Harwich meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Harwich agendas: $17.7M sewer borrowing, 19 CPA requests, charter hearing

Harwich boards and committees met between Oct. 13 and Oct. 22 on agendas that included two proposed sewer borrowings totaling $17,704,283, 19 Community Preservation Act funding requests, and a public hearing on a draft town charter. Minutes for these meetings have not been published, so no votes or outcomes are recorded here. What follows is what each body listed for consideration.

Select Board: sewer loans and Transfer Station fees

On Oct. 19 the Select Board was scheduled to hold a public hearing on Transfer Station fee increases and to take up proposed borrowings of $1,019,598 and $16,684,685 from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust for the Route 28 Sewer Project and the Great Sand Lakes Sewer Extension. The agenda also listed a Hawkers & Peddlers license for Pilgrim Lodge A.F & A.M. to sell Christmas trees at 9 Sisson Road, a one-day liquor license application for My Cousins Wine, LLC at 204 Sisson Road, and discussion of Charter Commission proposed changes.

Community Preservation: 19 funding requests

The Community Preservation Committee met Oct. 15 to hear presentations from applicants seeking 2026-2027 CPA funding, with 19 applications listed, and was scheduled to vote on rescinding open balances from three completed projects. Requests included $350,000 for the Brooks Academy Cupola Restoration & Roof Repair Project, $200,000 for the Herring River Marsh View Project Phase One (Acquisition), $200,000 for Phase Two (Boardwalk), $150,000 for the Six Ponds-Hawksnest Woodlands Land Protection Project, and $128,100 for the Harwich Police Soccer Club Street Soccer Pitch Project.

Charter Commission

The Charter Commission met Oct. 15 to discuss the draft charter, with possible votes, and to review a response from the Attorney General's Office. It then held a public hearing on Oct. 22 on the approved draft of the Town of Harwich Charter. According to the notice, residents may provide written comments to Town Hall or speak at the hearing.

Development and land

The Planning Board met Oct. 13 on a continued public hearing for a special permit for a 38,403 square foot wholesale landscaping supply yard at 246 Queen Anne Road, and an endorsement to merge three lots at the same address. The Conservation Commission met Oct. 21 for hearings on demolition of the Snow Inn and Channel House for a new hotel at 23 Snow Inn Rd and a proposed 1.5-acre Shellfish Aquaculture License Site in Pleasant Bay. The Zoning Board of Appeals met Oct. 15 to vote on appointing a representative to the Zoning Task Force.

Housing, health, cemetery and golf

The Harwich Affordable Housing Trust met Oct. 19 on a $650,000 CPC application request and a vote to approve an RFP for 0 Oak Street. The Board of Health met Oct. 20 on a nitrogen-related Title 5 deed restriction release at 66 Cemetery Rd and a variance request at 37 Bank St. The Cemetery Commission met Oct. 15 on deeds for Island Pond Cemetery plots totaling $7,000.00 and bills including TW. Nickerson ($264.50). The Golf Committee held a public hearing Oct. 20 on 2027 rates and fees, with a possible vote.

Coming up

• **Oct. 26 — Select Board:** contract with Bear Communications, Inc. for Public Safety Building upgrades, $223,408.54; a recommendation to increase private plow rates; first quarter Fiscal Year 2027 budget review; appointments to the Community Preservation Committee, Bikeways Committee and Board of Health.
• **Oct. 26 — Harwich Housing Authority:** review of the advertisement for the Executive Director position and a possible vote on a selection committee including Chatham Housing Authority members.
• **Oct. 27 — Planning Board:** site visit at 650 Depot Street for a proposed panhandle subdivision, and a continued hearing on 1039 Route 28, where the Harwich Conservation Trust proposes expanding a 5,146 sq ft residence to 9,870 sq ft with 38 parking spaces.
• **Oct. 28 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** five hearings on variance and special permit requests, plus a vote on 2027 filing deadlines and hearing schedule. **Capital Outlay Committee** meets the same day on a draft Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan for Fiscal Years 2028-2032.
• **Oct. 29 — Charter Commission:** review of public hearing and Select Board comments, with possible votes on updates to the 8/27/2026 draft charter and report.

