Former Harwich leadership called for a fundamental shift in town governance this week, recommending that the Charter Commission implement nine-year term limits for the Select Board and strip the body of administrative licensing duties. The proposals, presented during a February 5 session, aim to professionalize the town’s executive branch and distance elected officials from day-to-day management to focus on long-term strategy.

Mary Anderson, a former Select Board member, highlighted the need for clarity in town definitions and administrative boundaries. She pushed for the removal of the word normally from charter language that prohibits the Select Board from interfering in daily operations, arguing that the restriction should be absolute. Anderson also recommended that any new town positions be presented as separate warrant articles rather than being bundled into the general budget, a move intended to give taxpayers more direct control over the growth of town government. I'm wondering if maybe a section that defines terms—that whole thing about agencies, committees, departments, divisions. I know it took me a while to sort it out, Anderson noted.

Peter Hughes, also a former Select Board member, advocated for a robust Strong Town Administrator model. He suggested that routine licensing tasks—which often consume significant board time—be delegated to staff or a dedicated regulatory body. Hughes also proposed a three-term limit for Select Board members to ensure a rotating bench of leadership. We should offload from the selectmen things like licensing. Why do we have to keep our fingers in everything? Hughes asked. Let’s put our hands in our pockets and say we are the board of directors for this corporation and the town administrator is the chief executive officer.

Chair Lou Lowny expressed interest in the feasibility of delegating licensing, asking consultant Anthony Wilson, Is there any reason why the select board could not designate [licensing] to someone else? Wilson replied that modern charters increasingly allow for such flexibility, noting that some municipalities are even experimenting with sortition, or random voter selection, for budget advisory roles. Most charters, particularly modern charters, are giving them that flexibility to do that, Wilson said.

The commission also discussed shifting the budget calendar to allow more public scrutiny and ensure taxpayers understand the impact of spending before Town Meeting. Member Paul Doane detailed a subcommittee proposal to move the budget submission deadline from February to mid-January. One of the things that we came up with in our subcommittee was to... suggest that the town administrator present the budget... to the select board and the finance committee at the same time, Doane said. Current Select Board member Anita Ducet agreed with the shift toward a strategic Board of Directors model, stating, Board of directors don't get involved in the day-to-day of anything.

Member Richard Waystack focused on the enforcement of these new charter rules, suggesting the document include a hammer or deterrent for violations. What we're looking for is to have a deterrent that we hope we don't ever really have to use, Waystack said, adding that while the first response to a violation should be educational, a formal mechanism for compliance is necessary to maintain the charter's integrity.

Before the deep dive into charter language, the commission handled its routine business. Motion Made by Richard to approve the regular minutes of January 29, 2026, and the subcommittee meeting minutes of January 28, 2026. Motion Passed (Unanimous).

Commission members Judith Underwood, Christine Flynn, and Kevin Considine joined the consensus to move the budget calendar forward and requested that the consultant research the legal limits of delegating liquor licensing versus general business permits. The commission is scheduled to review a full redline draft of these changes at their next meeting on February 12, followed by a session with the Town Moderator on February 26 to coordinate Town Meeting procedures.