Editor:

Thanks to everyone who helped make the South Chatham Village Association's Adult Spelling Bee fundraiser a success. Members of the audience cheered on teams from Candy Manor, The Chronicle, the South Chatham Public Library and Hansen Business Solutions as they competed in many rounds of often challenging words. Certainly a shout out to Steven and Lynn from the Chatham VFW who went out of their way to be sure our event was carried off without a glitch. So much fun — this could definitely become an annual event!

Carol Gordon, president
South Chatham VIllage Association

Editor:

Nearly everyone in Orleans and Brewster knows about the Community of Jesus and what goes on there. Shawn DeLude asked two questions to the select board of Orleans: "First, is the town aware of the serious allegations and legal complaints that have been raised regarding the Community of Jesus? Second, what steps, if any, are being taken by the town or the appropriate authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals, particularly children, who may be living within the community?"

DeLude, once a member of the Community of Jesus until he left at 15, is asking the larger questions. He is asking why nothing has been done, i.e., is the town aware? And, if we are, then what steps are being taken to make sure those who need our protection, especially children, get it. And let me ask again what DeLude also asked, because I'm baffled: who are the appropriate authorities that should take on these problems of child abuse and trafficking at the Community of Jesus?

Town Manager Kim Newman says it's not within the select board's purview to take direct action toward the Community of Jesus regarding DeLude's allegations. Is it also not within her purview to direct Mr. DeLude toward someone who could help? We do have police in Orleans. We do have detectives. They have authority. They can get warrants. They can do the right thing. This helplessness the town of Orleans exhibits is criminal. We should all be disturbed.

Constance Compana
Orleans

Editor:

To all town voters, I would like to say that I am strongly supporting Randi Potash for the Chatham Select Board. Having worked with her for years on our zoning board, I know Randi to always do her homework on every issue. She is smart, hard working and always committed to finding the right solution for our town. Randi Potash is absolutely the right person for the job!

Buck Upson
Chatham

Editor:

I read the opinions of Ms. Judy Patterson in the March 19 edition of The Chronicle with mixed emotions — amusement and sadness. She severely criticized Chatham for its lack of an overnight warming center leaving its “senior citizens to freeze in their homes.” Isn’t that rich? 

Just over two years ago Ms. Patterson was one of the loudest and most implacable opponents of the proposal to construct a new Center For Active Living at 1610 Main St. That facility would have qualified as an emergency evacuation center (aka overnight warming facility) with a capacity to accommodate as many as some 75 local residents (and their pets). Town Meeting failed to get the two-thirds vote needed to approve the project by a single vote — twice. Presumably that one vote was Ms. Patterson’s. 

It’s always easy to complain, criticize and oppose from the cheap seats, but getting what you want (or need) requires supporting and paying for it. I note parenthetically that Ms. Patterson got another of her facts wrong. From 2011 when Ms. Goldsmith became town manager to the present, Chatham’s population has not declined as she claims. Indeed, it has increased by approximately 10 percent, most likely as a result of pandemic-era migration.

Mike Schell 
Chatham

Editor:

Bravo for your editorial in support of Elizabeth Harder. As a resident of Harwich, I was appalled by her treatment. Your editorial made all the relevant legal points but I will also add how the whole situation smacks of sexism, too. We must always allow even those we disagree with to have their say or American democracy will disappear. It makes me wonder what the select board was so afraid of that they wouldn’t even let Ms. Harder speak. We must remember above all, she is a citizen of Harwich and has freedom of speech. No one should ever be denied that.

Linda Heinsen
Harwich

Editor:

The Brewster Conservation Trust’s and Brewster Pond Coalition’s continued vocal opposition to housing on the Pond Parcel made me (and others with whom I have spoken) think that there is little or no housing in Zone 2 in Brewster and that there is no long established legal permission for housing in Zone 2.

To the contrary, in Zone 2 in Brewster, there are 1,060 housing units on 1,116 parcels and an additional 291 undeveloped parcels on which housing could be constructed. This information is from the 2025 Integrated Water Resources Management Plan (IWRMP)/Public Water Supply Section, Jan. 2.

