needs to look at the concept as it is viewed now and whether it will change in the future. Affordable housing on the whole, is not suppose to be transitional housing. In addition it is now the case that it is not for emergency situations nor is it thought of for those who are gravely in need of financial help. It is currently considered for established households who are working and where folks have jobs.

It follows then, where Chatham residents are concerned, local officials/residents need to decide their intentions and whether there is willingness to deviate from any of the above. Besides just the subject of affordable housing, you can be sure Chatham's Social Services and Welfare Dept. will be a huge roll of this issue which forgive me, there seems to little discussion. My guess it will be nearly a year or more before any residents move in and the way folks think, will more then likely change.

I am sure others have other thoughts, but you can be sure money will enter into the game and it will not be just the cost of the units (ie long term funding will become absolutely necessary). Please surprise me and explain how this will become a self sustaining operation, no matter what track of thought you are in. Happy Easter to all
Alan
Alan
USA - Sat 03/30/2024 - 17:50:27

Please clarify for me: Affordable housing is open to anyone in the state. Teachers, firefighters, policemen and most retirees won't qualify because they earn too much. Therefore the units which are proposed may not necessarily go to locals in need. ????
AK
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 03/30/2024 - 10:30:11

Elaine - I was reminded by one of my friends last night when Ron Bergstrom was selectman and raised his voice and was rude to a resident. He resigned shortly after that. Open mic Schell should resign for his total lapse of judgment. The other Board members should not dismiss this. This is no way for an arrogant selectman who seems to feel he is above others - to act. He should resign if he feels the public HE serves are the expletive he called them.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/28/2024 - 13:24:45

It was so chilling to see the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. How horrifying it must have been for the workers that perished. It will take years to rebuild. Yes, this is a major blow to the east coast. It will take years to rebuild. This tragedy reminds me of the collapse of the Bay Bridge in San Francisco during the 1989 Loma Prieta 6.4 earthquake. Rest in Peace.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Thu 03/28/2024 - 11:50:37

"Open mic, Mike" is a perfect moniker for Mr.Schell. I heard it as well. It's not the first time and it won't be the last.
Elaine
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 03/27/2024 - 22:05:51

Piloting a ship that size under a narrow bridge requires a certain forward speed to maintain control of the ship.

Dave Ryder and I went under the Essex CT train bridge in early December with a wooden boat I was responsible for. We had to maintain a speed high enough to be in control. The "window pane" ice chewed upon her bow, but that was dealt with in the Spring haulout . Thanks to sawdust mixed with epoxy.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 03/27/2024 - 18:04:04

AH - I heard that as well. Unbelievable. I wish we were all able to tell him on an open mike exactly what we think of him. I was pretty shocked as well that after reading all those letters against music for LaPlaya they still issued the license for music. I'd be so angry if I was a neighbor living near there. Bill Riley acted like a child getting up saying he represented the Squire and if LaPlaya got the approval for music he'd file paperwork for the Squire to have outdoor entertainment as well. You can bet open mic Mike wouldn't stand for that in his backyard. My sympathies go to all the neighbors that are unfortunate enough to live near there. Remember this when Mr Schell's term expires next year.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 03/27/2024 - 17:49:01

This will all be revealed, but one can see the port side anchor of the container ship has been deployed. With a massive ship that size, and with her forward speed, dropping an anchor to stop it would seem to be a futile action. It may have been done after the allision.
Interesting that the word allision does not appear in on line dictionaries but is a common term among professional mariners. They like to avoid a situation like that.
I see on Marine Traffic.com that there are a bunch of Mcallister tugboats to the West of the bridge. They could be employed to pull the bridge sections clear of the channel. There was a USCG buoy tender there earlier today, but she has departed the area.
This may not be relevant to Chatham directly, but it will have an impact on all of us.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 03/27/2024 - 17:35:18

"Open mic Mike" caught last night calling a concerned resident a "pain in the a$$". He thinks he knows what is best for all of us long time Chatham folk. Agree with Ms. Patterson that he should be one and done.
JH
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 03/27/2024 - 16:09:57

Some interesting facts being reported out was that the Dali left the port of Baltimore at 12.28 AM. The ship was traveling at a speed of 8 knots/24 km per hr. The lights on the steamer flickered on an off once or twice, however the crew reported they lost all power and propulsion at 1:24 AM. So yes, the shipn veered off course, but it would be interesting to know the exact reported time the Dali hit the pylon.
Alan
Alan Wirsul
USA - Wed 03/27/2024 - 14:24:52

My daughter lives about 5 miles from the bridge and was up with her baby at 1:30. She said it sounded like a low flying plane for about 15 seconds but knew it wasn't one because the sound didn't trial off, it ended too abruptly. Hard to imagine that twisting sound of steel in the middle of the night and wondering what it could be.
M Reed <ccblues@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 03/27/2024 - 13:59:30

Richard, is it possible that the anchor drop caused the hard turn into the bridge. It seems if they just kept straight they would have missed. Why the sudden turn.

I remember Schwarzkopf when he talked about the lucky guy in Iraq who just went over the bridge before being bombed. Imagine those vehicles seeing the bridge collapse behind them.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 03/27/2024 - 07:27:43

Probably the commands given by the ship's captain and the advice given by the pilots are recorded somewhere . It Doesn't matter - the bridge is in the water, and this affects everyone on the coast of New England . Just moments before the bridge went down, there were trailer trucks going over it.
Stuff happens, but not usually to this degree.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 03/26/2024 - 17:55:07

Some years ago Captain Bob Ryder corrected me on my use of the word collision to describe an event when a ship runs in to a fixed object. He pointed out that if a moving vessel hits a fixed object, that is an allision. If two ships hit each other while underway , that is a collision.
I can't imagine the nightmare scenario that happened earlier this morning when a huge container ship lost power approaching the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 03/26/2024 - 16:22:39

At least they didn't use Pomeroy & Associates who taxpayers have paid hundred of thousands dollars to. Remember - any "consultant" the Town hires is going to come up with exactly what they're told to do. The only issue I disagree with on the newest plan is the space they've carved out for an adult daycare center. The expense is huge and one that can be avoided if we continue to utilize Orleans. The director of the COA did not provide any credible numbers in her grant application as to numbers of folks that want to attend vs folks going to Orleans. . When questioned by Board of Selectmen she did the same. We can save ourselves money and make that area the great room. Folks are already complaining - because there's not a big enough room to hold "bigger events". This could be a win win situation for all if they don't get greedy as in the past with the ridiculous plan for 1610.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 03/26/2024 - 16:04:38

The BOS keep going back to the same people for studies year after year in Chatham.
The Yarmouth firm did a second study of the COAL facility pointing out the same problems plus a few more this year.
Why not try another architectural firm?
Maybe some new and fresh idea's with a new set of eyes and
The cost could be covered by the possible savings in a new plan.
Bill B
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 03/26/2024 - 13:12:42

Chatham will never have a year around economy. Never. They better get the water situation under control before they worry about solar power and other "green saving"'initiatives. I would put little stock into anything Mr Schell says. Hopefully he's a one term selectman.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 03/26/2024 - 12:09:15

Just read the article on deed restricted properties in the Chronicle. Am I the only person who does not agree with Schell that Chatham should have a year round economy. I moved here from the busy city to avoid that. Where will the water come from to sustain 12 month housing if we have difficulty providing a water supply for two months in the summer ? Also those houses still on septic will need major upgrades if they are active 12 months of the year.
AK
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 03/25/2024 - 09:42:03

Drove by Harding Shores this afternoon - first time ever. A few homes had cars, but those few were from CT or NY. Had no idea how elaborate some of those homes were. Even though they are mostly well above sea level, some are totally at risk if and when there is a major hurricane.
Interesting to see a flock of Brant hanging around an old rock jetty.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 03/23/2024 - 17:41:41

Just watched the 3/18 presentation on renovation of the CFAL, and was disappointed. Fortunately, the absurd concept of sharing space during construction was summarily dismissed. A large multipurpose room with adjacent kitchen is critical to any center I've seen, but Catalyst's concept ignores that. Perhaps the layout of 193 makes such a room impossible. I would have started by gutting the entire building, or demolishing part or all of the existing structure. Perhaps we're over-valuing a senior daycare. I don't think we're there yet!
Dick Lacatell <Dick.Lacatell@twc.com>
Dalton, MA USA - Fri 03/22/2024 - 21:19:37

Richard, I just checked out the cleared lot that is for sale on Cedar Street for $1,150,000. Town sewer will be available in the near future. Holy Guacamole! At these real estate prices this former Chathamite can't imagine selling our west coast home near the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and trying to find a comparable home in Chatham or anywhere on the east coast. I am grateful for being raised in Chatham along the Atlantic Ocean, and am thankful for our home for the past 24 years along the Pacific Ocean.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Fri 03/22/2024 - 11:48:15

Amy -several of us believe it will be on a warrant for a Special Town Meeting (so we can spend more money) and add some more affordable housing articles to the mix. . We believe it will be in the fall.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 03/20/2024 - 18:56:01

I have a collection of issues of The Cape Codder Newspaper from 1947. What do you folks think what their ultimate repository should be? Lots of cool ads and columns written.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 03/20/2024 - 17:51:30

Nice to read there is progress on the Senior Center topic. And maybe some amicability.

But wait, there's more! Just read of a 0.35 acre BUILDABLE lot on Cedar Street in Chatham available for the tidy sum of only $1,150,000.00 US dollars. That is over a Million !!'

Maybe it is high ground and one could see the water.
Maybe there is a misprint .
Maybe the Easter bunny will show up soon.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 03/20/2024 - 17:13:33

I too agree that the Yarmouth architects did a great job and as stated by the center for active living director, captured everything the cfal wanted. What surprises me is again how out of touch the select board is on what the objections to 1610 and middle road were in the first place. It was never about the senior center or seniors. It was all about not utilizing what we currently have and overbuilding. And I am surprised they aren't going to bring it to town meeting. I think it would pass!! But now they are going to wait...ndwaste more time. Oh well. Hopefully in the fall they will bring it forward.
Amy
USA - Wed 03/20/2024 - 14:38:50

Dave - I agree with you. I think the possibilities they presented were great. I couldn't help but hear one of the BOS try to get the architect to admit the "building had bad bones" and was pleasantly surprised when he said it was fine. Think of the waste of time and money we as taxpayers have footed for the outrageous expenses racked up for 1610. Time to put that to bed and proceed with this. I am not in agreement though with the plans for a supportive Day Care Center. Orleans hosts Brewster, Harwich, Eastham, Wellfleet and Chatham and does an outstanding job. There is no reason we can't continue to utilize them.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Wed 03/20/2024 - 10:57:26

Jared, you are correct and I said the same thing to the Town Manager after the meeting. This kind of proposal should have happened three years ago after 1610 was first voted down.
Dave Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 03/19/2024 - 12:28:19

Dave, in a normal town, the leadership might have began at this step before attempting to build a new structure at a different location.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 03/19/2024 - 10:21:10

Tonight I attended the joint Select Board / COA Board meeting to review the results of the study of the current Stepping Stones CFAL facility. My canteen is more than half full of possibility. The architect has done a great job in presenting multiple renovation & addition proposals which will make the building utilitarian and likely extend the life for multiple decades at a cost far less than the 1610 initiative. I encourage you to view the meeting replay when it becomes available. I believe now we have something to seriously consider.
Dave Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 03/18/2024 - 19:58:15

Alan - they have a website - check it out. Chathamwaterways.org
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Mon 03/18/2024 - 16:53:59

Another good read. "Shipwrecks Along Cape Cod's "Forearm"

https://chathamhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/Shipwrecks-Along-Cape-Cods-Forearm.pdf
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 03/18/2024 - 16:07:16

With all the folks either speaking about writing books or have wriiten about Chatham, I do not ever remember anyone on the site speaking about "Friends of Chatham Waterways" seems like a vilteer group who operated in the 80's and the 90's with more than just a volunteer spirit. I know almost nothing about this group and have no relationships with anyone in the group, but I would like to hear more about them
Alan
USA - Mon 03/18/2024 - 11:14:41

My Dad (Wallace Dexter)as a young lad caddied for Joseph C Lincoln when the CBI course first opened. Sad to say he never knew that I played golf and have been a member for 31 years!. He died in 1990:at age 90 with wonderful memories and stories of his early life in the town he loved!
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Rancho Mirage, , CA USA - Sun 03/17/2024 - 19:46:15

The Monomoy Station men from Harwich would find it easier to row a dory across Nantucket Sound rather than walk to Chatham, thence to Morris Island, then down the beach. Rowing was what they were paid to do! I can't imagine how tough these men were - especially their calloused hands.
One time I went with Dave Ryder to give blood at the Congregational Church. They tried to get a sample from a finger, but it was so tough they had to take a sample from his ear lobe.
The values of salt water and hard work.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 03/17/2024 - 17:58:02

Happy St.Patrick's Day to Hannah St Pierre, a lovely woman from Ireland .
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 03/17/2024 - 17:44:55

Here is a very good read on the Wadena rescue.

https://chathamhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/AtAtwood_ccc_07-07-16.pdf
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 03/17/2024 - 16:08:25

On this day, March 17, in 1902, seven men from the US Life Saving Service Monomoy Station lost their lives in the rescue attempt of the Wadena. They are commemorated on the obelisk just North of the Coast Guard Station in Chatham. Some might have been from Harwich. The men lost were Marshall Eldridge, Keeper: Osborn Chase, Surfman; Isaac Foye, Surfman; Elijah Kendrick, Surfman; Valentine Nickerson, Surfman; Arthur W. Rogers, Surfman; and Edgar Small, Surfman. The only survivor was Surfman #1 Seth Ellis, who later became Keeper of the Station.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 03/17/2024 - 15:37:39

Richard, those guys were from Boston and went to the Eastward Ho Caddy Camp. They were tough city guys and I got pushed into a sand trap by the 7th green by one of them. I was about 10 or 11 at the time.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 03/16/2024 - 18:00:22

John Whelan, your comments are special about caddying at CBI ! How did you feel when you learned that you were not good enough to caddy at Eastward HO ? Those guys were trucked in on Friday nights to the C
hatham Band Concerts. In a stake body truck.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 03/16/2024 - 17:29:37

Golf pro Ben Bassett would ask me to go over to the kitchen at CBI and get some ice for the water cooler at the caddy building. It was for the golfers, not for us lowlife caddies.
I took maybe two # 10 cans and filled them with ice. The water was in a large glass inverted "carboy", a word that I didn't know at the time. (There were no big plastic jugs back then.) I don't know who might have filled them up.
I wonder what it was like for my Dad, Dave Ryder, when HE was caddy there?