Harwich agendas: $17.7M sewer borrowing, 19 CPA requests, water contracts — but no minutes yet posted

Harwich boards posted agendas over the past two weeks covering sewer borrowing, water system contracts, conservation restrictions and a draft town charter. None of the corresponding minutes have been published, so the record does not yet show what, if anything, was decided at those meetings. The largest dollar item now before a town body is a pair of proposed sewer borrowings scheduled for the Select Board on Monday, October 19.

Select Board: two proposed borrowings totaling just over $17.7 million

The October 19 Select Board agenda lists proposed borrowings of $1,019,598 and $16,684,685 from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust for the Route 28 Sewer Project and the Great Sand Lakes Sewer Extension. The same meeting includes a public hearing on Transfer Station fee increases, a Hawkers & Peddlers license for Pilgrim Lodge A.F & A.M. to sell Christmas trees at 9 Sisson Road, a one-day liquor license application for My Cousins Wine, LLC at 204 Sisson Road, and discussion of Charter Commission proposed changes. These are agenda items; the board has not acted on them in the published record.

At its October 5 meeting, the board was scheduled to discuss and vote on the Fiscal Year 2028 Draft Budget Message and to vote to accept, close and sign the 2026 State Election warrant.

Community Preservation: 19 applications, five requests itemized

The Community Preservation Committee meets October 15 to hear presentations from applicants seeking 2026-2027 CPA funding — the agenda summary lists 19 applications — and to vote on rescinding open balances from three completed projects. Five requests appear in the posted data: Brooks Academy Cupola Restoration & Roof Repair Project, $350,000; Herring River Marsh View Project Phase One (Acquisition), $200,000; Herring River Marsh View Project Phase Two (Boardwalk), $200,000; Six Ponds-Hawksnest Woodlands Land Protection Project, $150,000; and Harwich Police Soccer Club Street Soccer Pitch Project, $128,100.

At its October 8 meeting, the committee was scheduled to vote on rescinding $12,015.00 from 2025 ATM Article #28 (North Harwich Gravestone Project) and $198.55 from 2020 ATM Article #31(4) (Restoration & Rehabilitation of Town-Owned Conservation Lands Project).

Water board: signing authority and two contracts

The Board of Water & Wastewater Commissioners agenda for October 6 included considering contract signing authority for the Superintendent up to $50,000.00, a Ferguson Water Works materials contract of $18,913.00, and a Hydra-Stop insertion valves sole-source contract of $55,185.00. Awards on unit price for Water Works Materials Bid §1 (Core & Main) and Bid §2 (Ferguson Water Works) were also listed, along with Route 28 Phase 1 and Phase 2 updates.

Housing, land and other business

The Affordable Housing Trust meets October 19 with a CPC application request for $650,000 and a vote on a Request for Proposal for 0 Oak Street. The Planning Board's October 13 agenda included a continued public hearing on a special permit for a 38,403-square-foot wholesale landscaping supply yard at 246 Queen Anne Road and an endorsement to merge three lots there. The Conservation Commission on October 7 was scheduled to select a firm for third-party wetland boundary review on Queen Anne Road parcels tied to Queen Anne Acres LLC and Mid Cape Church Homes, Inc. (Pine Oaks Village Homes). The Cemetery Commission's October 15 agenda listed deeds for Island Pond Cemetery plots totaling $7,000.00 and bills including TW. Nickerson at $264.50.

Coming up

• **Monday, October 19** — Select Board (sewer borrowings, Transfer Station fee hearing); Affordable Housing Trust; Energy and Climate Action Committee.
• **Tuesday, October 20** — Golf Committee public hearing on 2027 rates and fees, with a possible vote; Board of Health (deed restriction release at 66 Cemetery Rd, variance at 37 Bank St).
• **Wednesday, October 21** — Conservation Commission (demolition of Snow Inn and Channel House for a new hotel at 23 Snow Inn Rd; a 1.5-acre shellfish aquaculture license site in Pleasant Bay); Historic District & Historical Commission (ADA ramp at 76 & 80 Parallel Street).
• **Thursday, October 22** — Charter Commission public hearing on the approved draft of the Town of Harwich Charter, with written comments accepted at Town Hall; Cultural Council review of FY27 grant proposals.