State law has never prohibited housing in Zone 2. Brewster law has permitted housing in Zone 2 since the 1980s, subject to detailed environmental requirements. Both recognize that permitting housing in Zone 2 promotes the public common good. 

Any potential future housing on the pond parcel (if feasible and if approved by the town) would comply with the stringent applicable environmental requirements and promote the public common good of affordable housing for local teachers, fireman, police, town employees and other local workers critical for our quality of life. The Brewster Spring Rock affordable housing exceeds the applicable environmental requirements with I/A septic rather than a standard Title 5 septic. Any pond parcel housing will meet or exceed the applicable environmental requirements.

Long established laws permit, and the public common good supports, choosing housing for the pond parcel (and for me is the moral choice). 

Tim Hackert
Brewster

Editor:

I am writing in support of Randi Potash as a select board member in Chatham. Her vocation, experience as a Chatham committee member as evidenced by her leadership and collaboration, and perspective makes her the ideal candidate.

Randi is an accomplished attorney with a demonstrated history of successfully working in her law practice. As an attorney she has a keen knowledge of legal issues and knows the importance of effective communication which would facilitate an understanding of many issues which face our community. She has been a member of Cape Mediation, a leader in dispute resolution for the past 12 years, and is now a director. While there she has helped start the court conciliation program, which offers a free service which settles disputes and avoids trials. Her keen judgement and intellect is a key reason as a Chatham delegate to the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates that she has been voted speaker.

Randi has actively participated in multiple Chatham town committees over the last decade. As chair of the zoning board of appeals she worked on a complex housing proposal, collaborated on how to improve and made sure the progress was transparent. As vice chair of the human resources committee, she produced a report for the select board supporting two fulltime mental health counselors for Chatham. Her volunteer experience includes the bikeways committee as well as volunteering to First Night Chatham.

Randi would come into the select board not with a hardened agenda, but with an enlightened perspective. She understands how critical our Monomoy Regional School District is and will ensure that we preserve the value of our schools. With her experience as a member of the ZBA , she understands the importance of housing, that we need to identify the right sites and prioritize housing for the people who keep Chatham running such as teachers, public safety and healthcare workers.

Randi will listen, ask tough questions and make sure that all residents of Chatham are heard. Her experience, knowledge, commitment and abilities she brings are exactly what we need for a select board member to represent all of us in Chatham.

Brad Schiff
North Chatham

Editor:

Over the past several years, as more of our local media has come under off-Cape corporate ownership, it has become increasingly difficult to stay informed. With the loss of many weekly papers and a steady reduction in local coverage in our daily newspaper, people are finding it harder to keep up with news and events.

Fortunately, on the Lower and Outer Cape, we are still served by vibrant local weekly newspapers — supported by readers and advertisers — that cover town matters, the arts, high school sports and community life.

We are also fortunate to have community-supported radio. WCAI in Falmouth and WOMR in Provincetown both provide extensive Cape coverage. WCAI focuses primarily on news and information, while WOMR offers a mix of music, culture and community programming. Until recently, both stations received federal support as part of their public service mission. While that support has been withdrawn, both stations continue to serve their communities — and have been heartened by the strong response from local listeners.

Recent severe weather also reminded us how vulnerable this kind of local infrastructure can be. When challenges arise — whether financial or physical — it is local commitment that keeps these services going.

Community media remains a vital resource for the Cape, connecting residents to one another and to the place we share. It’s something worth paying attention to, supporting and taking pride in.

Ed McManus
WOMR Community Advisory Board 

Editor:

Select board members delve into all areas of town government and make decisions based upon their wide range of knowledge in these areas. The ideal candidate for select board will have diverse volunteer experience on multiple town committees. Bruce Semple's experiences include: board member of Brewster Ponds Coalition, vice chair of the energy and climate action committee, and president of his local homeowners' association, volunteer for the recycling commission, Beautify Brewster, Brewster Ladies’ Library and Habitat for Humanity. This volunteer experience in addition to his 42-year career as a solutions architect at IBM makes him a strong candidate for the select board. 