Another story will be the Fordson Tractor that was employed to mow the fairways. I wonder if there are pictures of that machine in the Chatham Historical Society archives?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 03/16/2024 - 16:56:41

My memory says a Class A caddie got $1.00 for 9 holes. Once in a while, when there were not enough caddies some guys carried 2 bags for 18 holes and would get $5.00 including the tip. The bags were heavy and the golfers were often all over the place. The $5.00 was not worth it. My brother and Robbie McNeece played 9
holes at 5 PM after carrying 18 holes double. I could never understand where they got the energy.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 03/15/2024 - 22:28:43

Tony: As a kid at age 12, what other line of work would we be able to do? I am writing a potential book called "From Aunt Lydias Cove To Cape Cod Bay" - my jobs, my vehicles, my voyages, and volunteering along the way.
From Chatham as a kid to an eighty + person living overlooking Cape Cod Bay in Eastham. With twenty years of Navy active duty in between.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 03/15/2024 - 17:19:55

Brother John Ryder who watches this site and preceeded me as a caddy at CBI, told me of the steps that he had to go through as a caddy. He mentioned how mean Teddy Hilbert was to the rest of us. The peeing part.

Yes, Ben Basset was the head guy, but I never remember being graded as a caddy. Probably that was instituted after my time, based on my inattentive performance.

Like, I am lugging your overweight bag full of clubs you don't need here or will ever use here, what other miracle do you want me to perform? Over these steep Chatham CBI hills? On a hot and humid August morning?

The absolute worst job I have ever had. It is good to learn early on where you don't fit in.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 03/15/2024 - 17:09:36

John, what was the pay increase for being a class A caddie? Glad you didn't have to participate in any initiatons!!!! I would have opted for another line of work.
Tony Murphy
USA - Fri 03/15/2024 - 12:31:10

Never had an initiation, but started as a Class B caddie which meant about 75 cents for 9 holes. Ben Bassett decided when we could be Class A caddies.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/14/2024 - 22:39:35

We should start a conversation about caddying in Chatham.
How us local kids were not considered good enough to caddy at Eastward Ho; how some caddies at CBI (before me) had to endure an initiation , being in a smoky below ground vault and being peed on.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/14/2024 - 17:32:34

Obviously it was Susie Fishback.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/14/2024 - 17:26:59

John Pratt once showed me a golf ball that was Tip Oneil's ball, which said "The Speaker Lies Here". He had found it at Eastward Ho, across Route 28 from where John was living.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/14/2024 - 16:42:39

John Pratt, who lived with Susie Finback across Route 28 from Ea
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/14/2024 - 16:39:26

"All politics is local."
- Tip O'Neill
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Thu 03/14/2024 - 15:34:01

Judy, we intended to go to the open house but completely forgot about it! The erosion that is taking place is unbelievable!
Tony Murphy
USA - Wed 03/13/2024 - 13:00:13

Agree that comments in the room be limited to local matters. I also object to the Chronicles gratuitous printing of LTE's about national politics. Is there a shortage of local topics to opine about or does the CCC enjoy jabbing the opposition? It's a privately held newspaper so they can print what they want to print but good God enough is enough. Keep it local please
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Wed 03/13/2024 - 06:48:49

Did anyone go to the Open House at the Monomoy Wildlife Refuge on Saturday? I drove down there today and was blown away at the amount of erosion that has taken place. The building is slated for tear down in a few weeks. May want to check it out before everything there is gone. Walk down the few remaining steps to the left of the restrooms that used to be a pathway to the beach. The view is unbelievable .
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 19:19:42

Jared; The phone line went from Monomoy Point to Race Point and beyond to the Station at Wood End, which was of the same design as Old Harbor.
A Duluth type Station, based on the first of the many stations being built on the same plans as the one built in Duluth, MN.
When we talk with visitors at OId Harbor in the summer, and find out they are from MN, then we can make a connection with them.
Looking forward to another season at Old Harbor.
I am 84 and ready for more.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 19:10:43

I was taking a ride down the beach a couple of weekends ago and noticed colored glass sticking out of a dune on the inside road. It was pieces of old green and teal insulators, I'm guessing from the Coast Guard telephone line from long ago.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 18:05:11

I will rely on NOAA, and their forecasts , which I have found to be timely and accurate over many years.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 17:51:35

Okay: John has issued us our sailing orders, and I for one will comply.

Hard to believe that it has been 47 years since the Old Harbor Station was removed from North Beach. I know of a few ChatRoom folks who were there who are still around.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 15:19:30

Judy, the duplicates that seem to occur more frequently now are due, it seems, to something occurring on the server because of the long delays that I have sometimes seen between the original and duplicate.
It's like the posting request is getting stuck in a buffer on server somewhere and then gets released at a later time.

Unfortunately, because of how this volunteer HCOOP works, there's not really any official tech support but it was a service that has provided what I needed at a very low cost and gives me the flexibility that I wanted.

So once I realized (which took a while) that it wasn't anything we were doing wrong, since it happened to me once also, I am just going to, at some point, delete the duplicates in the History pages.
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
Clearwater, FL USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 10:30:36

John....delete!
Bruce Reddish <Podsqd@mtaonline.net>
Eagle River, AK USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 10:11:26

John - I forgot to mention - that if users "delete" their info right after they make a post - it's less likely to duplicate entries as we've seen in the past
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 09:36:06

Judy, I appreciate that response! Thank you! It had me a bit puzzled and thus saw it as opportunity to use it as reminder of my moniker rule to everyone so that's why I handled it this way. Hope you understand, ok?

Bruce, I don't quite understand what you mean as I see multiple ways to interpret your remark. It's my site and I have certain guidelines and rules which are followed almost all the time. But at times, things get a bit out of bounds and I don't always respond immediately. So it then gets even further away from the intended topics here and I need to give a warning like I did to prevent problems for me.
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
Clearwater, FL USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 09:32:18

John - I was the one who posted using "attainable"'as a signature. I was cutting and pasting and didn't realize my error til after it posted.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 07:06:46

John as moderator.....just let it go!
Bruce Reddish <Podsqd@mtaonline.net>
Eagle River, AK USA - Tue 03/12/2024 - 00:40:16

Ok folks...some of this needs to end NOW!
I was a bit busy here and let this more national political discussion go on longer than I should.
There's two reasons why I am saying enough, but one of them I don't want to publicize now.

The second is that the log files show me that it appears a regular user here posted this evening a comment using a moniker signature which is prohibited! I will give that person an opportunity to repost the comment with the proper signature and an apology to everyone before I remove the moniker signed comment.

Also, it appears that a valid comment by Bruce Reddish was blocked by my tighter spam filters and I will try to address that issue.
J Hallgren (as Moderator)
Clearwater, FL USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 23:09:14

Looks like the room is getting out of hand with the Trump bashing. When you don't know what you are talking about then shut the hell up.
Dick Fulcher <dick.marie@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 20:02:21

Now that we've covered the affordable/attainable housing debate and morphed into name calling and Trump bashing along with false statements and "thoughts"'let's move on. Did anyone visit the Monomoy Wildlife Refuge this past weekend for their final open house before the building is torn down?
attainable
W. Chatham, MA USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 19:38:52

I think Mr. Trump didn't want to visit the beaches of Normandy and the cemeteries because it was raining, and being outside would mess up his hair.
Folks who have served with him, and for him, can verify this. In his view, the men who were buried there were losers.
As he perceived John McCain, who spent years in confinement in a North Vietnamese prison. He could have been released but did not do so.
Donald J. Trump was granted a deferment due to bone spurs?
Never served a day in his life.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 19:17:51

Thanks to all for your revelations.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 17:19:40

That fact you claim is just more lies told about Trump. Do you still believe Russia gate?
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 17:11:17

FACT: Former President Trump didn't want to visit a cemetery near Paris for Americans who fought and died in World War I because it was filled with "suckers" and "losers," according to John Kelly, his longest-serving chief of staff.

I believe John Kelly. I remember John McCain. I don't back down either.
Judith
Harwich, MA USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 16:09:53

Judith - I never thanked you for the sacrifices of your family. I meant to - we need to thank our vets and support them and remember everything they did for this country.

In light of Amy's plea, I agree....let's tone down the rhetoric. I'll take the first step. I'll shut the heck up and go back to discussing purely local matters. I commented on $12.5K stoves and some folks freaked out and started inserting emotion and feelings into a factual argument. Then, the inevitable "B..B.But Trumpsters" started in. I never mentioned Trump, nor the current President.

It might surprise you folks to know that Trump isn't my guy. I have some huge (bigly) problems with him. I am also NOT a republican. I'm not a fan of the uni-party (dems and 'pubs). I'm a Constitutionalist. The republicans are almost as bad as the democrats. I deal in facts. Folks rebutted with emotion. That always leads to conflict. If you want to debate this material: borders, our Republic, the globalist policies being foisted upon us, our liberties being slowly eroded, then let's do so. But keep to the facts.

Mass was the birthplace of our revolution...what happened? What happened to the spirit of liberty there? The distrust of government? What happened to the liberals and their questioning of the motives and statements of our government?

In the meantime, I'll go back to the spring run of stripers, the peep winks, and Bruce's topic of handling flounder off Mitchell River bridge as the flounder exit their mudding down in the Mill Pondfs and seek the ocean to spawn.

I will not start a fight with anyone here, but I also won't back down from one.

Oh...by the way, I also greatly respect Richard for what he has done and his philanthropic endeavors. Some may view our service rivalry as hostility, but if you've served, you know it's just busting on each other. I admire the man.
JimP
USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 15:37:13

Olive branch????
JimP
USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 15:24:24

Judith - it never happened. Go check your facts.

And once again...Why bring Trump into this? I've keep this apolitical in light of John's desires. I haven't mentioned the grifting, dementia-addled, daughter-showering reprobate in any of this when I very easily could.

I've got an axe to grind with progressives. Can you show us on the doll where trump touched you also? Is Trump in the room with us now...???
JimP
USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 14:47:15

Thank you, Judith. Dang straight.
Greg
LOLETA, CA USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 12:57:01

"Sacrifices in vain"? Speak for yourself Jim. Trump called men in the military losers and suckers. Is that how you identify yourself Jim? My great Uncle, Uncle and brother all served in the military. My dad a mechanical engineer on Flying Fortresses. None were losers or suckers. Nothing done in vain.
Judith
Harwich, MA USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 12:47:47

Josie, not sure what you're referring to about a fee for paying town bills online because there's no fee if paid from a bank account via ACH. However, if using a card, there's a fee since the town needs to get the full amount of the bill. The only time I understand the town covers the credit/debit card fee is at the transfer station because those fees are minimal and the benefits of not handling cash offsets the cost.
J Hallgren (as user)
Clearwater, FL USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 11:13:27

In my opinion, there is too much hyperbole on both sides. If everyone turned down the volume and took one step forward to see just a little bit of the other's point of view, we might make some progress. But this back and forth is a waste of time. No one is listening to anyone else. It's sad to see the greatest country in the world behaving this way.
Amy
USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 07:39:58

Bruce, you are 100% correct. The sacrifices you and I (and others) made overseas on behalf of this Country were in vain. The very things we fought to prevent overseas have been openly welcomed in our own Country, by the very folks that sent us over there.