Harwich boards to weigh church renovation, boat, and water main contracts

No decisions have been reported from Harwich town meetings held over the past two weeks, as minutes have not yet been published. The most consequential items on the agenda include a $667,500 contract for the West Harwich Baptist Church exterior renovation and a $424,689 replacement boat for Saquatucket Harbor, both before the Select Board.

Recent meetings

The Select Board met Aug. 10 with an agenda that included a public hearing on a liquor license change for Value Mart, a vote on a $667,500 Community Preservation Act agreement for the West Harwich Baptist Church exterior renovation, a $225,000 CPA agreement with the Harwich Conservation Trust for Robbins Pond Woodlands land protection, and a $90,285.15 contract with Hub Technical Services for networking infrastructure at 204 Sisson Road. The board also discussed appointing hearing officers for two alleged liquor license violations at Perks.

The Board of Water and Wastewater Commissioners met Aug. 11 to consider a bid and notice to proceed for the Route 28 Water Main Replacement Project with Dig It Construction, along with an abatement request at 7 Perry's Way and an emergency response plan update.

The Planning Board continued its hearing for a 38,403-square-foot wholesale landscaping supply yard at 246 Queen Anne Road, with the applicant requesting another continuance to Aug. 25. The board also voted to endorse a modified subdivision plan for Duarte Drive.

The Historic District and Historical Commission held public hearings on four demolition or alteration proposals for structures over 100 years old, including a full demolition at 202 Route 28 for public parking and a trailhead, and a partial demolition at 93 Bank Street.

The Conservation Commission reviewed wetland buffer projects and held a show-cause hearing for alleged clear-cutting in a buffer zone at 0 and 19 Standish Woods Circle.

The Board of Health voted on three septic system variance requests, including one at 93 Bank Street with a 5.7-foot setback variance, and approved new food and event licenses.

Coming up

The Select Board meets Aug. 24 to vote on a $424,689.67 contract with SAFE Boats International for a replacement boat for Saquatucket Harbor, a $127,723.65 contract with Colonial Municipal Group for a 2027 Ford F-450 dump truck, and a $6,272.50 payment and maintenance agreement with Dale W. and Ann M. Pitzen for a grinder pump reimbursement. The board will also appoint hearing officers for alleged liquor violations at Perks and Noble House, and consider special permits for one-day alcohol sales for Cape Cod Rugby and the Rotary Club of Harwich-Dennis.

The Planning Board meets Aug. 25 to continue the hearing for the landscaping supply yard, vote on releasing a $300,000 performance bond for Arthur's Way, and nominate a representative to the Community Preservation Committee.

The Zoning Board of Appeals meets Aug. 26 to hear an appeal of a building permit denial for a replacement home at 31 Lincoln Village Rd.

The Select Board and Finance Committee hold a joint budget summit Aug. 27 to review Fiscal Year 2026 year-end financials, a 5-year forecast, the Fiscal Year 2028 timeline, and an update on the Monomoy Regional School budget.

The Charter Commission meets Aug. 27 to vote on its preliminary report and proposed charter.

Coming up

• **Select Board** – Aug. 24, 6:00 PM, Town Hall (contracts, liquor hearings)
• **Planning Board** – Aug. 25, 7:00 PM, Town Hall (landscaping yard, bond release)
• **Zoning Board of Appeals** – Aug. 26, 6:00 PM, Town Hall (31 Lincoln Village Rd)
• **Budget Summit (Select Board & Finance Committee)** – Aug. 27, 6:00 PM, Town Hall
• **Charter Commission** – Aug. 27, 6:30 PM, Town Hall (preliminary report vote)

Harwich boards face key votes on church renovation, water main, and land deals

Harwich town boards have a full slate of meetings this week, with the Select Board poised to vote on a $667,500 renovation contract and a $225,000 land protection agreement. Recent meetings produced no decisions, as all were agenda-only with minutes not yet published.