Another quality of a select board candidate is getting along with others. I had the pleasure of getting to know Bruce while participating in the Civics Academy this past fall. His pleasant personality and thoughtful questions were an asset to the academy. Bruce’s diverse volunteer experience and ability to work in a group make him an ideal candidate for Brewster Select Board.

Nancy Ortiz
Brewster

Editor:

I am writing regarding the proposed creation of an assistant council on aging director position in Orleans.

While I understand this is a citizen petition and may not reflect the official position of town leadership, it is important that residents fully understand the implications of what is being proposed.

According to the town of Orleans annual reports from 2016 through 2024, participation in senior center services has remained relatively flat, averaging approximately 1,179 residents annually and not exceeding pre-pandemic levels in a meaningful way. 

In 2016–2017, the town added a program coordinator position to enhance services — an expansion to the operating budget. Since then, staffing has continued to evolve, including the rebranding of the office clerk manager to an assistant to the director role. Given this, the question is straightforward: why is yet another administrative position necessary?

This proposal could add up to $100,000 in ongoing annual costs at a time when the town is facing significant capital needs and potential overrides. Expanding administrative overhead without clear evidence of increased demand or improved outcomes is not responsible financial stewardship.

This is not about opposing services for seniors — it is about accountability. Based on the data and current staffing levels, there is no compelling case for this position at this time.

Residents deserve to have this context before being asked to support additional spending.

Kathleen Anderson
Harwich

Editor:

The great majority of Chatham voters and taxpayers support affordable housing in Chatham. What they do not support are large apartment complexes ubiquitous to Boston and its suburbs. 

The state’s 40B law was designed to overcome local zoning bylaws that discourage affordable housing but it makes no distinction between dense urban areas and more rural areas. Thus, 40B works well to address affordable housing shortages in Boston and other densely populated areas but it does not work at all on Cape Cod.

Large national developers who come to the Cape to develop affordable housing are more interested in their bottom line than they are in preserving the character of the towns in which they build. They know that 40B allows them the same development freedom on the Cape as it does in Boston. These developers also know they have a two-to-one advantage if a town appeals a developer’s undesirable project to the state. 

One such developer claims it is uneconomic to build fewer than 60 affordable units on any site. In Boston, typical affordable housing density ranges between 60 (low-rise) to 300-plus (high-rise) units per acre. On a one acre Chatham site, 60 units is unthinkable. Even on a three-acre site, 60 units is 20 units per acre, or almost twice the 12 units per acre allowed by the planning board’s proposed West Chatham zoning bylaw amendment that failed at 2025 town meeting by just 11 votes.

Voters apparently did not understand that bylaw amendment and similar ones for other Chatham village centers are effectively “Chatham 40Bs” and could displace the state’s 40B as a more town-compatible and town-controlled way to provide affordable housing. 

We encourage the planning board to resubmit its bylaw amendment at the next available town meeting and all town officials to publicly voice their support for its adoption.

Rick Leavitt
Chatham
George Myers
Venice, Fla.

Editor:

For the years that I have known and worked with Randi Potash, she has been enthusiastically committed to the future of Chatham. Activities include serving on several local committees such as being a First Night volunteer, participating on the bikeways committee and holding the position of vice chair of the human services committee. Randi is a member of and also served as chair of the Chatham Zoning Board of Appeals, participating in and leading the board through a lengthy process of approving 48 units of affordable and attainable housing. At the county level, Randi held several leadership roles as the town’s delegate to the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates representing Chatham.

Randi has the ability to listen to all input and perform the necessary research about a particular topic without prejudice before formulating an opinion. This approach promotes collaboration with citizens and other town boards in making important decisions that shape Chatham’s future. 

Randi Potash has the energy and experience to support all Chatham residents, regardless of the neighborhood they live in, and is committed to her vision of “One Chatham.” She strives for equitable benefits for the entire Chatham community. 

Steve DeBoer
West Chatham

Editor:

As we get on in our years, we reflect on times, places and people in our lives that have stayed with us and left an indelible mark on our hearts. With the recent passing of our friend, Bette Hahner, we will remember her many activities as an amazing volunteer for the Chatham community. That she was chosen as the Grand Marshal in the 2025 July Fourth parade speaks volumes to her volunteerism.