To the progressives: I'm not getting on your train.
JimP
USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 00:56:15

right on cue: "racists." The last refuge of scoundrels - accuse folks of racism.

Pathetic. Be better.
JimP
USA - Mon 03/11/2024 - 00:48:47

Any other bitter racists want weigh in? From near and apparently far.
Viktor P <Drewcarey@outlook.net>
Chatham , MA USA - Sun 03/10/2024 - 22:28:57

JimP There are no consequences for violating our laws. Diversity agenda with its political ramifications is the boiling of the frog by increment. Death by a thousand cuts. There is only positive reinforcement to violate our laws. I fear this will all come to a head in the near future. Gone are the days when we talked about catching sand dabs and sea robins off of the Mitchel River bridge.
Bruce Reddish <Podsqd@mtaonline.net>
Eagle River, AK USA - Sun 03/10/2024 - 20:26:57

Richard - you and Lisa are way off base. To open our doors to the illegals is an exercise in futility. To say they are "poor souls" is stretching it. They are ILLEGAL. What part of that is so hard to understand? You want them them living in your town? The last thing Chatham can handle is a bunch of illegal immigrants. We can't even handle the "supposed" legal folks here now.
As Jim said - look at what the Vineyard did. . Couldn't get rid of them quick enough.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sun 03/10/2024 - 20:21:55

Richard: southwest border. (SWB). You'd know this if they reported on it up there.

I am ALL for LEGAL immigration, as are most folks, as did our ancestors. Walking across the border, demanding handouts, refusing to speak the language, bringing your violent ways, refusing to assimilate, may be YOUR idea of "immigration," but not any normal American who believes in the Constitution. 93% of illegals do NOT get granted amnesty, yet you folks allow them to stay. Why? Virtually no-one is sent back. It is all done by design. Why do you allow this? Why do you keep voting for these people who chip away at your rights day, after day, after day?

I thought you were a sailor at one point? Need me to send you a copy of your oath? Or have you cast that away as well?
JimP
USA - Sun 03/10/2024 - 19:22:16

So Jim P, how many of those poor souls seeking a better life, like the folks you are related to , (who left mother England and landed in the late 1600's,) in this country have been returned to whence they came from?

Probably a high percentage. Obviously they can't all stay here, as what you perceive is happening.

The Hardings, Eldridges, Eldredges, Ryders, Nickersons are all immigrants. Of which your family is included.
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 03/10/2024 - 17:46:38

Jim P:
You are so good at obfuscating. What do the initials SWB mean to the rest of this group?
Richard Gould Ryder <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 03/10/2024 - 17:30:47

Lisa - part of my portfolio is/was the SWB. We have brought in over ten million illegals in the last three years alone. That's more illegals than the population of 36 States. 10% of our National population are now illegal aliens (30+ Million). We have a TREMENDOUS amount of military aged males (MAM) from China and Muslim countries literally walking across the border, picking up an Obama phone, and EBT card, hotel chits for high-dollar hotels, and free healthcare. We treat illegals FAR better than we treat our disabled vets. I know this by living it. Your virtue signaling about wanting more "diversity" and a demographic change is laughable. Texas gets over 10K illegals PER DAY walking across the border. Martha's Vineyard got 50 and within 48 hours, you totalitarians used the military and law enforcement to round them up and put them on a military reservation on the mainland. Just stop. Until YOU open your house, and become responsible for about 15-20 of them, just stop with the virtue-signaling. You all talk a good game, until it's time to use YOUR money, YOUR labor, and YOUR house. Lead by example - show us........
JimP
USA - Sun 03/10/2024 - 14:11:11

So to pay your bills on line thru the towns system there is a 26$ processing fee? That must be why the town never sends a prepaid stamped envelope via snail mail for town bills. Also speaking of mail I was at the main st post office around 7:00 to check my box and the doors were closed. So a woman postal worker was walking in to the back door at the same time. I went around to the back door which was open and asked if somebody could open the lobby to access my mailbox. She slammed the door in my face and told me to get out go home. Any thoughts? Finally somebody else not her unlocked the door. Now I was only trying to access my box not to make lobby transactions as I know that opens later.
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 03/10/2024 - 14:07:01

John Whelan, where on Scatteree Rd was the North Chatham Post Office? Scatteree Rd begins at the T of Old Harbor Road where Stony Hill Rd becomes Scatteree Rd. In the early 1960's Tom Hailey and his family lived across the street from the 'T'. Florence "Sis" Douglas lived on the corner of Old Harbor and Scatteree in the "Rose Cottage" until she built a house next door and sold the "Rose Cottage". I remember having tea at Florence's and the roses grew into the house. There were postcards of it back in the day. It was really beautiful. I spent lots of time visiting Florence and her two dachsunds at her new house. I also spent a lot of time at the Hailey's house and his granddaughter and daughter's house.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Sun 03/10/2024 - 10:27:32

I have not been on the CHAT-M-Room for a while, but I do know that the North Chatham Post Office was run by Pat Wescott on Scatteree Road. I believe the Chathamport Post Office was on Orleans Road just north of where those two tennis courts are. I believe it was connected to a landscape shop. Possibly Jim Robertson's. Not sure on the name. There may also at one time been mail service at the Corner Store. I seem to remember mail boxes there Maybe before WW II.
So the little town of Chatham had 5 and maybe 6 Post Offices at one time. I worked at the Chatham Post Office the summers of 1962, 63 and 64.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 03/09/2024 - 23:26:09

Thank you Bill! Couldn't have said it better myself! Interesting so many lurkers lately come out of the woodwork and don't identify themselves - yet they have these grandiose ideas as to "how we should act and what we should embrace". Give me a break. Liberal speak if I ever heard it.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sat 03/09/2024 - 19:15:12

Lisa, feel free to volunteer to house some illegals. MA is looking for people to do that.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 03/09/2024 - 17:41:15

Alan, it has been a long time since your additions to this site have only been facts. If ever.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 03/09/2024 - 17:40:20

Lisa
If you are suggesting that I am threatened, let me say my post may be a bit over the top, but I stated only facts and hinted that mistakes had been made and are being made. But mistakes are not as such, it's when you fail to correct them that they become a problem.

And you are right, ethnic diversity is a good thing, but when you have and overwhelming situation such it at the border of Tx. or in New York, Chicago. Or LA, and for an administration for 3 years has indicated it is not a problem, something is weird.

Worse yet, when a state like New Jersey acknowledges they are beginning to accommodate the NYC overflow of Migrants, but wish not to explain as to how much it is costing the state, how many people are entering or where the folks are going. Is hiding this the right thing to do? And I like your phase, I would embrace a "little more ethnic diversity" with the key words,
a little. Will you have the same thinking when there are people in a candy store, some buying and others stealing and not just a candy bar, but walking out with a huge bag, full of products at will? And your statement about the good ole days suggests something ugly and you do not even know who I am, it's the folks on this site who speak of the good ole days routinely.
Alan Wirsul
USA - Sat 03/09/2024 - 16:42:50

Yikes! I would embrace a little more ethnic diversity and demographic shifts here in Chatham. So interesting to see folks so threatened by "others" and for being so dedicated and committed to keeping things "the way things were back in the good ole' days" (when only white men had any power or rights).
Lisa
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 03/09/2024 - 15:21:50

... can see past some of the local government positions.
Along with the northern triangle comes the Nicaragua Revolution Huh?
Yes,the left Sandinistasas and Ortega vs the right Wing Contras supported by the CIA. Why? The objective was to provide military support to movements who opposed groups like the Sandinistas, as the Sandinistas were aligning themselves with the Soviets. A Nobel gesture, as we did not wish to have another Cuba in our backyard, but what a mess we left.

The rich got richer and the poor got poorer. Most Americans at the time and still today did not even understand this Civil war. But we do now, because the Asylum seekers are here and the ethnic mix is happening now faster than anyone could have ever anticipated or for society to "handle" This trend will come to places like Chatham
Alan Wirsul
USA - Sat 03/09/2024 - 11:05:23

Anyone who clams they are living a better life now, than they did just 4 years ago is not giving it to you straight. Statements like "The P's, Judy and Jim traffic in nothing but negativity, As the saying goes, when they show you who the are, believe them or I will let the members of the Chatroom decide who they who they want to believe." Statements like these command nothing but arrogance and yes it is SAD, for these comments portray a shallow understanding of what really is happening in America now and I could be charged with the starting of any discussion below, missing it as well.

Could it be The immigration Act of 1965 changed the beginnings of the USA of how our generation knew the country, particularly in the recent past and surely what is present now and what will happen to places like Chatham in the future. Up until now, Chatham has been what one could call a protected entity and has faced very little of the fundamental demographic shift that is ongoing, especially now in New York City. Yes, the shootings, the stabbing, the stealing, Fentanyl, no bail and all this violent crime may have not reached your little outpost, but if it moves like AI thru the internet community, I hope you are ready for it as, this low incoming housing thing is just touching the surface.
To my knowledge, our school systems teach almost nothing of US efforts to stop the war of communism in Central America's Northern Triangle-(Guatemala, El Salvador, and Houduras. During the 80's. This war on communism is just one facet of the mess we are in today. And if you think this thought is no place "for this room," think again, for if you wish to try and keep the present as close to what you knew as the past, then I would suggest you listen carefully to the likes of the Jim P's, the Judy's the Elaine,s and the Jarod's as they are very good with interpretations of the facts and can see past some of
Alan Wirsul
USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 22:42:48

Nancy: When I purchased my home, the deed, etc. said it was in Chathamport. However, the postmaster at the time said to use N. Chatham as my official address or I wouldn't receive mail! I don't recall when the signage was changed on the building of the building.
Judith
Harwich, MA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 20:03:29

The old West Chatham Post Office is alive and well. Wayne Gould had it moved to a foundation behind his house years ago. It was turned into a beautiful one bedroom cottage that I was lucky enough to rent for six years. My future wife moved in the last year and she gave birth to a boy that slept in a drawer in the loft the first month of his life. Then we managed to buy our own place. It was a great place to live. It still had the place original mail slot and a nice mural done by Clair Basley. Wayne can correct anything I didn't get right!
Tony Murphy
USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 16:06:00

Judy, Check with Ross Gould about the West Chatham P.O. As I believe his mother was the postmistress. I'm thinking Mid 1940's and remember going there with my cousin Leta ELdredge who lived just down the road. It was a little building across the street from the Sadie Gould house (another relative) on Route 28.

On another subject, does anyone know where Dave Archibald now lives?
Barbara <Bejsteve@gmiail.com>
San Diego , CA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 12:59:36

Thanks, Nancy. Even after six decades, some memories are as clear as a bell!
Carol Ann Conners <Carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 12:47:51

I believe Dave moved to East Sandwich
Don
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 12:39:06

Jared, Thanks for your help. It does seem plausible that the Chathamport p.o. was in that area. Yes, Reggie would have known!
Nancy Ryder Petrus <nansea123@comcast.net>
No Chatham, MA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 11:23:19

Judy, I really didn't take notice of the W. Chatham p.o.'s when your mom and I were growing up since they would be "faraway " from my home.
Nancy Ryder Petrus <nansea123@comcast.net>
No Chatham, MA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 11:16:13

Carol Ann, Yes, I do remember the temporary post office before the one where Pat Wescott was postmistress.
Nancy Ryder Petrus <nansea123@comcast.net>
No Chatham, MA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 11:11:47

*while the North Chatham Post Office

(Writing on my phone)
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 10:44:02

My grandparents bought their North Chatham home in the mid 1950's before I was born. After my grandfather Colonel Godfrey Speir died, my parents moved to Chatham. I was an infant and Will was 4. We briefly stayed with Granny at her house, then lived on Cedar Street, followed by renting a house on Stillwater Pond on Old Comers Road close to the RCA complex. I recall a cornerstone marker on Old Comers describing what buildings had been there. Shortly after David was born, my Granny bought a ranch house on Pasture Lane and sold her house to my parents. I remember while the North Chatham was first built, there was a temporary Post Office at a private home near the corner of Old Wharf Road and Old Harbor Rd. I think it was Phil Nickerson's house?

Stony Hill Rd once went all the way to Scatteree landing. I recall that Stony Hill Rd name was changed to Scatteree Rd from the intersection of Old Harbor Rd through to Scatteree landing.
Probably when many post offices were built folks commuted on foot or by horse and buggy. Just a thought.
Carol Ann Conners <carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 10:37:56

"Josie," We are in 100% agreement there. You've shown us who you are.

I, as did Richard, took an oath to defend the Constitution from ALL enemies, foreign AND domestic. That oath didn't expire when I took off my uniform. I have not forgotten MY oath.

and, yeah....I'm not getting on your train.