Select Board

The Select Board met July 27 with an agenda that included conveying a 2-acre town-owned parcel off Pleasant Lake Avenue to the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a $489,693 catch basin replacement contract with Robert B. Our, Inc., a $284,161.80 EKG replacement for the Fire Department from Styker Sales, LLC, and a $185,300 SCADA programming contract for Phase 3 Sewer Design. The board also considered a lease of Cranberry Golf Course turf equipment from TD Equipment Finance at 4.23% over 60 months. No votes were recorded because minutes have not been published.

On July 30, the board held a joint session with the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners.

At its Aug. 10 meeting, the Select Board will hold a public hearing on a change of stock and officers for Value Mart's off-premise wine and malt package store at 435 Route 28. It will vote on a $667,500 Community Preservation Act agreement with West Harwich Group for exterior renovation of West Harwich Baptist Church, a $225,000 CPA agreement with Harwich Conservation Trust for Robbins Pond Woodlands land protection, and a $90,285.15 contract with Hub Technical Services for networking infrastructure at 204 Sisson Road. The board will also discuss appointing hearing officers for two alleged entertainment/liquor license violations at Perks, 545 Route 28.

Water and Wastewater

The Board of Water/Wastewater Commissioners met July 28 to consider a generator contract for Station 8, a feasibility study for the Weston & Sampson building, and a public outreach letter to Route 28 abutters. No decisions were recorded.

On Aug. 11, the board will consider approving a bid and notice to proceed for the Route 28 Water Main Replacement Project with Dig It Construction. It will also review an abatement request at 7 Perry's Way, an emergency response plan update under the Apex contract, and discuss capital projects and a disaster rate.

Planning and Zoning

The Planning Board continued a public hearing July 28 for a site plan review special permit for a 38,403 sq ft wholesale landscaping supply yard at 246 Queen Anne Road. The board also considered a $150,000 performance insurance bond for Bentley Road utilities and road completion, and a full covenant release for Lot 5 of the Bentley Road Subdivision. The hearing will continue Aug. 11, at the applicant's request, to Aug. 25. That meeting also includes a vote on endorsing a modified subdivision plan for Duarte Drive and board reorganization.

The Zoning Board of Appeals met July 29 to hear four cases involving nonconforming structures: a partial second-story addition at 132 Gilbert Ln, a stairway relocation at 14 Wah Wah Taysee Rd, a pool construction at 17 Pleasant Rd, and an appeal of a building permit denial to raze and replace a home at 31 Lincoln Village Rd. The board also discussed zoning amendment changes related to MGL Ch. 40A.

Other boards

The Harwich Housing Authority met July 28 to review its financial report for the quarter ending June 30, 2026, and approve warrants 2026.5 and 2026.6. The Recreation and Youth Commission discussed a splash pad update, a futsal proposal, Brooks Park security, and a senior softball request. The Conservation Commission reviewed demolition and construction projects, including a potential kayak ramp at Bells Neck Conservation Area. The Charter Commission continued its discussion of draft charter language on July 30 and will consider a possible vote on the draft charter at its Aug. 13 meeting.

Coming up

• **Select Board** – Aug. 10, 6:00 p.m.: Votes on church renovation, land protection, and networking contracts.
• **Board of Water/Wastewater Commissioners** – Aug. 11: Route 28 water main replacement bid.
• **Planning Board** – Aug. 11: Continued hearing on landscaping supply yard and Duarte Drive subdivision.
• **Charter Commission** – Aug. 13: Possible vote on draft charter.
• **Finance Committee** – Aug. 13: Reserve fund transfer request and capital outlay discussion.

Harwich Select Board Set to Vote on Land Transfer for Affordable Housing; Boards Tackle Variances, Contracts, and Charter Drafting

Harwich's Select Board was scheduled this week to vote on conveying a 2-acre town-owned parcel off Pleasant Lake Avenue to the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust Fund, alongside several infrastructure contracts totaling more than $950,000. Because meeting minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions below, the items reflect what was on each agenda, not confirmed outcomes.

Select Board: Land, Contracts, and Candidate Interviews

The July 27 Select Board agenda included a vote to convey Assessor's Parcel 82-R5, a 2-acre parcel off Pleasant Lake Avenue, to the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing.

