Harwich residents visiting the Community Center for beach and disposal stickers will find a quiet hallway this spring as the town transitions to a fully online sales model. Facilities Director Carolyn Carey informed the Facilities Committee on Friday that the room traditionally used for in-person sticker sales will no longer host the service, a move that aligns with town-wide efforts to modernize operations and reduce staffing pressures within municipal buildings. Carey noted that while the change is intended to streamline the process, staff are bracing for a wave of residents accustomed to the face-to-face transaction. That will impact staff because people will still come here expecting it, so we are preparing the staff with the best information possible, Carey said, adding that the vacated room will now be available for small community groups of 10 to 12 people.

The committee also received positive news regarding long-delayed recreation projects. Member Van reported that the Community Preservation Committee has signaled support for three key funding requests, including a new infield for the Brooks Park baseball field and the construction of a permanent bathroom facility at Sand Pond. The Sand Pond project has faced significant hurdles over the years, though the septic system is already in place. The Sand Pond bathroom facility is finally going to get done after all these years, Van said. The progress on these facilities comes at a time when Harwich is grappling with sharp increases in infrastructure costs, a trend that recently saw a restroom project at Senior Memorial Field spike from $28,000 to over $130,000.

The high cost of municipal construction—often driven by prevailing wage requirements—loomed over discussions regarding a potential expansion of the Community Center. While the committee is eager to meet the rising demand for meeting space, Carey shared that Highway Department estimates for a permanent building addition reached approximately $2 million. In response, member Heath suggested a more cost-effective alternative. Did we ever think about putting a patio or covered pavilion behind the kitchen or weight room? It could count as another room during nice weather, Heath asked. To keep costs manageable, the committee discussed partnering with Cape Cod Regional Technical High School students to treat a pavilion as a community project, similar to ongoing work on local dugouts. Van noted that a pavilion might cost closer to $200,000, significantly less than a permanent structure.

Safety and policy consistency remained central to the meeting, with Carey announcing a comprehensive safety drill scheduled for April 5. Organized in conjunction with the Police Department, the training will ensure that both veteran and new staff members are familiar with emergency protocols and the building’s panic buttons. It's important to have that face-to-face interaction with police and fire to de-escalate fear, Heath remarked. Additionally, the committee plans to adopt a new town-wide dog policy currently being drafted by the Select Board. The policy is expected to limit animals in municipal buildings to service dogs and specific invited programs, addressing concerns regarding allergies and safety while maintaining a respectful environment for all visitors.

The meeting opened with the approval of previous records, as member Chris noted that some minor corrections had been addressed. Motion Made by Chris to approve the minutes for February 14th. Motion Passed (3-0-0). The committee also formally acknowledged the resignation of long-time member Ralph, who will continue his volunteer work with the Council on Aging. Staff member Reagan highlighted the building's role as a social hub, reporting that a recent celebration saw over 1,000 "acorns" distributed and a line for donated Dairy Queen cakes stretching out the door. As a newer staff member, I see that people don't understand the separation of departments, Reagan said, echoing Carey’s call for a joint meeting between the Recreation Commission and the Council on Aging to improve inter-departmental communication.