Richard, why bring Trump into this? I didn't mention Trump or the grifting, dementia-addled, daughter-showering reprobate. Can you show us on the doll where Trump touched you? Who hurt you Boo?
JimP
USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 08:04:37

No problem! It's hard to believe that such a small town still has four post offices. In West Chatham when my mom was growing up wasn't the post office where the Sou Wester was?
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Fri 03/08/2024 - 06:49:26

Judy, Thank you but that was definitely the North Chatham P.O. I remember it well. I am looking for the Chathamport P.O. and I believe that Jared is on the right track.
Nancy Ryder Petrus <nansea123@comcast.net>
No Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 23:09:05

As the saying goes, "When they show you who they are, believe them".
Josie
Chatham , MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 21:32:04

Nancy, after consulting the 1858 and 1880 atlases, I believe I found the marking for a post office at the intersection of Crowell Road and Orleans Road in 1880. At that time the school was on Old Comers. No post office shown in 1858, but the school was located near the intersection of Fox Hill and Orleans Road.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 19:43:34

Nancy - Cynthia just told me the same thing Richard said. Said it was at the end of Billy Westcott's driveway. I didn't think to ask where he lived though.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 19:39:31

Hi Nancy, as the Chathamport school was located on Old Comers Road amongst the RCA station, I would guess that the post office might have been very close to it, but I dont know that for sure. It would have been a good question for Reggie.

It's amazing the strange looks you get from even mentioning Chathamport. A lot of the newcomers here think everything north of the old Acme Laundry is also North Chatham.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 19:26:07

Not aware of the Chathamport PO. Maybe Don St Pierre would know. Or Dave Archibald, who has moved off Cape.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 18:55:48

Sorry Rich, but that was the North Chatham p.o. I am looking for Chathamport.
Nancy Ryder Petrus <nansea123@comcast.net>
No Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 18:31:11

Thanks sister Nancy ( a classmate of Jane Harding) for bringing us back on track.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 17:47:59

It was at the North end of Old Harbor Road. I thought the Postmaster was a woman . Married to Billy Wescott ? Mail sent to the Od Harbor Station would have been picked up there.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 17:34:26

Please excuse me for interrupting but I would like to know if anyone in the Chatroom knows where and when the Chathamport USPS was located? Thanks in advance.
Nancy Ryder Petrus <nansea123@comcast.net>
No Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 17:21:55

Our electricity comes from solar panels on our roof. For the last six years.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 17:15:49

I will let the members of this ChatRoom decide who they want to believe.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 17:12:53

Wasn't it the former president that advocated bleach as a cure for COVID? I see his NAVY physician has been demoted from Rear Admiral to Captain, Medical Corps, Retired due to his history.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 17:06:35

Richard, you, your-very-owned-self, stated it was a "federal grant." Like that somehow absolved any responsibility for its expenditure and responsible use.

You are the very same folks who demanded vaccine passports, who denied service to anyone not vacc'd; who wanted to seize our kids; who closed the schools; who FORCED all of us in the military to get the experimental vaccine - to many of our detriments. IIRC, Mass also mandated ALL public workers get the clot-shot.

You obviously don't know where electricity comes from if you are simultaneously killing the fossil-fuel industry and yet mandating everything be electric. it's insanity...suicidal ideation. Pull up some YouTube videos of people getting arrested on the beach, by themselves, for not wearing a mask. The evidence is out there. I don't doubt you are unaware of it as the media up there is so far left it resembles a go-cart track.
JimP
USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 17:05:35

I resent the assumptions that have been posted - that we don't know where federal grants come from; that we don't know where our electricity comes from - that we were chased off the beach if we didn't wear a mask - that we were forced to take an immunization?
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 16:46:43

Melissa - Excellent post! So many of us are in agreement with you. It's a shame more folks don't come out of the woodworks here and speak up instead of being lurkers. If we don't start calling out our Boards and Committees on this ridiculous density issue Chatham will be lost forever. It's interesting so many people move here, get on committees and/or Boards and want to change things for what "they" think is best for everyone. I'm still processing the fact the Planning Board wants no more single family homes built in the West Chatham corridor. Thankfully it's not coming to Town Meeting this year.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 14:43:07

Without gerrymandering the stoves you wouldn't HAVE to "upgrade the electric/re-engineer/etc." The bottom line is that it costs a million bucks to put 80 stoves in public housing. That's 12.5K PER UNIT. And..that is based upon nebulous data the admin is pushing trying to kill the petroleum industry by inferring a "health cost" to anything that isn't electric. These are the same nutters that foisted an experimental vaccine upon the public, arrested people at the beach if they weren't wearing masks, and wanted to seize our children and put the parents in camps if we didn't comply.

Where do you you all think electricity comes from? Unicorn farts? it is generated from coal-fired plants, which produces the electricity which then must be carried thousands of miles over lines that are highly inefficient and leak a LOT of that energy. All so some people can be smug and think they are saving the planet. It's a special kind of stupid that thinks if you send all your money to Washington, the government will change the weather.

The fact that it is a FEDERAL GRANT is also lost on you people - it is OUR tax dollars. All of us. it's not magical, fairy $$ fallen from the sky. I resent some woke governor using my tax money to virtue-signal where there are bigger issues at play?

Josie, please show me where I've been negative (current exception of course). I love the Cape, and our Country. I spent my entire adult life defending it. Have you? I loathe what the progressives are doing to it via open borders, globalist policies, fabricating environmental nuttiness, and intruding into every aspect of our daily life. Just stop already. $12.5K per unit should make you folks ashamed. But you appear to be proud of this accomplishment. And you wonder why we're at 35 Trillion (that's trillion with a "T") in debt!!
JimP
USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 13:37:16

Giving this page a cursory glance this morning. Sad to see that consideration for the Cape's ecological health that once dominated discussions about housing density seems to be all but thrown out the window with some who used to consider it a priority. We are killing the Cape with this feel-good movement to pack in low-income housing wherever we can. It shows how short our attention spans are for what really should matter, protecting the Cape's natural beauty and worth for generations to come by those who still might remember what that was.
M. Reed <ccblues@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 12:04:20

Thanks James Dempsey. The P's Judy and Jim traffic in nothing but negativity. SAD
Josie
Chatham , MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 10:12:08

Here's a link to the stove story: https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/03/04/boston-to-replace-80-gas-stoves-with-electric-in-dorchester-apartments/

The $1M includes training, electrical upgrades to the buildings, studies to determine if it really improves air quality and long-term medical tracking of the residents to see if it makes a difference.

So while the $1M and 80 stoves numbers are accurate, it's a bit disingenuous to say they are $12,500 stoves.
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Thu 03/07/2024 - 08:57:59

Google it Richard. It was in the Globe and other publications. It was a federal grant (TAXPAYERS) and it was 1 million dollars for 80 stoves. The figures are correct. That's over $12K per stove.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 03/06/2024 - 18:58:46

There IS a program in Dorchester housing to replace gas stoves with electric ones. The costs include upgrading the electric panels and wiring to accommodate the new ranges. It is a Federal grant. The intention of the grant is to make homes safer to breathe in and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Not sure where the dollar figure mentioned came from.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 03/06/2024 - 17:04:43

Jim P
A clever bit of humor, I liked that one, but be careful your good friend Richard might have something to say or if you will debate. And note, these climate supporters are taking over all the big cities in America, hmmmm could this have happened somewhere else, ie like in Europe about 80 years ago

Judy
I only have remote skin the game and I enjoy your viewpoints as many of them are very hard hitting. But this affordable housing is not unique to Chatham, it's happening across the entire US. Just as important as the density issue, is the fact of who are going to be the real customers and where will the true affordability come from. Local, State and Federal governments do not too many dollars in the cash register to donate, which usually means there is a significant of robbing Peter to pay Paul with Government Budgets When Peter runs out, the residents of the community pay, which is the fear of yes, all those across the US who have to foster this issue.

Participation by the owners in the owning of a unit is a wonderful idea because it goes well beyond pride, you build something your certainly very careful about taking care of the property. If it's just given to you, the care of the ripping of the bag disappears. I too enjoyed working on some of the same projects you did
Alan Wirsul
USA - Tue 03/05/2024 - 17:17:43

You see where the good governor is putting new $12,500.00 electric ranges in the public housing projects up in Dorchester? You think you guys can squeeze that in for the affordable units in Chatham? You know...to fight "climate change?"

How many of you peasants are rocking $12K cooktops?
JimP
USA - Tue 03/05/2024 - 08:11:25

John - I had forgotten about that. It's too bad because of the negligence of the Town leader(s) we are forced to cram in housing . There's no need to rush and settle for the type of density they are proposing - 60 units in West Chatham on the Buckley property is outrageous. I hope they proceed carefully and in keeping with the Town's character. I still have issues with Ms Davis and Mr Schell on both committees- as well as the general make up of the Affordable Housing Committee . Multiple conflicts of interest by most involved.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Mon 03/04/2024 - 07:07:20

I don't think the concept of Affordable Housing is well understood. The state
computes the number of affordable housing units a town has as a percentage of
total housing units. The stated goal is 10%. Chatham has virtually none and has
created only a very few in the past decade. Some might say that Chatham hasn't
tried very hard. The Buckley property and the Route 137 property were purchased
in an attempt to address that problem. So I believe that those two properties
should be used to build a reasonable number of housing units on both parcels. I
love Habitat for Humanity, but these parcels should built out in a denser fashion
that Habitat homes allow. Do Habitat on other land. Perhaps 40 units in West
Chatham and 35 or so in South Chatham. The demand for the units will far out-
distance the supply. Take a step towards increasing the housing supply in
Chatham.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 03/03/2024 - 21:54:06

The SB and Affordable Housing Trust is looking to purchase the land at 2386 Main St South Chatham for affordable housing. Right next to the pumping station. The Trust is going into executive meeting Wednesday, March 6. Wouldn't it be nice if that 1+ acre could be green space? Stay informed and speak up!
Carol Gordon <cgordon1213@gmail.com>
SOUTH CHATHAM, MA USA - Sun 03/03/2024 - 20:07:52

Richard - you can't go wrong with Habitat Housing. It's the work ethic that means so much to the folks that up with these homes. One of the individual's on the Affordable Housing Trust has a habitat home. She should recuse herself from any voting as she's for the ridiculous density apartments. She also makes a fairly decent living and should not be contributing anything to the Committee. It's ridiculous that she even has a say. This is how out of touch this committee is. You have two select board members on the committee as well as being on the select board. If this isn't a conflict of interest I don't knows what is.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sun 03/03/2024 - 19:29:06

Jim P:
I appreciate your informed response. Of course we couldn't make a landing on the shores of Gaza without a declaration of war. But maybe some other country could?
So, let the air drops continue. I wonder what it is in those aerial drops. Could they contain info from who sent them?
Like psy war stuff ?
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 03/03/2024 - 17:46:01

Not only do the Habitat owners do the work, but some have children and their kids see what responsibility is, demonstrated hands-on by their parent or parents.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 03/03/2024 - 17:05:40

Yes. Habitat families have a stake in their homes - they have shown they can be responsible, and they show up to do the work. A great concept. Maybe this is the common ground that many are seeking, as it has worked so well in many towns on the Cape.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 03/03/2024 - 16:59:48

Bill - couldn't agree more. South and West Chatham should utilize Habitat. There's already several in West Chatham now that are very nice. If folks are serious about wanting homes they need to work for them. Every time I drive toward Harwich I see the dwellings Mr Rudnick developed. They are always pretty much empty in the winter. I am aware he sold them but this is exactly what would happen here. It is a nightmare waiting to happen for sure if the Affordable Housing folks get their way.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sun 03/03/2024 - 16:56:16

Habitat is the way to go for S.Chatham. The 3 acres could hold 12 small cape style houses. These people own the homes and will take care of them. These would be families who would care about Chatham and build roots if not from Chatham.

