The Harwich Community Preservation Committee (CPC) acted swiftly this week to realign funding sources for several upcoming Town Meeting articles following the results of a municipal audit. The adjustments, prompted by the discovery of a $400,000 land grant previously sitting in an undesignated fund, forced the committee to "true up" its various reserve buckets to ensure specific projects are funded from the correct accounts. Chair Kathy Green noted that while the audit required shifting dollars between accounts, it provided a necessary baseline for the town’s Community Preservation Act (CPA) accounting. The results were what we thought, Green said. We are satisfied no funds were misallocated; it's just a matter of which bucket they are in.

The financial corrections specifically targeted Article 5, which seeks $500,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust, and Article 8, a $500,000 request for the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Member Mary Maslowski explained that the audit results required the committee to reconsider votes taken in early March to avoid overdrawing specific reserves. This forces changes in where money comes from for other articles to ensure we don't overspend specific reserves, Maslowski stated during the reconsideration process. Motion Made by M. Maslowski to reconsider the motions for Articles 2, 5, and 8 voted on March 6th to reconsider the funding sources. Motion Passed (6-0-0). Following that, the committee moved to formally reallocate the funding. Motion Made by M. Maslowski to approve $500,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust consisting of $346,679.20 from FY2024 Community Housing certified balances and $153,320.80 from FY2024 certified undesignated balance. Motion Passed (5-0-1, with B. MacCready abstaining).

The committee also finalized funding for the Rail Trail project to reflect the new audit reality. Motion Made by M. Maslowski to approve $500,000 consisting of $382,879.83 from FY2024 Open Space certified balances and $117,120.17 from FY2024 certified undesignated balances to fund the Cape Cod Rail Trail project. Motion Passed (6-0-0). Member Marcy Mazoski emphasized the importance of maintaining this level of transparency as the town continues its search for a permanent Finance Director, noting, When the new finance director starts, we should meet with them to stay on the same page.

The meeting also featured a status report from the Affordable Housing Trust, which currently manages a balance of $3.1 million between its trust account and a stabilization fund. Trust Chair Larry Valentine detailed ongoing efforts at 456 Queen Anne Road and 205 Bank Street, while member Brandon provided a sobering look at development timelines in the current market. From purchasing land to completion, you are talking five to nine years for projects of 40 to 60 units, Brandon told the committee. The Trust is also monitoring potential losses to the town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI), as older restrictions at Pine Oaks and Davenport are set to expire. It may come down to negotiations of putting money into it to maintain them on the SHI list, Valentine said.

Progress on historic and recreational projects remains steady across town. Bruce Young, President of the Harwich Fire Association, reported that three all-electric affordable apartments are slated for a July 1 completion at the association’s historic headquarters. You're going to be amazed at the transformation of this space, Young said. Meanwhile, Facilities Maintenance Manager Sean Libby updated the board on the $1 million Brooks Academy Museum project. While no funds have been spent yet, Libby noted that a project manager is being hired to ensure work begins shortly after the May 5 Town Meeting. The project was on hold at my request to get some savings and cost efficiencies through not having redundant work done, Libby explained. Motion Made by M. Maslowski to approve and allocate additional funds into the Open Space Reserve, Historic Preservation Reserve, and Community Housing Reserve from FY2026 anticipated revenue fund balance to ensure the individual reserves reflect prior year revenues. Motion Passed (6-0-0).

In other business, Cemetery Administrator Robin Kelly announced that the South Harwich Gravestone project came in under budget at $19,500 and that a finalized list of 432 names for the town’s War Memorials will soon be published for public review. Harwich Conservation Trust Executive Director Michael Lach shared news of two state awards for the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve, though member Bob MacCready raised concerns about the project's popularity. It's a must-see attraction for Harwich, MacCready said. My only concern is that the parking is often packed on sunny days. Finally, Anthony Bowers of the Monomoy All Sports Booster Club confirmed that a $253,000 contract for a new pressbox is in the works, with construction expected to begin this fall.