TRURO — After three public work sessions totaling six hours of discussion, the select board moved closer on Dec. 12 to finalizing a list of goals for next year for […]
News
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ASSESSED VALUE
Eastham Board Will Reconsider Residential Tax Exemption
The optional state policy would shift more of tax burden onto seasonal houses
EASTHAM — At the select board’s last discussion of the residential tax exemption (RTE) in January 2024, the four members who were present were evenly split: Aimee Eckman and Jerry […]
STATE HOUSE
Arts Community Lobbies for State Legislation
With two weeks left, MassCreative has a win, a loss, and three bills in limbo
PROVINCETOWN — The arts advocacy group MassCreative had a shopping list of legislation it was promoting this year, including at an event at the Fine Arts Work Center on Oct. […]
GROWING WILD
Nap Time for a Fancy Fern
The local ferns in the Dryopteris genus all have feather-like fronds, but they can be differentiated by their varying degrees of frilliness. The compound leaves of D. marginalis, the marginal […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Dec. 17 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
RABBIT HOLES
A Rabbit Species That Once Was Lost Is Now Found
The rare New England cottontail persists, and maybe thrives, on the Outer Cape
WELLFLEET — For decades, the New England cottontail, a rare species of rabbit, appeared to be nearly wiped out here. But a new study has found evidence that these rabbits […]
MILLION-YEAR PICNIC
With Winter Comes the Hunter
Look to the constellation Orion for bright stars and newly formed ones, too
If there is one constellation that most people can identify, it’s Orion — the hunter. He strides boldly across the night sky, a club in one hand, a shield in […]
PROVINCETOWN: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Cannery Wharf Park
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Provincetown are held in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you want to attend on the calendar at provincetown-ma.gov for a […]
TRURO: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
New Acting Town Clerk
Meetings Ahead Meetings in Truro are often held remotely. Go to Truro-ma.gov and click on the meeting you are interested in for an agenda and details on how to join. Thursday, Dec. […]
WELLFLEET: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Three Unwise Men
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Wellfleet are in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you are interested in on the calendar at wellfleet-ma.gov for details. All […]
EASTHAM: THIS WEEK'S CURRENTS
Voting Changes
Meetings Ahead Most meetings in Eastham are in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you are interested in on the calendar at eastham-ma.gov for details. All […]
DERELICT
Condemned House Could Go Into Receivership Next Week
At Dec. 17 hearing, owner Robert Bonds is to show his progress on repairs
WELLFLEET — The owner of a sprawling house at 177 Peace Valley Road that has been abandoned for years and condemned since 2018 has been given a final chance to […]
REAL ESTATE
Stalled Collins Cove Agreement Leads to Lawsuit
Prospective buyer claims owners’ change of heart is a breach of contract
EASTHAM — Brewster businessman Gary Vecchione recently set up a social media page called Collins Cove Cottage Condos, where he announced that he plans to purchase the seven houses built […]
UNBANKED
$15-Million U.S. Grant for Stellwagen Visitor Center Is Canceled
Funds would have covered only some costs of the Provincetown facility
PROVINCETOWN — A yearslong effort to build a visitor center for the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary ended in October when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration […]
BUCK TAG
At the Deer-Check Station, Science and Tradition Cross Paths
For one week in shotgun season, state biologists examine every deer taken in the state
ORLEANS — In the long, flat twilight of a December afternoon, two pickup trucks rolled up to the rear entrance of the Goose Hummock Shop in Orleans a few minutes […]