Good lord 50 or 60 units must be a joke or bad dream.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 03/03/2024 - 16:37:24

Richard, I'll try to make this as non-poilitical as I can. If done (I disagree that we should be doing this for many reasons), but IF done, it must be done from the air. To do a landing and offload even small boats, we would have to secure the terrain. We'd have to put armed forces on the ground and secure the air against drones. To use boats, we'd have to use a forced-entry package of Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors. This admin does NOT have a good record the last time we did this (Abbey gate and Afghanistan). We'd have to hold the terrain from initial scouting, to securing it throughout the delivery, and holding it until extraction of the last Soldier/Sailor. Everybody/EVERYBODY hates Hamas and the Palestinians.....everybody. Why do you think it is only the US and Jordan doing this? The Saudi's SHOULD be doing this, especially in light of their Wahabiism and export of radicalism, but even the Saud's want no part of them, neither do the Egyptians, the Arabs/Persians/etc. They are literally viewed as "unterminch" within the Muslim world - nothing but trouble to anyone. No one over there wants to help Hamas and/or the Palestinians.
JimP
USA - Sun 03/03/2024 - 15:57:59

Thanks Richard! When I worked off Cape for one of the big tech companies every spring and summer employees had choices as to who to support for charitable work. My team always picked Habitat and it was so much fun. In addition to learning, the folks we worked with were wonderful. I was just so impressed with the entire organization. Several of my neighbors in West Chatham are also very actively involved with Habitat as well. It's a wonderful organization and I wish Chatham would work with them on the Buckley property.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sat 03/02/2024 - 17:56:50

Jim P:
How difficult would it be for the US Navy Seabees to land several landing craft full of food supplies along various sites along the coast of Gaza? Relying on your knowledge of such things, is this prohibited? The air drop was done probably with no ones permission.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 03/02/2024 - 16:53:57

Judy P:
I totally support Habitat homes, as I have helped build eight of them. I may not agree with you on some things, but I appreciate your well written comments / letters to the editor that seem to reflect what the folks in South and West Chatham might be feeling but are not willing to speak publicly about.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 03/02/2024 - 16:42:32

The Planning Board has been working on trying to change the zoning in W Chatham so no more single family homes are built there. Wisely they are not putting it before Town Meeting this year - as most folks object to it. Many of us wanted Habitat Homes built on the Buckley property. The people that end up owning these homes work hard for them, have steady jobs and take pride in them. What the Affordable Housing Committee is trying to do is outrageous. They seem to think they have final say in this. What they fail to realize is that they never will be fully occupied along with South Chatham because there are just not enough year round jobs here to support the type of density they want. They need to compromise or these projects will be held up in court for quite some time as several folks have already mentioned in meetings . There's a tasteful way to do things that benefit all and the sooner these folks realize it, and head in that direction- the more support they'll have. If they continue on this path of cramming as much as they can on to these properties the more objections and hurdles they'll face.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sat 03/02/2024 - 13:45:41

Eastham has some affordable housing off Brackett Road, and there are plans in the works to build more such housing at the former Tee-Time lot on Route Six, which is now owned by the Town. There will never be enough of this sort of housing as long as weekly summer rentals are so desirable on Cape Cod.
One might look at the Trailer Park in Wellfleet, adjacent to the Drive-In which has added a community septic system and has recently added some new sites. With no outpouring of dissent from anyone that I have heard.
I had suggested that the Tee Time site would accommodate a lot of manufactured homes, but that didn't go well. Would manufactured homes work at the Buckley Property?
Probably not allowed by the Zoning Rules that prohibit such domiciles that are perceived as "less than".
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 03/01/2024 - 17:03:57

Richard - 60-70 units in a parcel of property with less than three acres is outrageous. Many seem to feel that 35-40 would more than suffice. Remember - these won't be promised to Chatham people. Who will be the landlord? Way too many unanswered questions. How is Eastham solving its affordable housing?
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 02/29/2024 - 17:39:46

Judy P: Just how much density would you be ok with ? Maybe none?
Marcella Daniels has not been forgotten .
She was SO against anything but basic Cape Cod houses, homes for one family.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 02/29/2024 - 17:31:26

Dick - Your comments are timely. I can't believe the amount of density these people are talking about for affordable housing. None of the town's policemen or firemen will be able to live there. It's ridiculous and to compound this with a water shortage doesn't bode well for many of us. I had to laugh when I read Shareen Davis' LTE in today's Chronicle. If South Chatham's land was so "vibrant" and such a great legacy for her family why did they sell the Twine Field for profit instead of letting it become affordable housing? Trees have been demolished and land torn apart to build a bike path . This doesn't benefit the majority of residents. If we don't take steps now to prevent this overdevelopment on these properties our town will be lost forever. I smell a LOT of rats here.

. People better fetter acts together and do what we can to stop this overdevelopment of everything here.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 02/28/2024 - 18:00:33

I think it was Castell Kelly of Ruby's Dry Cleaning Shop and Laundromat , told me "You would have been taller if they didn't allow so much for feet".
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 02/28/2024 - 17:22:20

Yep. Chatham is lacking water for its population. What's the solution? Increase the population, of course. Did you see the marketing plans of the merchants? And are we still making exceptions to allow homeowners to increase the size of their dwellings?
Dick Lacatell <Dick.Lacatell@twc.com>
Dalton, MA USA - Tue 02/27/2024 - 19:29:31

To make this relevant to Chatham, my classmate Diane Matteson (CHS 1957) responded to an ad in the Cape Cod Standard Times, seeking a man with large feet to walk in concrete . She turned my name in, unknown to me.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 02/27/2024 - 17:33:54

I did walk in cement at the Yarmouth Barefoot Trader site in 1957. Sneakerless. I got $25.00 for the gig, when gas was 25 cents a gallon.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 02/26/2024 - 17:40:58

Alan: The last time I wore basketball sneakers was maybe seventy years ago. Who knew that they might become collectible? Certainly not mine.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 02/25/2024 - 17:22:39

Right on, Judy! Water is almost at crisis level and how will we supply all these new housing units? Our summer visitors and seasonal McMansion owners are blind to their own use and their year round neighbors needs. People post cute little signs saying "private well" but it all draws off the only aquifer on Cape Cod. Years ago some college professor friends of mine moved their family to VT because they were convinced Cape Cod would run out of water. Prophecy?
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Rancho Mirage, CA USA - Sun 02/25/2024 - 10:54:59

Since there were no actual details about the golf course pump, any chance that it could be extracted or removed from its existing location and rebuilt, if so how's the time to do this. So when the weather gets warmer Judy and Elaine can take some lessons from Richard sporting his newly painted golden sneakers. What could be better, a combination instructor/caddie while having some fun with their tax dollars and getting Richard.s insights about the issues of the day
Alan Wirsul
USA - Sun 02/25/2024 - 08:13:39

Richard......come on now...........don't make me toss a zinger at you. I've got a doozy all tee'd up.
JimP
USA - Sat 02/24/2024 - 17:31:24

Wait, the half expended can of Gold Paint was used to paint the ball on the top of the mast that came from the Pendleton Lifeboat. That mast is now a flagpole at the Old Harbor Lifesaving Station at Race Point. The ball fell off last winter and rolled to the north side of the building. The paint can remains.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 02/24/2024 - 17:07:58

Take heart Richard! The sneaker presentation was booed.
Judith
Harwich, MA USA - Sat 02/24/2024 - 13:18:34

Cute Richard. No one is biting your trolling. The offer to debate is still on the table. Come on Sailor....."dam the torpedoes and straight ahead."

You filled your house with illegals yet?
JimP
USA - Fri 02/23/2024 - 19:00:47

To address some of Emily's concerns, I think all of those decisions (apartments, cottages, condos, rentals vs ownership,etc) have not been made yet and will not be made until developers submit bids. I also think the most frustrating part of all of this is that assuming we or the developer accepts state money or tax credits (I am really not sure how it all works) then the local preference is out the window, or a low percentage, I also believe I read that if a family doesn't live here, but either works in town or sends a child to school, they get preferential treatment.the rules are very complicated.
As for the golf course, I would like to know the revenue brought in before saying $150k is a waste. Maybe it's a small amount compared to the revenue it generates. I am so glad CBI doesn't own the golf course. Remember the plan for condos which preceded the eminent domain case? yes, that cost us a lot of money but still I am glad the town owns it.
Amy
USA - Fri 02/23/2024 - 17:50:53

I have some gold spray paint if anyone wants to paint their sneakers.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 02/23/2024 - 17:33:30

Too bad the "Golf Course" is no longer owned by Chatham Bars Inn, but in fact is owned by the Town Of Chatham. The CBI could readily come up with the money to replace the well. The Town of Chatham can come up with the money as well , but the golfers need to be made aware that they need to be paying increased fees - whatever it takes to make the course enjoyable. If it is irrigation, then so be it.
I caddied there in the late 40's. I do believe there was water to the nine greens back then. Where else would I have gotten a drink of water along the route? Certainly the fairways were not watered then.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 02/23/2024 - 17:29:57

I have never heard anything more ridiculous than this. Yet, they find no reason to tell us "you have to conserve water". Well, I will be watering my plants whether or not it's "allowed". I do NOT play golf and as a taxpayer I object to this expense. Interesting that Mr. Dykens recuses himself from some votes, and yet, not the COA vote or this vote - when he and/or his wife stand to benefit. Hypocrisy and double-standards mean nothing to most of this Board. He made sure he is getting in his ten years of "service" so he can claim insurance benefits from the taxpayers forever from the Town. I think he and a few of his cohorts should be recalled for their actions. As Gloria Hicks said "they clearly are NOT acting in the best interest of those who elected them". I find this more than despicable the majority of this Board continue to act in their own self (centered) interests.
JudyP <judylpat@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Fri 02/23/2024 - 15:05:01

We are living in an alternate universe when it comes to Town spending. "Recreation and Beaches" asked the Board of Selectmen for $150,000 to replace a well pump station dedicated solely to Seaside Links. It was approved unanimously because they don't want the golf course grass to die. Glad golf is a priority when probably 10 % of full time residents have ever played a round of golf yet we get to pay the bill. No mention of the water crisis or the bad optics when homeowners are shamed trying to save their homes from mold damage. But Dykens plays there and says it's needed. The hypocrisy and double standard is breathtaking.
Elaine
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 02/23/2024 - 12:36:10

I think in the town's haste to "get it done" they are hell bent on charging ahead without taking the water shortage into consideration. Emily raises excellent questions as well. No one seems to have an answer and questions like water and who will get the housing are being ignored. Enough is enough. The Select Board owes everyone answers.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 02/22/2024 - 18:00:08

First, I'd like to thank everyone who answered my question about charging stations at the Eldredge Garage. Secondly, I find it ironic that the headline in today's Chronicle reads" water demand still outstrips
capacity " yet we have many calling for plans for excessive housing density. Where will the water come from to meet the demands of this housing?
AK
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 02/22/2024 - 17:04:55

I need some enlightening on the plans for affordable housing on the Buckley and Meetinghouse Rd RFPs. If the goal is to create Chatham workforce housing, what will the final outcome be? Any regulations? For sale or for rent, condos? Purchased property at the market rate? Any subsidies? Apartments, Townhouses, or cottages? We have Lake Street and the Anchorage which I believe are "managed " rentals. I think the discussion about density could be premature before we know what kind of "affordable" housing is in the discussion process. I would be happy to vote for any development that benefits Chatham and it people....not someone from off Cape who works in Hyannis!
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Rancho Mirage, CA USA - Thu 02/22/2024 - 15:08:03

Not sure where some of these terms come from when speaking of the trust housing project, You do not wish to "handcuff the developer" or making "modest profits"". Developers are in the deal to MAKE MONEY. I would think the Trust should set the parameters as to what they want,, not the other way around. The more units built, the more money the developer makes. Not sure what you want, than consider using AI to creat some models for discussion as to what could be or should be., Seems to me, that folks are walking into something near totally blind. Chatham should not be the land of Oz,
Alan wirsul
USA - Thu 02/22/2024 - 09:35:23

I think Amy has accurately described what she feels will happen with the density.
The open-ended RFP's allow for developers to propose a project they believe will
work for their company and Chatham. The Affordable Housing Trust does not have
to accept that proposal. They recognize that the voters of Chatham are sensitive
about density. A compromise figure can be reached--perhaps about 40 units in
West Chatham. A compromise that will provide much-needed housing units and a
project where the developer can make a modest profit. Both sides give a little.
JOHN WHELAN <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 02/21/2024 - 23:00:49

Let's see if they stick to their words. I have zero faith in these people.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 02/21/2024 - 16:46:12

I watched the entire hearing and stand by my original comments.
Amy
USA - Wed 02/21/2024 - 16:14:32

Amy - as much as I'd like to agree with you, I can't after watching it last night. A few meetings ago Mr Oppenheim got up in front of everyone and basically had a tantrum saying they were going for density. After last night and the comments, they'd be fools not to know the majority of taxpayers are not happy with them. It was said by one individual "we elected you to be our voice, and you are not listening". It could not have been said any better. They tried to appease folks last night but failed miserably. They can say whatever they want - but as far as trusting any of them - that's different story.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 02/21/2024 - 10:36:57

If I read correctly the article in last weeks Chronicle, it said that the Affordable Housing Trust did not want to put handcuffs on any developers approach to these projects and that is why they didn't limit the number of units. The group also said that this did not mean they would go with the highest density, just that they wanted developers to be free to be creative and, frankly, to submit bids. Nothing is carved in stone at this point. Not even close. I believe there will still be plenty of time for the public's input. That was my understanding anyway.....
Amy
USA - Wed 02/21/2024 - 09:31:43

I hope the folks that watched this charade tonite liked what GloriaHicks said. She was spot on about non- transparency with Mr Schell and Ms Davis for both being on the Affordable Housing Trust Committee and on the Select Board. The Selectmen also set a goal for themselves to get RFP's from non profit developers. They did not do this. There is ZERO transparency with this project. They are going after density and nothing they say will convince others. We need to keep an eye on this Board. Mr. A he'll and Ms Davis should NOT be voting on this.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 02/20/2024 - 21:40:59

