The Harwich Affordable Housing Trust moved a step closer to finalizing details for a key development at 456 Queen Anne Road Wednesday, while also clearing the way for safety upgrades at the Harwich Junior Theatre. In a meeting marked by shifting schedules and private negotiations, the Trust prioritized the safety of local youth and the complex legalities of land disposition in a town where the $220,000 income threshold for homeownership continues to sharpen the focus on regional housing initiatives.

Board member Bob MacCready championed a request from the Harwich Junior Theatre to install fencing around a newly constructed picnic area at 265 Sisson Road. The Trust acts as the landlord for the property, a role that occasionally surprises newer members. Brendan Le asked, Was that on the... are we the landlord for other properties? The Chair confirmed the Trust's oversight, noting that the theater would fund the installation themselves. MacCready explained the urgency of the request, stating, The Harwich Junior Theatre is asking our permission to go forward with the installation of a fence that will provide for safety for the kids. It will fence off the picnic area that they've built. He added that the fence could always be modified later if the Trust's broader plans for the Sisson Road property change.

Motion Made by B. MacCready to approve the Harwich Junior Theatre's request for fencing installation for safety purposes. Motion Passed Unanimously (Voice Vote).

The approval allows the theater to move forward to the Historic District Commission for final permission. The Chair noted he was broadly interpreting the agenda to ensure the vote could happen despite the heavy focus on the afternoon’s primary business: a non-public executive session regarding 456 Queen Anne Road. During the transition, an unidentified visitor briefly entered the room, with a board member noting, We're not historical, but you're welcome to sit in.

The Trust entered the private session to discuss a land disposition agreement and ground lease, a critical step in the development of the Queen Anne Road site which has been a recurring focus for the board. MacCready read the formal entry into the session, citing the need to discuss and vote on 456 Queen Anne Road land disposition agreement and ground lease related to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property, noting that an open discussion could have a detrimental effect on the Trust’s negotiating position.

Motion Made by B. MacCready to enter Executive Session pursuant to GL 30A 21A6 regarding 456 Queen Anne Road. Motion Passed 4-0 (Roll Call: B. MacCready, C. Williams, B. Le, and Chair).

The meeting saw several agenda adjustments as the board balanced its workload with other town business. Member Julie arrived late after interviewing candidates for the Town Treasurer position, and Katie Klein joined just as the board prepared for its private session. Good evening. Well, good afternoon. It's going to be that kind of meeting, I guess; we'll be correcting each other, Klein joked upon arrival. Because of the anticipated length of the lease negotiations, items regarding West Harwich Square were deferred. The Chair noted that developer John Kerry was more comfortable with next month for his presentation, allowing the Trust to focus exclusively on the Queen Anne Road contract and the immediate theater safety request.