Also on the agenda: a $489,693 contract with Robert B. Our, Inc. for catch basin replacement and drainage infrastructure installation; a $284,161.80 contract with Styker Sales, LLC for Fire Department EKG replacement; a $185,300 contract with Environmental Design & Research for SCADA programming services for Phase 3 Sewer Design; and a lease of Cranberry Golf Course turf equipment from TD Equipment Finance at 4.23% over 60 months.

On July 24, the Select Board was scheduled to interview five candidates for four committees: Peter McAvoy and Doug Gorham for the Waterways Committee, Ryann Zabielski for the Recreation & Youth Commission, and Nichole Miranda and Mark Coleman for the Board of Health.

A July 30 Select Board meeting was set to include a joint session with the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners.

Board of Health: Septic Variance and Permits

The Board of Health agenda for July 21 listed a variance vote for a septic system at 93 Bank Street. The request sought a 5.7-foot variance from the 10-foot required setback for the septic tank (4.3 feet proposed) and a 3-foot variance from the 20-foot required setback for the soil absorption area (17 feet proposed).

The board also planned to reconsider previously approved conditions for increased habitable space at 8 Essex Place, and to vote on new permits including the Cape Verdean Festival (Tiffany Mendes, 1 Oak St), Bramble Cottage Kitchen (Kelli Schofield, 100 Oak St), Hen House Bakery farm stand (248 Main St), and a farmers market permit for Sea Side Soda Co. (Rich Eaton, 204 Sisson Rd).

Planning Board: Landscaping Supply Yard Hearing

The Planning Board's July 28 agenda included a continued public hearing (PB2026-06) for a 38,403-square-foot outdoor commercial wholesale landscaping supply yard at 246 Queen Anne Road in the Industrial Limited Zoning District.

The board also planned to vote on accepting a $150,000 performance insurance bond for Bentley Road utilities and road completion, and on a full covenant release for Lot 5 of the Bentley Road Subdivision.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Four Cases

The Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled a July 29 public hearing on four cases: a partial second-story addition with dormers at 132 Gilbert Ln (Case 2026-16, RL District); relocation of an exterior stairway at 14 Wah Wah Taysee Rd (Case 2026-17, RH-1 District); pool construction at 17 Pleasant Rd (Case 2026-18, RH-1 District); and an appeal of a building permit denial to raze and replace a home at 31 Lincoln Village Rd (Case 2026-19, CV & RH-1 Districts).

Charter Commission: Drafting Continues

The Charter Commission met July 23 and July 30 to continue drafting charter language. The July 23 agenda focused on Section 9-1-4 regarding the Finance Committee, with possible votes. The July 30 agenda included possible wording for section 10-1-2 and discussion of elements of section C7.

Other Boards and Committees

• **Energy and Climate Action Committee (July 20):** Scheduled to review the newly approved town Comprehensive Plan and receive an update from the town administrator.
• **Golf Committee (July 21):** Discussed the driving range, a Super Junior Day proposal, and a request for Community Preservation Act (CPC) funds for golf.
• **Council on Aging (July 22):** Reviewed needs assessment recommendations and a director's report on operations and volunteer needs.
• **Water/Wastewater Commissioners (July 28):** Considered a generator contract for Station 8, a feasibility study for the Weston & Sampson building, and a public outreach letter to Route 28 abutters.
• **Housing Authority (July 28):** Reviewed a financial report for the quarter ending June 30, 2026, and warrants 2026.5 and 2026.6.
• **Recreation & Youth Commission (July 28):** Discussed a splash pad update, the Bob Brackett futsal proposal, Brooks Park backstop and security, and a senior softball request.

Coming Up

• **Aug. 5 — Community Center Facilities Committee:** Discussion of the community center animal policy, code of conduct, patio concrete slab status, and sticker sales updates.
• **Aug. 5 — Conservation Commission:** Review of demolition requests at 202 Route 28 (Harwich Conservation Trust) and 108 Route 28 (JSLW, LLC), residential dock and seawall improvements at 4 Mill Point Road, a potential kayak ramp at Bells Neck Conservation Area, and Cape Cod Commission draft coastal resilience regulations.

Note: All recent meetings listed above were agenda-only; minutes had not been published as of this roundup. Outcomes, vote tallies, and any changes to the items described will be confirmed when minutes become available.