Please tune in tonight and watch the Select Board Meeting If the Affordable Housing Committee gets their way, our Town will never be the same with the massive density they want to build. I find it interesting the few outspoken folks behind it have no longstanding ties to Chatham - Mr. Schell and Mr. Oppenheim. They like to tell others what to do - maybe they should build some housing on their lots.
judyp
West Chatham, MA USA - Tue 02/20/2024 - 17:27:50

There are at least ten TESLA stalls in Orleans, but they are behind the far end of Stop and Shop, not TJ Maxx. Not visible from most of the parking lot, and there is no signage. I just drove around the backs of the two buildings to find the stations.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 02/20/2024 - 16:32:23

Richard et al
For any municipality (Ie Chatham) to invest in a charming station, one needs to understand a few key basic facts ( sure there s more to understand than listed below)
1. There are currently only 3 Tesla super chargers on the Cape- Orleans, Hyannis, and Mashpee
2. Tesla Super chargers are the most cost effective to the customer and charge at the fastest rate
3.. Richard, the chargers you speak of elsewhere are likely "level 2 chargers" which are very useful to EV drivers but usually are at higher costs and not as efficient
4.whenever evaluating he current charger locations you need to understand how many stalls are at the location. In the case of Harwich Tech school, there are only 2 stalls.
5. Other EV produced cars, other than Tesla, can use a Tesla super charger or level 2, but need to purchase adaptive novels at a one time cost of aboutv $250.
6, Tesla's can even charge of a home 110 system, but the very cost effective and the charging times are very long, so super chargers add revenue because users what to go shop.
7. Some states are even footing some of the bill for the installation of a charging station

For a township to invest in a charging station, the near term cash layout, would provide long term cash flows. Think of the funds saved with a charging stationed powered by solar in combination with municipal vehcile use. Heck the savings could even make for a good down payment on a new Sr. Center-kidding of course.
Alan Wirsul
USA - Mon 02/19/2024 - 20:16:15

Apparently there are two local TESLA Superchargers that I overlooked: one at the Wequasset Inn and one at TJ Maxx ? in Orleans. Obviously this technology is growing faster than the Internet can keep up with the new stations.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 02/19/2024 - 17:39:14

Alan, the fee stated was from the Internet, which shows all the charging stations on the Cape. Presumably it is current info. I didn't mention that there are four stations in Eastham, 2 at the Town Hall and 2 at the Library. None shown in between Eastham and Provincetown. One planned at Cape Associates here in Eastham at their main office.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 02/19/2024 - 17:22:45

Richard
Not sure where or how you are getting the 1.50/hr charging fee. There is no flat fee for using a charger, every system measures the incoming electricity to the car. A normal charge from a Tesla Supercharger where you are taking the auto from 20% charge to 75% (estimated) is about $19.00. If the cost were $1.50, every EV in a 30 mile radius on Cape cod would be there.

The very fact you are calling out so few chargers demonstrates there is a need for chargers and where a town investment could be made. If a charging station were to be placed off Main Street, it would enhance business and the town and indeed the town would make far more revenue than they would with parking meters. The same would be true if an installation were placed at the fish pier.

Yes, the very affluent will more than likely add their 220 lines in their mega homes, but that would not be the customer base. Anyway you look at it, it's a win win for the town and the customer including the tourists.
Alan Wirsul
USA - Mon 02/19/2024 - 08:33:56

The only charging station in Chatham is at the CBI, but it is restricted to guests only. Cape Associates has one in the works. Yes, the Tech School has one. Except for the CBI, these are not free sites. P'Town site at the pier costs $1.50 per hour.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 02/18/2024 - 18:51:10

John
Yours noted and of course I was responding to AK's post which hit on some thing very interesting for Chatham. Not only about the charging stations for a manicipality installation for profit but the adoption of Chatham township vehicles such as an EV patrol car or at least a hybrid. Some departments across the state of ma are already taking advantage of grants to partially fund EV patrol cars (like the Mass EVFP grant).

And closer to home, I believe the Technical high school in Harwich has a charging station in place already who officials could certainly consult with. And just as interesting would be the Folks supporting the Tesla super charger located in Orleans

If Chatham officials wish to save taxpayers money, now is the time to do so while the funds are available. EV's are well past the experimental stage and the train is moving quickly, just as it is doing with AI.

As far as pedestrians and bikers being hit, the drivers have their onboard computers availing and warning them of dangerous traffic situations
Alan Wirsu
USA - Sat 02/17/2024 - 20:18:19

Just to add another aspect to the Buckley discussion; does anyone remember that Joe Buckley Sr. died accidentally of drinking a dose of an agricultural chemical potion that he had mixed up and stored in a beer bottle in his refrigerator?
This came to me from John Pratt, who I think was working for Mr. Buckley at the time.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 02/17/2024 - 17:45:56

In Eastham, we do have some low income housing that is doing well; It certainly looks pretty dense to me, compared to the rest of Eastham with single family homes.
Has anyone checked with the Chatham Police to see how many calls they respond to at the various hotels and motels in Town? Compared to Lake Street ?
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 02/17/2024 - 17:19:15

Re EV charging:
In the case of Tesla super chargers, once in the ground and set up, indeed it is like going to a gas station. All Tesla's have on-board computers. The driver merely activates their screen which has a series of commands available, one of which is "charging". There is a electrical cord that runs from the Tesla equipment into the plug of the car, a no brainer.

The on-board Tesla system does the rest. It indicates your schedule start of charge, how many watts you are taking in as a function of time plugged in and the the cost is automatically sent via the web to a central Tesla control center. Then you are invoiced. Many of the super chargers are located at convenience stores like Wawa. I guess Wawa gets a small negotiated cut for allowing the equipment to be placed on the property. There are also level 2 charging stations where a deal must be worked with the utility company and the property owner.
Alan Wirsul
USA - Sat 02/17/2024 - 13:44:11

I have read the Chronicle regarding density of the lots to be developed. Can anyone tell me what is wrong with the Lake Street housing?
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 02/16/2024 - 19:02:52

I urge everyone to learn about the RFPs being presented to the SB Tuesday, February 20 5:30PM. Come out and ask questions, call in if you can't attend, write letters. The Affordable Houseing Trust has approved an RFP to be sent to developers with a minimum of 36 units for each property but has left the max number of units open to the developers' discretion ( 50, 60 units or more). If the developers come back with a plan and we don't like the number of units , we've been told we then have to go back to the town for the amount of money between what we want and what the developers decided to do. The makes no sense to me. Why not just tell the developers what we want and see their plan? We have been told few developers will look at a small developement. Well Brewster has a nice small affordable housing development with approx. 25 cottage style units. There are developers who will do what we want! Less density is best for the quality of life and desirabilty of these communities.

Check the SB agenda Monday or call Twon offices to confirm Tuesday's meeting. This is our Town, speak up and help preserve what's left of Chatham.
Carol Gordon <cgordon1213@gmail.com>
SOUTH CHATHAM, MA USA - Fri 02/16/2024 - 15:41:36

Richard - we are talking Chatham - not Eastham where you live, nor CBI, nor the military .
If you've read the Chronicle you'll understand the problem . Check the letters that were written against it. Constructing 70 units of affordable housing on less than 3 acres on the Buckley property is ridiculous.
JudyP
WChatham, MA USA - Thu 02/15/2024 - 18:44:50

Oh wait! How about the number of people staying at the Chatham Bars Inn each night in the summer? Is that too many?
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 02/15/2024 - 18:27:24

I can talk density. How about 3500 men living on a Navy ship that is 900 feet long. I know it is not relevant to this discussion, but it was possible.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 02/15/2024 - 17:44:59

Just what is the problem with Lake Street in Chatham? This argument about density sounds so much like an argument Marcella Daniels would make in the 50's at Town Meeting about not wanting apartment houses in Chatham.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 02/15/2024 - 17:42:10

I find it interesting the West Chatham Association has been so quiet as well. So many people in West Chatham were so concerned about the airport, yet they are crickets when it comes to potentially letting the proposed area become another over developed area not keeping the character of our town. This is not a well thought out plan and not listening to the residents of both South and West Chatham is a mistake that will forever change our town.
Ed Mallowes <emallowes@comcast.net>
West Chatham, MA USA - Thu 02/15/2024 - 09:06:26

I find it interesting that no one here has discussed the outrageous density proposed for the Buckley property for Affordable Housing. There have been letters to the Chronicle and today's issue says the AFH Committee is unwilling to listen to the public - they just want density. West Chatham and South Chatham are not the trial areas for these ridiculous oversized developments. We do not want another development like Lake Street. There are not enough year 'round jobs to offer the amount of folks in the amount of housing they are discussing. The West Chatham Association needs to get involved ASAP along with others that are against this ridiculous amount of development on the Buckley property.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 02/14/2024 - 19:46:06

Hard to believe that Ed Marinaro can be in his 70's! Time does fly by when you are having fun. I wonder what ever happened to him.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 02/14/2024 - 18:58:12

Due to interruptions to internet and power services caused by the weather conditions, the Chatham Select Board meeting will convene remotely at 5:30 p.m. for the sole purpose of opening and continuing two scheduled public hearings to February 20, 2024. No other items scheduled on this evening's agenda will be discussed. The Board will convene an additional meeting next week (date to be determined) to act upon those items originally scheduled for this evening's meeting.

Thanks!

Shanna Nealy
Executive Secretary to the Town Manager/Select Board
Shanna Nealy
Chatham , MA USA - Tue 02/13/2024 - 16:09:05

Ed Marinaro played for Cornell around 1970ish. Then played for the Vikings. Most will know him from the TV show Hill Street Blues. One of the best shows ever on TV.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 02/12/2024 - 19:12:04

Actually, Ed Marinaro was a classmate of mine who later went on to play for some NFL team I'm told.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 02/12/2024 - 17:25:19

Since Chatham High never had a football team after one Chatham player died from a head injury , (according to Dave Ryder, )I have never been a football fan. I saw one game at Cornell.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 02/12/2024 - 17:11:37

How many electric vehicles will be hitting pedestrians since you can not hear them if you are a Biker, walker or runner. It will be like chum for sharks putting in chargers.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 02/12/2024 - 14:29:10

Will they have regular 110 plugs for electric bikes?
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 02/12/2024 - 14:24:00

@JudyP - I have no insight into how it will actually work at the Eldredge Garage, but it's definitely possible that the Town would get a cut of the EV charging revenue which could offset the original capital expenditure.
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Mon 02/12/2024 - 13:44:18

Richard - news reported tonite the average price of a Super Bowl commercial is 7 million. I forgot the average amount folks bet. It's all about the money, the partying, and the food. I don't watch it - but kudos to those that can watch this for 4-5 hours.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sun 02/11/2024 - 19:15:12

In the big scheme of things, why is the Super Bowl so important to so many? A chance to pig out in front of the TV?
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 02/11/2024 - 18:52:43

That's what I was told today as well; however the taxpayers are paying for the stations. I don't agree with this.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sun 02/11/2024 - 17:14:07

AK, I believe they work in a similar fashion as gas pumps where you swipe your card to pay for your charge. I don't know anything about rates.
Tony Murphy
USA - Sun 02/11/2024 - 14:36:48

After reading the Mainsheet regarding the Eldrege Garage building, I was wondering if taxpayers will be responsible for the cost of charging EV cars . Does anyone know how that works?
AK
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 02/11/2024 - 11:41:27

I support there three J's; Jared , John and James in their view that this erosion is not a burden on Morris Island or Stage Island that the Town of Chatham should bear.
When our lot was eroding here in Eastham there was no support from the Town., or any asked for. Now, in the short run, windblown sand has filled in some of the beach to the tune of 6 feet of added granular stuff over the last three years. No comments from the Town now either. As it should be.
You live near the beach ? Be prepared to deal with a loss, or gain.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 02/09/2024 - 19:33:55

I believe that 197 Tilipi Run was the home that was for sale for $25M a few years ago. (I think they eventually sold it for $14M) I would hate to have invested that kind of money and have the entire house threatened by erosion, but they must have realized that was a possiblility.
James J Dempsey
W.Chatham+Boxborough, MA USA - Fri 02/09/2024 - 09:23:42

Jared, when my home on Holway Street was threatened by erosion, I paid for the legal fight, the engineering of the revetment and the construction. It was a very heavy burden and a significant risk. I believe the same treatment pertains today.
The Quitnessett Association may choose to help the homeowner but the Town of Chatham does not have responsibility. The Town could eventually lose significant
tax revenue on Morris Island. With a rising sea level, access to that end of town might get to be like Lieutenant Island in Wellfleet. Mid-tide and lower only.
john whelan <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 02/08/2024 - 23:03:48

Dave, I don't see the Town bearing any responsibility in regards to Morris Island. Morris Island (with exception to federal lands) are under the control of the private Quitnessett Association. Regarding the property referenced in the news story, any erosion control would probably have to be worked out with FWS as they own the land below that property.

