Harwich health officials are hitting the pause button on new dog-friendly dining applications following a contentious 3-1 vote to reopen the town's regulatory process. The decision comes amid concerns that the public and business owners were largely unaware of the initial rule-making that occurred earlier this spring. While the board has already established guidelines for allowing dogs in food service establishments, Chair Kevin Dupont argued that the current framework lacks sufficient community input.

I think the whole process needs to be re-looked at, Dupont said during the July 15 meeting. More people now are aware of what it is; maybe we need to reconsider some of this. The discussion was sparked when a variance request for Perks at 545 Route 28 had to be delayed because the applicant failed to notify neighbors. Health Director Carrie Schirner supported the move to reconsider the rules, noting that nobody was aware we were voting on this two months ago. I would just hear both sides. The restaurants can speak their piece, and people with issues can voice them.

Member Ron D'Agello cast the lone dissenting vote, defending the existing standards which require training, signage, and restricted access. I think the guidelines that we proposed and agreed on are fantastic if they're followed, D'Agello said. People who are totally up in arms about this have the right not to go to those businesses. I think the business owners understand that. Despite his objection, the board will hold a wider public discussion next month and examine how other municipalities, including the City of Boston, handle canine guests. Motion Made by K. Dupont to bring the dog-friendly variance process back for discussion at the next meeting. Motion Passed (3-1).

The board also confronted the town’s broader fiscal and social challenges during a presentation by Nicole Halis of Crescendo Consulting Group. Halis unveiled a new Harwich-specific Community Action Plan, built on a regional needs assessment that highlighted gaps in mental health, housing, and transportation. Harwich is currently the only town in the Lower Cape cluster to develop its own roadmap following the assessment. Halis noted that the plan focuses on concrete action items, not just ideas, suggesting the town start with low-hanging fruit like a resource guide before moving toward transformational initiatives like a unified Health and Human Services department.

The creation of such a department, however, faces significant headwinds from the town’s current fiscal squeeze. Schirner revealed that a previous attempt to establish a Health and Human Services division was rebuffed during the last budget cycle. That requires budget and support, and it’s not an easy tick when they want no increase in budget, Schirner told the board. We'll keep at it. Dupont expressed concern about how the plan would gain traction without a mandate from higher town leadership. It can't be strictly the Board of Health because they fall under the Select Board, Dupont said. If the Select Board doesn't buy into this, I look at the Board of Health and some of these things would be almost impossible without additional help and support.

In infrastructure news, the board moved to protect residents in the Great Sands Lake area from redundant costs as Phase 3A of the town’s sewer project moves forward. Following the template used for Phase 2, the board voted to grant waivers to residents with failing septic systems, allowing them to delay expensive upgrades if they are slated for a municipal sewer connection within the next few years. Motion Made by Unidentified Member to maintain the waivers that were in place for Phase 2 as the town moves forward into Phase 3A of sewer connection. Motion Passed (4-0).

Schirner reported that the timeline for Phase 3A is moving faster than anticipated, with design work already underway. For those already in the Phase 2 area, the town has issued 130 orders to connect out of 430 eligible properties. Everyone in Phase 2 who hasn't connected is past due, which is why we sent letters, Schirner said, adding that most residents are now responding with a plan or citing delays with contractors.

The board also addressed housing density and environmental protection through a discussion of the 660 Rule, which could allow for increased bedroom counts for properties using innovative/alternative (I/A) septic systems or connecting to the sewer. However, Schirner cautioned that any change to these limits must be vetted against the town’s Inter-Municipal Agreement with Chatham. The board decided to delay a final determination until a joint meeting can be held with the Wastewater Commission and the Select Board.

In other business, the board approved a habitable space variance for 18 Bank Street, where applicant Peter Mackery is renovating a multi-dwelling property. Mackery explained the project involves moving a bedroom to a second story in a cottage to vault the ceilings, resulting in a net increase of only 15 square feet for the entire property. Two-bedroom count, one bathroom count—no change. We are seeking permission for this small net increase, Mackery said. Motion Made by Unidentified Member to accept the variance request for 18 Bank Street as presented. Motion Passed (4-0).

Procedurally, the meeting began with a corrective reorganization of the board after it was discovered a previous vote took place before the legally mandated July window. Motion Made by Unidentified Member to nominate K. Dupont as Chair. Motion Passed (4-0). Motion Made by K. Dupont to nominate Ron [Last Name Unstated] as Vice Chair. Motion Passed (4-0). Motion Made by K. Dupont to nominate P. Howell as Clerk. Motion Passed (4-0).

The meeting concluded with a report on the People’s Garden and People’s Fridge initiatives. Schirner noted that crops including tomatoes, eggplant, and squash are now being harvested to fill the community fridge at the 204 Sisson Road cultural center, an effort aimed at tackling local food insecurity while building community gardening skills.