There is perhaps no thornier marine management issue for regulatory bodies on the Atlantic Coast than what to do about horseshoe crabs, which are harvested as bait for the whelk […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Recreational Boaters and the Unforgiving Sea
On the Outer Cape, when we’re on shore we’re already 25 miles out
This past week we all got a grim reminder of how unforgiving the sea can be, particularly with a small craft taken far offshore. A 17-foot boat was found upside-down […]
ON THE BEACH
In Praise of the Single Barbless Hook
When fewer fish are keepers, using the right lure matters more
The last time I used anything more than a single hook while fishing was a memorable mid-September day in 1978, when an enormous school of 15-pound bluefish cornered an even […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Circle Hooks Supported by Study on Why Catch-and-Release Fish Die
The stripers have reached Rhode Island, and the tautogs are here now
The northern fringe of the striped bass migration reached Rhode Island this past week, and if we continue to get this unseasonably warm weather the bass could be in our […]
MUNICIPAL PLANNING
VMCC Study Identifies New Housing Site in Parking Lot
Replacing parking spaces with housing looks easy, say Provincetown's consulting engineers
PROVINCETOWN — Engineers from the municipal contractor Weston & Sampson told the select board on March 27 that the town had three options for rebuilding the Veterans Memorial Community Center […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Right Whales Are in View From Shore at Herring Cove
Striped bass are migrating now, too, but it’s early to name an ETA
It looks like we’re finally getting the beautiful spring weather that towns inland have been enjoying for a week or two. We have been in an easterly fetch pattern, which […]
WALSH PROPERTY
Panel Agrees on 40,000 ‘Non-Residential’ Square Feet
Space for trade is at least twice what consultants brought to the table
TRURO — The Walsh Property Community Planning Committee was enthusiastic about allocating space for trade and other “non-residential” uses at its March 29 meeting, the group’s first in four weeks. […]
PLEAS
Fisherman Launches Petition Against Release of Pilgrim Water
Over 214,000 people ask Holtec to hold back
PLYMOUTH — Bourne resident Ryan Collins, whose father and grandfather were fishermen, continues the family tradition. He has now become an advocate as well. Collins has collected more than 214,000 […]
PROVINCETOWN BUSINESS
Hotel With 150-Year History Gets New Local Owner
The Gifford House Inn will remain a cornerstone of the town’s gay nightlife
PROVINCETOWN — The Gifford House Inn, a 33-room hotel in Provincetown’s historic district that includes three bars, a restaurant, and a commercial kitchen, has been sold by one local owner […]
ACCESSORY DWELLING
A Mother and Daughter Design for a Neighborly Future
An ADU can be a way for families to stay close across the generations
Sarah Manion has lived in a lot of places since leaving Cape Cod for college. After graduating from Swarthmore in 2007, she moved to Cameroon, where she served as a […]
HOUSING
Provincetown Wants Market-Rate Rentals at Shank Painter Site
To build without state money, the town will need a developer
PROVINCETOWN — For years now, Provincetown has planned to build housing at the site of the old police station at 26 Shank Painter Road. A vision of 24 studio and […]
WELLFLEET ACCOUNTS
2021 Town Audit Finds a Pack of Misstatements
‘Things are going to improve,’ says Administrator Rich Waldo
WELLFLEET — Nineteen months after Wellfleet was supposed to close its books on fiscal year 2021, the town finally received that year’s audit from Powers & Sullivan — and it […]
NEIGHBORHOODS
Neighbors Appeal Plan for Big House at Boat Meadow Marsh
Are large buildings ‘inevitable’ or should they fit in?
EASTHAM — Two abutters have appealed the planning board’s site plan approval of a new house that will overlook Boat Meadow marsh. At issue is the proposed house’s size: it […]
ON THE BEACH
Singin’ the Waiting-for-the-Striper-Run Blues
Striped bass are migrating earlier than ever, but they’ve made bigger transitions
I remember asking the old-timers when they thought the first spring stripers would appear. The answer was always the same: “Stripers show up when the lilacs start blooming.” My fishing […]
DEVELOPMENT
Eastham Will Vote on Limit for House Sizes
Proposed bylaw would link size limit to the area of the lot
EASTHAM — The race to build mansions by the sea has come to Eastham. But more than three-fourths of the houses here are still under 2,000 square feet, and the […]