In Josh Nickerson's book, Days to Remember (compiled up to 1988), he ponders what will become of North and South Beaches. He says, "I believe the newly created island, currently being called South Beach, will attach itself to Monomoy, and there will again be quiet water between it and the mainland. But the northerly end of this South Beach will gradually erode, and the point of the North Beach will continue its way southward again. During this process there will again be erosion of the mainland and of Morris Island as the inlet moves south. But this process will take years, even decades, to accomplish nature's design."
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 02/08/2024 - 20:06:35

Bill- there was a huge swath of land removed from Job Lot I noticed today driving by. Going up the airport road the Owen's house had half the front lawn removed. They are also removing a bunch of trees by the ACO building. I'm all for the bike path but in my opinion this is more than excessive.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 02/08/2024 - 19:08:39

The erosion at and around the Monomoy Wildlife area is terrible. In reading the CCC and the story about the 197 Tilipi Run home, I was unable to discern who's going to absorb the expense of the significant sheeting. Is that the homeowner or the Town?
Dave Mott <Djmott@aol.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 02/08/2024 - 10:04:32

I noticed a sign at Job-lot about bike path construction. Does anyone know what they are doing in this area in regards to the bike path?
Bill P
USA - Thu 02/08/2024 - 08:41:41

Very sad. Jeff was in my class. I knew Chris as well. Brandon was younger but still very sad. You never know when your last breath will be. Illness has a way of sneaking up on people when you least expect it. May they rest in peace.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Sat 02/03/2024 - 17:17:53

3 Chatham boys who were teens in the 70's died in the last few months.
Rip, Jeff, Brandon and Chris all just in their sixties.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 02/03/2024 - 13:05:12

Thanks John Whelan for the recipe for an Awful-Awful. I don't think I would have finished one, as at the time my stomach was kinda not challenged. I was on limited rations as a student.
By the way, Phyllis Tileston, rest her kind soul, was in a movie with Dave Ryder, back in the late 40's. Shot in Chatham. with the F/V Alice and Nancy. With the CG36500 in a scene or two. She played his wife, much to the dismay of my mother Alice Ryder. And a "summer kid" played my brother Bob.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 01/31/2024 - 17:45:31

Wayne - it's the sewer. We were told today the road will probably be closed tomorrow.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Wed 01/31/2024 - 15:15:53

Anyone know what is going on at the Harbormasters?
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/29/2024 - 14:30:19

Thanks Richard and John. I think I would have enjoyed and Awful-Awful.
Thomas Doane <tommydoane@comcast.net>
WEST CHATHAM, MA USA - Sun 01/28/2024 - 23:01:34

Tommy, an Awful Awful is just what Richard described. Maybe about 24 ounces.
Close to a pint of Milk, syrup for flavor, 2 scoops of ice cream. Black and
white Awful Awfuls were popular. Chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream. I
preferred a white and black--vanilla syrup and chocolate ice cream. I don't
remember if I ever finished one. Some other company had copyrighted Awful Awful
and they sued Friendly's and won. The Awful Awful became the Fribble. Same
size, but less popular.
john whelan <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Sun 01/28/2024 - 20:58:43

By the way, Jimmy Cardoza was a Classmate of mine at Stockbridge. He majored in Horticulture, and later became the Head Gardener at the Hallmark Cards Crown Center in Kansas City.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 01/27/2024 - 20:18:01

Tommy Doane:
I was fortunate to go to Stockbridge Agricultural School in 1957, which was on the campus of UMASS Amherst. Tuition was $100 a semester. It was a two year school. I only got a Diploma back then, but was exposed to the various Friendly's in Western Mass. An Awful-Awful was a huge frappe, which was Awfully big and supposedly Awfully good. I think they considered it challenge if you could finish one. I never fell for the bait, as I wanted a good rare cheeseburger.
Like the ones that are served at the Cream and Cone in West Chatham. Hope they reopen!
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 01/27/2024 - 17:30:48

John & Richard: What are Awful-Awfuls?
Thomas Doane <tommydoane@comcast.net>
WEST CHATHAM, MA USA - Sat 01/27/2024 - 16:28:04

Really good burgers, square on toast and Awful-Awfuls. My family loved
Friendly's. I met the Blake brothers a long time ago. I think they started
in Wilbraham.
john whelan <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Fri 01/26/2024 - 18:13:18

Friendly's should have stuck to their original success story - good burgers, frappes and Awful-Awfuls. They got ahead of themselves by trying to expand the menu with a meager kitchen design, only set up for burgers and such , cooked quickly on a grille.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 01/26/2024 - 17:14:41

I loved going to breakfast at that H&K. I think I remember Mary working at Friendly's in Orleans. We used to go there on the way back to Chatham after baseball games.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/25/2024 - 18:18:20

I see J. Dubis and Sons from Chatham tearing down the Hearth and kettle in Orleans. That restaurant has been vacant for many years. We still miss it. One of our favorite servers was Mary Eldredge originally from Chatham.
The new tenant will be Chase Bank. Like there is a need for another bank in any Cape town?
When the former Chatham Trust Co. bank site is now vacant? Yes, I know they weren't the most recent tenant.
I had a passbook account in Chatham Trust when they were near the Brick Block in Downton Chatham. Still have some left.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 01/25/2024 - 17:53:14

As a former member of the Eastham CONSCOM, I would say they only have a concern about what happens to the resource area and the 100 foot buffer zone. Like, debris that could go in to the water, hazardous wastes, fluids, etc.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 01/24/2024 - 17:43:41

I successfully made Anadama Bread in our bread maker, and it tasted just like the bread from the former Haven's Meat Market in North Chatham. I was pleased as punch! Thank you, CHAT-M-Room, commenters! Today, I am trying a variation which adds oatmeal to the recipe. Can't wait to try it.
Carol <Carolann.conners@gmail.com>
Loleta, CA USA - Wed 01/24/2024 - 15:24:19

Question concerning process. Now that the Transfer Station bids have coming in over budget and in excess of Town Meeting approve amount, what is next?
dan young <danyoung97531@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 01/24/2024 - 07:57:57

Wouldn't the Conservation folks have to approve (the demolition) this since it's on the water? Maybe they did - but as usual it's suspect.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 01/23/2024 - 18:32:04

Unfortunately , money talks. I just hope that no laws are being circumvented.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 01/23/2024 - 17:54:11

Jared - Slowly ruining Chatham one house at a time. I hardly think that house needed any renovation. I'd like to know when he'll fix the eyesore he created on Bridge Street.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Tue 01/23/2024 - 17:50:27

If you take a trip down Shore Road, you'll see Dr. Aucoin's house has been leveled, courtesy of Dollar Bill. A house built in the 1980's and what some would consider of normal size. I can guess how much larger it's replacement will be.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 01/23/2024 - 17:32:15

Jim: If you have information that you think the government is withholding, then you are protected by "whistleblower laws".
Go for it !
The last time I drank with an Army officer,( a young drafted 1st LT) it was in Vietnam at the bar on the roof of our" quarters" in Rach Gia. Look it up. A wonderful fishing village.
We both agreed that we , the US, should not be in Vietnam.
I do not plan to accept your kind offer of a debate at the Squire.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 01/23/2024 - 17:13:10

Richard, I am 100% with you!!! I agree on the disinformation out there - especially when government leans on private entities to stifle, bury, or flat-out ban critical information.

How about this: I'll come up and you and I can debate this at the Squire a month before the election. We'll sell tickets and the benefits got to John H and various charities. I'm astounded at the lack of critical information from the media up here.

You're a philanthropic man with a wonderful heart. We'll have a lot of fun.
JimP
USA - Tue 01/23/2024 - 16:30:49

Jim P is also not alone.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 01/23/2024 - 13:49:54

Richard, you are not alone.
Judith Winters <notdc@comcast.net>
Harwich, MA USA - Tue 01/23/2024 - 11:41:31

Goodness knows I could respond to JimP, but I won't .
I will wait until we get much closer to Election time, maybe a week away, when I will fire my cannons.

At the risk of being excommunicated from this site, suffice it to say I am deeply concerned about the disinformation that is out there..
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 01/22/2024 - 17:26:01

No problem Jim! I know it can be hard.
Tony Murphy
USA - Mon 01/22/2024 - 11:30:17

Understood Tony.
JimP
USA - Sun 01/21/2024 - 22:02:45

The great thing about this chat room is that usually National politics is avoided
Tony Murphy
USA - Sun 01/21/2024 - 20:09:43

Exactly Richard. It is just that the Texas governor didn't ask for them all like you guys do up here. How many are you hosting?
JimP
USA - Sun 01/21/2024 - 19:20:30

For those who are from fishing families, this coming Wednesday at at the Provincetown Senior Center, there will be a showing of a documentary called "I Wanna Go Fishin" about the life of a fisherman from the 50's until the 70's. Free.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 01/21/2024 - 18:56:59

JimP: probably the same number as your Texas Governor.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 01/21/2024 - 17:23:26

Paying for illegals costs money. Texas shouldn't have to foot the bill for the Country.

How many has Governor Healy put in her mansion?
JimP
USA - Sun 01/21/2024 - 16:34:44

Another state-wide tax hike proposal on rentals, AGAIN, yet another 1% hike, up to the town, er, the town President, uh, I mean Manager, right? (Those who rent out their primary homes should be EXEMPT from ALL of this tax, but are not.)
Melissa R <ccblues@comcast.net>
Chatham , MA USA - Sun 01/21/2024 - 13:02:41

Did anyone see in the Chronicle the request by the Bikeways Committee for $89K to hire (yet) another consultant to figure out a design for 300' for a shared multipurpose path? What a ridiculous waste of money. We have enough employees that are paid well enough to figure this out without hiring more consultants. By the way - the request was buried at the bottom of the article talking about requests for CPA funding. $89,000 to study a design for 300' for the bike path. Let that sink in.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Fri 01/19/2024 - 19:40:37

Thank you Steve, Judy and Tony for telling me and everyone a bout the conditions at the dump! I am there several times a week for six months, so I should have been more aware of the working conditions etc. I even voted for it! Sometimes the summer people aren't nice or able to follow the rules from what I have observed. I apologize.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Rancho Mirage, CA USA - Fri 01/19/2024 - 19:04:03

Victoria, are you related to Nancy Chase, my high school classmate?
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Fri 01/19/2024 - 17:34:50

John, I thought the Town did or had plans to put a lien on the property when they started cleaning up he Debris away from the road.
Tony Murphy
USA - Fri 01/19/2024 - 09:02:03

Chicky Clark's auto salvage place was known as Midnight Auto Sales, where one could access the back of his lot from the former railroad right of way if I am not mistaken. I have used auto salvage yards (Blonders in Waterford, Ct ) where I paid to take the parts I needed from various vehicles but I never stole anything from the Clarks.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 01/18/2024 - 18:57:33

32 Mill Hill Road has been a rat infested hell hole for years. The town finally cleared the road of his trash and debris, then put up a barrier. None of these measures have stopped the pile from growing. He still regularly impedes traffic with vehicles. The fire department has been to the property at least once to put out a fire that was started overnight. The police have been called repeatedly, and he has been ticketed. There was also a fight in the street at 2:30 AM last year between two "guests " of the residence. The same problems happen down at the river on a regular basis. The town brought in the DEP to investigate further. I'm told they are still waiting on a report.
Victoria Chase <Viccichase0088@gmail.com>
South Chatham , MA USA - Thu 01/18/2024 - 18:52:57

Bill - Chris had told me this past summer there were folks interested in buying it. I see his brother there trying to clean it up. He's got quite the task ahead of him.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/18/2024 - 18:26:39

I wonder what will happen to Clarks property now that Chris passed away.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/18/2024 - 17:45:10

Hoarding is a very serious issue for Chatham and Eastham residents.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Thu 01/18/2024 - 17:30:12

Can anyone answer my question about the possibility of a lien on the property?
john whelan <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/18/2024 - 16:58:11

Debris all over you're yard can cause rodent infestation and drive down your neighbors property values. Not to mention that this particular person ran out of room on his own land and was starting to store junk in the road.
Tony Murphy
USA - Thu 01/18/2024 - 12:07:44

How does Mill Hill "mess" create a health hazard or how is it a danger to anyone. It is private property.
Cynthia Moore
South Chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/18/2024 - 08:24:53

Has anyone been watching the work being done at 552 Orleans Road, on Frost Fish Creek right next to Route 28? Steep embankment (a cliff, really) has been denuded of the trees and vegetation that previously stabilized it, and it is eroding into the marsh and creek. Recent high course tides and high winds have made it worse. I doubt that you or I could get away with that...
Bob F. <robertef45@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 01/17/2024 - 23:35:08

