The Harwich Affordable Housing Trust cleared a final financial hurdle for the Old Bank Street Firehouse project on Monday, authorizing $10,000 to fund the state-mandated tenant lottery for three newly completed apartments. Bruce Young, President of the Harwich Fire Association, informed the board that the conversion of the historic firehouse is nearly ready for occupancy, despite minor delays involving fire alarm sensors and a narrow escape from an attempted financial scam. Young described the project as 99% done and noted that while the units are finished and appliances are installed, the association required the funding to secure a management company to oversee the 60-day lottery process. Young also warned the board of a sophisticated phishing attempt where he received a fraudulent bill for $4,850 requesting a wire transfer. Motion Made by J. Handler to grant and approve in the dollar amount of $10,000 to the Old Bank Street Firehouse for the purpose of lottery costs. Motion Passed (3-0).

The meeting transitioned into a broader debate over the Trust’s independence and governance structure, a recurring theme as Harwich shifts toward a professionalized management model. Trustees reviewed potential amendments to town bylaws that currently designate the Town Administrator as the automatic chairperson of the Trust. Claudia Williams expressed significant reservations about this arrangement, citing the need for the body to act with autonomy. If the Town Administrator is supposed to be the designated chairperson on a trust that's supposed to act relatively independently, I would have an issue with that, Williams said, adding that the chair sets the agenda; that's a big piece of how we get things done.

Select Board Liaison Jeff Handler agreed that the current structure creates a difficult political dynamic, particularly as the town prepares for a new permanent administrator following the departure of Tony Skiavi. Past history teaches us that it's a very uncomfortable position for a town administrator to be sitting as the chair of a board with one of his five direct bosses sitting on the trust with him, Handler noted. Chair Brendan Lowey offered a different perspective, suggesting that having the administration directly involved provides necessary checks and balances for a body that has the power to distribute significant public funds. Lowey stated, I have different views on having the town administrator involved only because we're a small body. We have power to give out money tomorrow and I just like the checks and balances involved.

The push for autonomy is also driving the Trust to seek its own legal counsel. Currently, the Trust relies on KP Law, the same firm used by the Select Board, which trustees fear creates a conflict of interest if the two bodies disagree on housing policy. Resident Elizabeth Harder shared her experience with the Assembly of Delegates, noting they found success with a smaller outside firm that understood municipal government but remained independent of town hall. In another case, we went with an outside firm and they were terrific, Harder told the board. Handler emphasized the importance of this clarity as the board seeks a new member, or what he called a fifth beetle, to help hammer out long-term action items.

Financial transparency was at the forefront of a presentation by resident Lou Urbano, who urged the Trust to adopt a more bank-like approach to its operations. Urbano proposed the creation of a public scorecard on the town website to track compliance, housing units provided, and income generated. The trust cannot solely rely on town money. It has to start thinking in terms of what percentage of the trust will start being donations by the public, Urbano said, suggesting that developers should be required to provide full profit and loss statements to the Trust. Lowey indicated that many of these ideas, including a potential buy-down program for town employees, would be discussed during a joint meeting with the Housing Committee scheduled for December.

The board also addressed the ongoing oversight of 265 Sisson Road, the town-owned property currently leased to the Harwich Junior Theater. Financial records revealed a stark disparity between the rent collected and the maintenance costs incurred. Lowey reported that over the last 15 years, the theater has paid approximately $9,316 in rent—an average of $662 per year—while performing $68,000 in capital repairs. The Trust is currently waiting for data on how much the town has contributed to the building's upkeep to determine if a full lease renegotiation is required. This review aligns with a town-wide effort to standardize how municipal buildings are managed, particularly those held under licenses versus formal leases.

Regarding other projects, the board received a brief update on the Penrose development at 456 Queen Road. Engineers have conducted recent site tests, and the project has received its Project Eligibility Letter (PEL) from the Select Board, moving it closer to a Zoning Board of Appeals submission. Protecting Harwich’s Safe Harbor status remains a priority, as delays in paperwork for other projects, such as the schoolhouse conversion on Bank Street, have left affordable units vacant while market-rate apartments are already filled. Motion Made by J. Handler to approve the minutes from September 8, 2025. Motion Passed (3-0).