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☀ Cape Bridge Tolls? Not Happening

☀ Cape Bridge Tolls? Not Happening

Plus: The best Indian food on the Cape

Cape Coddah
May 02, 2025

Together with:

Good morning Cape Cod. This is the Cape Coddah, the newsletter that’s easier to consume than that treat you promised yourself you wouldn’t eat until later.

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

Nipping the nips
Saving the herring
Events and live music

Let’s get to it.

CAPE DIGEST

💵 Gov Rejects Cape Bridge Tolls Proposal

Transportation suits and Governor Healey firmly rejected tolls on the Cape bridges after Mashpee Select Board Vice Chairman David Weeden suggested using congestion pricing to raise "tens of millions" for environmental projects. Weeden proposed charging out-of-region motorists to address tourism impacts, arguing that while Massachusetts benefits from Cape tourism, locals get stuck "dealing with what they leave behind."

But the idea got shot down fast. MassDOT said tolls "are not being considered," while Healey emphasized renovating the 90-year-old structures without tolls. State Rep. Steven Xiarhos called tolls "a tax" that working families can't afford. The feds are still working on replacing both bridges, with $1.7B secured toward the estimated $4.5B project. Read the full story.

🚒 Fire District Eyes $35M for New Building

Barnstable voters will decide on May 14 whether to spend $35.2M to build a new fire station at 1841 Phinney's Lane. The current 1935 station has outgrown its space and lacks modern safety standards, with insufficient room for gear separation and ADA accessibility.

Chief Chris Beal says the district needs to prepare for growing call volumes, especially with over 1,000 apartments planned for the nearby industrial park area. The new location would maintain 6-8 minute response times across the district.

If approved, property taxes would increase about $0.40 per $1,000 assessed value in the first year. The project includes temporary water department relocation, with a permanent solution to be voted on later. Read the full story.

@THECAPECODDAH

📸 @tbradlee | 📍 Mayflower Beach

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📄 Teen Finds Polluted Herring, Sparks Legal Movement

After 17-year-old Isaiah Peters discovered polluted herring with sickly, discolored roe, Mashpee Wampanoag youth are pushing for Rights of Nature legislation to protect this culturally vital fish. Peters' find sparked a movement where teens partnered with educator Talia Landry to draft legal protections granting herring the same rights as individuals.

The Tribe already passed a state of emergency resolution, and a full ordinance is now being considered. This would make Mashpee Wampanoag one of the first governments to legally advocate for a fish species, following similar approaches by other tribes. With herring populations declining from pollution, dams, and cyanobacteria in connected waters, these young environmental ambassadors say protecting herring's rights aligns with traditional Wampanoag values. Read the full story.

AROUND THE CAPE

Controlled burn at Joint Base Cape Cod spread beyond boundaries due to wind, burning over 150 acres Thursday before being contained.

Chatham has implemented mandatory two-day-per-week outdoor watering restrictions due to ongoing drought conditions.

A24 is casting kitchen staff for "Tony," a film about young Anthony Bourdain, filming in Provincetown May through July.

Chatham Airport considers $250 landing fees for charter planes and $500 nighttime surcharges to reduce large aircraft traffic and noise.

LOCAL BUSINESS

🍴 This Cape Indian Joint Is Worth the Drive

A Redditor recently posed the question in r/CapeCod as to where to get the best Indian food on the Cape. Keshar, tucked inside the Best Western Hotel in West Yarmouth was the favorite.

The menu hits all the classics - Chicken Tikka Masala, tandoori wings, lamb chops, and killer samosas. Plant-based eaters get plenty of love with dishes like yellow dal, aloo gobhi, and channa masala. The butter naan gets rave reviews for being fresh and soft.

Yes, it's pricey, but what isn’t. Some folks grumble about costs, while others say it's "worth every penny." The vegetarian and vegan options get high marks for being authentic and clearly marked. They're closed Tuesdays, open 12-9 PM other days. You can dine in or order through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or GrubHub.

THE ISLANDS

Nantucket's community eel tracking project finds glass eels everywhere they look.

Netflix series "Forever," based on Judy Blume's novel and partially filmed on MV last spring, will be released May 8.

A historic 1870s lifesaving station in Surfside received a major restoration by local craftsman Hollis Webb.

"Jaws" behind-the-scenes play "The Shark is Broken" opens at North Shore Music Theater May 2, heading to Martha's Vineyard July 5.

Chilmark voters approved restrictions on leaf blowers that only apply to commercial contractors.

🫙 THE TIP JAR

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CIVIL NEWS

⚖️ Jury Convicts 59-Year-Old in Rape Case

A Barnstable jury convicted 59-year-old Peter Eastman of rape on April 30 following a reported September 2023 assault at his business, Howard Boats. After deliberating for three hours following a four-day trial, the jury reached its verdict, and Eastman is currently held without bail pending May 15 sentencing.

He faces several additional charges in both Superior and District Court, including assault with a dangerous weapon, firearms possession, and violating restraining orders, involving a different victim. District Attorney Galibois commended the victim's courage in testifying and the Barnstable Police Department's investigation. Read the full story.

PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Tucker
🐾 Yorkshire Terrier
🎂 8 months old
♀︎ Male
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

FRIDAY

Writing Workshop @ Wellfleet Pres. | 10:30 AM
Monotype Printmaking @ Highfield Hall | 2 PM
Legends on Canvas @ Cult. Cent. of CC | 5 PM
A Spring Fling @ The 204 | 5 PM

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

CODCon! @ Hyannis Library | 10 AM
Touch-A-Truck @ Wellfleet Drive-In | 10 AM
Blessing of the Bikes @ W. Dennis Beach | 12 PM
Wing-A-Thon @ The Courtyard Restaurant | 12 PM

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

SUNDAY

Bart Weisman Jazz @ Bleu Restaurant | 12 PM
CC Chamber Orchestra @ Pilgrim Congregational | 2:15 PM
Mike Garavan @ The Barley Neck | 2:30 PM
All Worn Out Jug Band @ W. Falmouth Library | 4

_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.}

WEATHER

Friday

64 🌡️ 53 | ⛅️ | 💧49% | 💨 SSW 16 mph

Saturday

67 🌡️ 55 | ☁️ | 💧 43% | 💨 SSW 12 mph

Sunday

66🌡️ 53 | 🌧️ | 💧 84% | 💨 SSW 9 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 47.5ºF

HOME OF THE WEEK

6 Sheep Pasture Way, E. Sandwich
Asking $875K
3 🛌
2.5 🛀
1,989 square feet 
0.7 acre lot

_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.}

THANKS!

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