There are at least three similar sites in Eastham, where in one instance the owner has taken two lots and filled them with treasures from either the Eastham Swap Shop or the metal pile. And a two car garage. His car is filled to the brim with stuff he considers valuable. (He used to volunteer at the Swap Shop until the women volunteers kicked him out.) He has an Amazing amount of stuff. I could conduct a Treasure Tour of the sites here. I feel for the neighbors.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Wed 01/17/2024 - 17:36:21

I have wondered why Chatham puts up with the trash at Mill Hill Road. It has gone on for years after multiple complaints. The Board of Health must have the right to place a lien on the property if it is not cleaned up. Hard ball might
be the only way to get the mess cleared away.
john whelan <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Wed 01/17/2024 - 16:55:59

Steve - I would think the Town would also recognize the mess on Mill Hill Road they have been ignoring forever. There is no excuse for the garbage that continues to grow there and at the end of Barn Hill Road. This as well, would never be tolerated in North Chatham. One of the residents of Mill Hill Road spoke at a Board of Health Meeting and it just fell on deaf ears. This is what you get when you appoint and elect folks that can't or won't do their jobs.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 01/17/2024 - 15:04:34

Steve - Same with the disgusting mess on Mill Hill Road that residents of that road have to live with. It's interesting to see the "powers that be" ignore this stuff and it is more than disgusting. As you said, North Chatham would NEVER put up with this. One of the residents of Mill Hill Road said this at a meeting and he was absolutely correct. It fell on deaf ears.
JudyP
West Chatham, MA USA - Wed 01/17/2024 - 15:00:14

It is the towns duty to provide a safe non toxic transfer station. There is no reason why the town can not provide a facility that is on par with other facilities across the commonwealth that will operate unobtrusively and safely for the users, employees and the surrounding neighborhoods. You can bet that this "dump" would not be tolerated for a NewYork minute if it was located in North Chatham.
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Wed 01/17/2024 - 08:01:56

Richard, Iran was a cosmopolitan "western-style" country into the '70's. Very modern and wealthy. Moderate views. Jimmy Carter believed the CIA was way too powerful and he and Stansfield Turner gutted the Agency of its top 500 people during the early days of his presidency. This move gutted our intelligence capacity and predictability for years and we never saw the fundamentalist Islamic revolution under Khomenie grew in power and ultimately depose the Shah. We were also powerless to counter it.

That inevitably led to the massive rift in the region (Levant/Magreb) during which the Islamic schism started to break out into open warfare amongst the factions as to who will be the 12th (forget the Muslim term at the moment - but supreme Imam).

Remember, Islam literally means "Obey." They will not be happy until Israel and the Great Sataan (us) are removed from the earth). They believe it is their Allah-given duty.
JimP
USA - Tue 01/16/2024 - 21:38:05

Richard, they still are among some people.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Tue 01/16/2024 - 19:56:16

Gulls used to be called "dump ducks".
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 01/16/2024 - 17:18:43

When I was stationed at the Groton, CT. Submarine base in the late 1970's, there were Iranian Navy people being trained by our submarine force people. They were inside our subs!
Now, Iranians are our enemy. What went wrong? Should we not have engaged them in the first place? JimP might have some input.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 01/16/2024 - 17:05:51

I remember going to the dump with my mom in the late 60's, early 70's, when we used my dad's homemade trailer to take the 10+ barrels there. That was before plastic trash bags (at I remember,) were common. What a mess! I don't understand why now I can get all the trash from six cottages in back of my station wagon...And the dirt road thru the dump which was often moved was a challenge!
J Hallgren (as user)
Clearwater , FL USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 20:05:43

Steve the stench you talk about. I doubt it compares to the stench from the 80's. I lived on west pond road back then. Loved me some dump smell. Remember the seagulls at the dump, that was fun.

Actually I can't comment on the dump anymore as I don't bother going and just pay to have it picked up.
Bill P
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 19:01:45

Yes there are some old timers on this Room who can compose an entry that is relevant , even to the younger viewers. Charlie's daughter (one of several) Stella Robie was once a classmate of mine, but I don't know whatever happened to her.
I think Charlie Robie was what would be considered on welfare, but was being paid to do a job that most would not want.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 18:47:45

Richard, I had my flash light under 410 shotgun.
Wayne <alongshore2002@yahoo.com>
West Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 17:51:44

The Transfer Station is a far cry from the Dump that Charlie Robie oversaw in the 40's & maybe 50's, when rats ran rampant and his pigs ate the best of what they could find. We could go there at night with a flashlight strapped to a 22 rifle and shoot away.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 17:44:53

No problem Emily!! Many don't realize how awful it is until the winter. Time for the fix to be done and to hopefully clean it up and let the workers have a place they can be proud of.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 15:35:56

You know- I can't help being angry that folks are calling out tbe cost of fixing this place up - yet how many folks didn't have an issue with the funding for the Taj Mahal for a COA? This shows you just how out of touch our priorities are. Do those poor guys at the transfer station have a decent lunchroom? How about lockers? How about heat to warm up? They have to babysit taxpayers who continually throw pizza boxes and other disgusting crap into the wrong bins. It's time to make this a priority instead of wasting more time and money on a COA that has been voted down numerous times. The employees there deserve better than what they have been putting up with for years.
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 10:29:26

Judy and Steve are absolutely right the conditions at the transfer station are appalling and dangerous for the men who work there! The town employees at the transfer station are extremely friendly and helpful and deserve the kind of work environment that is safe!
Tony Murphy
USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 09:37:11

Emily, The redesign is not a "gussy up " issue. The station was put together in 1994 and has been piece mealed many times since then. There is no other town on the Cape that has such an outdated, unsafe, toxic, noisy and inefficient transfer station. The safety issues alone are appalling. There are no bollards in front of the tipping building to prevent a vehicle from driving or backing into a person dropping trash into the building. The floor of the building is a swamp where contaminated water sits and festers and drains to who knows where. The Cockle Cove aquifer runs right under the property. The stench from the building in the summertime gets blown on the SW wind right into the West Pond neighborhood and the board of Health does nothing about it. The noise from the loader is a near constant affront to any home in the area. Chatham's dirty secret
is the transfer station and the town officishould be ashamed.
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 08:46:25

Emily, The redesign is not a "gussy up " issue. The station was puttogether in 1994 and has been piece mealed many times since then. There is no other town on the Cape that has such an outdated, unsafe, toxic, noisy and inefficient transfer station. The safety issues alone are appealing. There are no bollards in front of the tipping building to prevent a vehicle from driving or backing into a person dropp8ng trash into the building. The floor of the building is a swamp where contaminated water sits and festers and drains to who knows where. The Cockle Cove aquifer runs right 7nder the property. The stench from the building in the summertime gets blown on the SW wind right into the West Pond neighborhood. The board of Health does nothing about it. Chatham's dirty secret
is the transfer station and the town officishould be ashamed.
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 08:43:31

I thought we approved the money for the ugrade a few years ago at Town Meeting? Why has this taken so long? And now - look at the price! Those poor guys that work there are the friendliest, most helpful folks - and they have been outside in the nasty weather forever. Now they have a shack they can escape the elements with a sheet of plastic hung over the door. The conditions are horrific for them. Wesson & Sampson know they have a goldmine here in this town. We never had to hire outside companies because employees did the work. Granted, there are some tasks they are needed for - but most likely not to the extent we are utilizing them. I think it's time the Town Manager 's decision are more closely scrutinized. For someone making over $200K per year, taxpayers deserve to know what the heck constitutes this outrageous expense.,
JudyP
W. Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/15/2024 - 07:31:07

Could someone please explain why the "transfer station" needs to be gussied up with a 3 million dollar building? I am appalled by the cavalier spending of this town.
Emily Cunningham <Dayonown@yahoo.com>
Rancho Mirage, CA USA - Sun 01/14/2024 - 18:11:49

Selectman Schell suggested that the low bidder provide his detailed estimate so the town can know where the increases came from. Not a chance that the contractor would provide that info. Not in a million years. Weston and Sampson created the estimate, they have some splaining to do
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Sun 01/14/2024 - 17:41:10

The transfer station bids were opened but the bidders were not identified. I'm going to request these documents that are public knowledge.
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Sun 01/14/2024 - 17:34:28

I now have the complete listings of all the Surfmen and Coast Guards men that ever served at any of the 13 Cape Cod LSS/USCG Stations. If you send me a name by email , I can determine where and when your man served. (There were no women, unfortunately.) Some men moved around, and did serve at different Stations.
I believe that Chatham and Nantucket were the only two towns in the US that had 4 USLSS Stations each. This is kind of special, as there were only about 260 Stations nationwide.
Richard R.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 01/13/2024 - 17:44:45

Saw the movie "The Boys In The Boat " this evening in Wellfleet. I think it is playing at the Orpheum as well. Beautifully done - highly recommend it. Based on a true story - like The Finest Hours.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 01/09/2024 - 19:43:50

Got one from Tony Murphy, my brother-in-law. Thanks to Tony and all others who tried to help.
john whelan <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Tue 01/09/2024 - 16:59:56

John, there is a '91-'92 listed on Ebay today.
Dick Fulcher <dick.marie@comcast.net>
Chatham MA 02633, MA USA - Tue 01/09/2024 - 07:52:05

Sylvia, 1991-1992---a small blue button with no year on it.
john whelan <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/08/2024 - 19:08:10

John, what was the first year they had the buttons? We have one 1992-1993.
Sylvia Fulcher <barsyl4041@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/08/2024 - 18:30:59

They (PFarm) must have dropped it, as it was not favorable or fair to women to quote "Anna, damn her." Tell me if I am wrong. The name supposedly came from a man's quote. We need to get by this kind of misogny.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Mon 01/08/2024 - 17:48:56

First Night Buttons-First Night Chatham has come and gone and I did my annual
inventory of First Night pins. I have 2 sets of every First Night pin except
the very first one. Only one of the original pin and I am trying to acquire
a second one. A number of pins to trade if anyone is interested. I have some Art
of Charity pins available also, plus some 80-years Chatham Band pins. I would
also be willing to purchase that first pin if reasonable.
john whelan <sockpirate44@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/08/2024 - 15:13:30

My very favorite Pepperidge Farm bread was cornmeal molasses which was discontinued years ago. Sounds like what Cynthia Moore mentioned.
Jill James <Theron1962@gmail.com>
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/08/2024 - 09:52:01

I had an Anadama bread recipe that was dark. It came from a bread machine book and contained cornmeal & molasses. Original Anadama was sold by Pepperidge Farm and was a lighter colored bread.
Cynthia Moore
South Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/08/2024 - 08:01:40

ANADAMA Bread was actually sold in wrapped packages in my memory. Not sure who the bakers were. The Internet has many references to it.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sun 01/07/2024 - 17:03:59

Seems to me it was similar to ANADAMA Bread.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Sat 01/06/2024 - 16:31:38

Patty Gyolai (Wescott) owns that recipe and still makes the bread (I believe). A couple of years ago she was taking bread orders on Facebook and there was a lot of interest.
Jared Fulcher
Chatham, MA USA - Sat 01/06/2024 - 16:05:21

Does anyone on CHAT-M-Room have the recipe for oatmeal bread that was made for sandwiches at the former Haven's Meat Market in North Chatham?

Happy New Year to All!
Carol
Loleta, CA USA - Sat 01/06/2024 - 12:54:49

Lonny did a water color painting of the two planes I trained in back in 1966.
Dick Fulcher <dick.marie@comcast.net>
Chatham MA 02633, MA USA - Fri 01/05/2024 - 07:25:13

I own Lonnys painting of the Model T and the J3 Cub flying over the beach and I also have a spectacular painting I had him do for one of my Dad's birthdays. It's a painting of a GeeBee flying around a pyl9n at the Bendix race.
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/04/2024 - 18:45:23

Steve, yes Lonnie did paint a picture of the Passion Wagon and it was sold at the yard sale at the airport this past fall.
Barry and Sylvia <barsyl4041@comcast.net>
Chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/04/2024 - 12:55:53

Did Lonny ever paint Passion Wagon?
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/04/2024 - 10:39:44

Great history of PassionWagon. https://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/who/case/104
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/04/2024 - 10:36:17

Richard, The longstanding goose rule is that the leader always has the biggest honker.
steve jesus <sjjesus21@gmail.com>
chatham, MA USA - Thu 01/04/2024 - 10:29:58

Driving by the ball park in Orleans this morning there was a HUGE flock of Canada Geese there, eating the grass. And providing fertilizer. I wonder who the lead goose is?
Does he or she decide where they go next? Or do they have a committee? Or a Select Board?
I rather think it is one old goose that sets the travel schedule. The rest are OK with being followers.
Richard R. <dickryder413@gmail.com>
Eastham, MA USA - Tue 01/02/2024 - 16:51:12

I was down Harding's Beach this morning and the duck hunters were digging 2 holes in the sand on shore not far from the 2nd parking lot. Too close for comfort IMHO.....Be careful ...HNY!
Josie
Chatham, MA USA - Mon 01/01/2024 - 13:42:38

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