Fetched: December 31st, 2008, 3:00pm EST
Fifty-two issues and hundreds of headlines later, here are the stories that seemed to matter most on the Lower Cape in 2008.
BREWSTER
WHAT Oct. 20, Maguire group recommends spending $11.4 million on a new fire station as better alternative than renovating the old building.
WHAT HAPPENED By a 3-2 vote Nov. 10, the board of selectmen vote to postpone any action on the fire station until next year and not to ask for $280,000 for a partial design study at the town meeting. The board is concerned about next year’s economy.
SIGNIFICANCE Brewster current station is inadequate for the required services, equipment is left outside and access to all the equipment is slowed.
WHAT Long-running debate on rules for sand and gravel mining in Brewster near watershed areas.
WHAT HAPPENED New rules denied by planning board, revived and submitted to November Town Meeting via citizens petition led by Peter Johnson of Brewster Conservation Trust and passed after debate at town meeting.
SIGNIFICANCE A concerted effort was made to balance water protection and safety with economic concerns and allowing businesses to continue to operate off Freeman’s Way.
CHATHAM
WHAT Oct. 18-19: A break in North Beach, Chatham.
WHAT HAPPENED A nor’easter erodes 75 to 100 feet of shoreline.
SIGNIFICANCE Shoreline erosion perils camps. In two years, seven camps have succumbed to the sea or have been demolished by owners. The camps are considered a historic part of Cape Cod.
EASTHAM
WHAT Eastham Ocean Beach proposal comes for vote at May town meeting.
WHAT HAPPENED Voters reject, 502-476.
SIGNIFICANCE Under a settlement, opponents to the beach proposal agreed to drop their appeal of Cape Cod Commission’s approval of the project if voters approved the conservation restriction for the 252-space parking lot and stairway to the beach. As a result of the vote, the project died.
HARWICH
WHAT Truck spills 10,000 gallons of fuel on Great Western Road, Harwich, on May 14.
SIGNIFICANCE Spill was near watershed area, creating a potential environmental disaster.
WHAT HAPPENED Public safety officials arrived on site early and cranberry grower Raymond “Linc” Thacher and his son, Ray Thacher Jr., who run bogs nearby, created a berm that kept the vast majority of oil away from the watershed.
Massive cleanup followed, including removal of contaminated soil.
WHAT Harwich Cranberry Festival canceled.
WHAT HAPPENED: Declining revenues and poor weather.
SIGNIFICANCE Loss of a 30-year-old town tradition that included a parade, crafts fair and fireworks. Proceeds fund programs for Harwich students. Committee intends to continue scholarship program.
ORLEANS
WHAT Orleans wastewater plans move forward
WHAT HAPPENED Voters at special town meeting in October approve the draft wastewater management plan giving a big boost to the eventual construction of a sewer system in Orleans.
SIGNIFICANCE Orleans takes major step toward reducing pollution to its waterways, according to supporters, but questions remain about cost and need.
WHAT Proposal for new police station fails to pass town meeting.
WHAT HAPPENED For the second time town meeting voters shot down moving ahead on a new police station, citing cost as the main reason.
SIGNIFICANCE Police department has to remain in facility they consider too small and inadequate.
PROVINCETOWN
WHAT Years of neglect and mismanaged repairs had damaged Provincetown Town Hall to the point where it was considered no longer safe.
WHAT HAPPENED Town meeting agrees to spend $2 million to fix the exterior and pay for design plans. May 2009 town meeting will be asked to allocate more.
SIGNIFICANCE Approximately 40 town hall workers had to move into new quarters in mobile trailers.
TRURO
WHAT Longtime Truro Fire Department Chief Thomas E. “Punch” Prada resigns in February.
WHAT HAPPENED Prada, who was to retire later in the year when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 65, suddenly resigned following an alleged indecent assault incident at the police station. He was later charged with a misdemeanor.
SIGNIFICANCE Replacing Prada, a 50-year veteran, and all the inspections and administration he took care of wasn’t easy. Brian Davis, a 40-year veteran of the department, was elected chief engineer.
WELLFLEET
WHAT Plans for trophy home in Cape Cod National Seashore in Wellfleet create a stir.
WHAT HAPPENED After a proposal to demolish “Billboard House” in Cape Cod National Seashore and replace it with a much larger house, residents and town officials call for tighter zoning bylaws. Revisions approved by October special town meeting.
SIGNIFICANCE There are still lots in town where zoning permits such structures to be built, so more zoning changes could be ahead this spring.