I want to speak to my personal friendship with Bette as a board member for the Friends of the Eldredge Public Library. At my very first meeting, we “clicked” and soon thereafter co-chaired the membership committee together. From there, a core group of individuals oversaw such events as Pumpkin People in the Park, Books in Bloom, Friends Tea, staff/trustee appreciation brunch, holiday decor and so much more to support our library. Bette had that magic touch with floral arranging, charcuterie boards (one of a kind!) and overall talent in helping to make our displays inviting. She always amazed me as we put together centerpieces, pumpkins, food platters or holiday decorations. With her husband Jeff’s help, we also made the graphic designs for the Friends letters, cards and invitations more inviting and professional.

Bette and I did many a road trip to find the best bargains for our events and always laughed when seeing who’d come closest to guessing the final total cost — always amazing how much we could get for so little at the Dollar Store and other places. I learned so much from her. We were a team!

Right to the end, Bette was in charge. She made it easy for us to visit or email her over this past month as she was matter-of-fact about her prognosis and her decisions. That she left us so quickly is heartbreaking. But, knowing Bette, she would say she had a good life and good friends, and few regrets. I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I learned so much from her. We worked hard. We worked well together. We had fun! We were friends. I will miss her.

Joan Craig
West Chatham

Editor:

I have known Randi Potash for several years. As chair of the zoning board of appeals, Randi is organized, well-prepared and respectful in running hearings. She is able to listen to different perspectives and guide balanced and productive discussions.

It is clear that she approaches leadership with thoughtfulness and a strong sense of responsibility. She has earned the respect of those she works with and I believe she will bring that same steady, collaborative approach to the select board. I strongly support her candidacy.

John Goheen
Chatham

Editor:

I was glad to see last week's editorial “The Harder Choice.” 

At a time when we see incivility at every political level, I welcomed The Chronicle’s call for courteous disagreement in public forums.

Like many others, I believe Ms Harder has disregarded town residents’ wishes in her ardent support of dense affordable developments and a transfer tax to fund more of them. All the same, it was upsetting to see her rudely treated at last week’s select board meeting.

Paula Myles
North Harwich

Editor:

My husband and I support Randi Potash’s election to the town of Chatham Select Board. Randi is committed to making our community better for everyone. Since relocating to Chatham in 2014, she has demonstrated a consistent and earnest interest in community service. She is passionate and hardworking and through years of experience in many aspects of our legal system, she is one who always listens and is thoughtful about all sides of the issues at hand before weighing in with a decision. Randi would be an excellent addition to the select board.

Cynthia and Harry Goldberg
North Chatham

Editor:

I take no pleasure in keeping this situation front and center. I must, however, correct the record regarding The Chronicles editorial on March 26, concerning Elizabeth Harder's resignation. The Chronicle states, “She was asked last week by Select Board member Jeffrey Handler to resign from her position as the town's representative to the Barnstable Assembly of Delegates based on her stance on the proposed countywide real estate transfer tax.” While I can understand how The Chronicle would come to that conclusion, it is inaccurate. 

I requested Mrs. Harder to resign, not because of her stance on the real estate tax, but because of a pattern of troubling behavior over several years that has led many in Harwich, whom I represent, to question her suitability as their representative.

The most recent incident occurred during the March 16 select board meeting, when she engaged with the chair of the select board and was deemed out of order and told to sit down, engaged aggressively with a nonresident after the agenda item, and used an expletive that many in the audience could hear. The onsite cameras could see and hear most of it; some of this action was not visible unless one was in attendance. It was at that moment that I reached my limit and called for her resignation. 

The role of a delegate is to represent the town's interests in regional matters, not the delegate's personal feelings or initiatives. Mrs. Harder would have no way of knowing whether the voters in Harwich supported the real estate transfer tax, as she never formally asked the select board or the public she represents. Mrs. Harder’s "stance" on the tax has nothing to do with my request for her resignation; my request is not due to a difference of opinion. We are here today because of a long history of choices, actions and behaviors. Harwich has standards and expectations for its elected officials; there is a clear pattern here that needs to be addressed. 

Jeffrey Handler
Harwich Select Board member