The Harwich Community Preservation Committee (CPC) moved into its 2025-2026 funding cycle this week, grappling with a diverse slate of 11 applications ranging from affordable housing developments to historic church restorations. Chair Dave Dixon opened the review by noting the committee currently holds one application in open space, one in historic preservation, five in community housing, and four in the recreation and undesignated categories. While the list represents significant investment in town priorities, several projects faced immediate scrutiny over procedural hurdles and public pushback.

Chief among the concerns is a funding request for the West Baptist Church (HP1). Dixon revealed that the project has already generated friction within the community, noting he has received seven letters from seven taxpayers in opposition to the grant. When this comes to the floor, I'll read those letters publicly, Dixon said. Gabby Green, who also serves on the Historic Commission, informed the committee that the church is slated to appear before that board on November 12 for further consideration. The debate over the church project comes as the town continues to balance historic preservation with taxpayer concerns regarding the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for religious structures.

The committee also hit a snag regarding the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust, which failed to submit a formal paper application by the required deadline. Despite the missing paperwork, Mayor Mesloki (referred to as Mary in the session) urged the committee to exercise patience, citing the Trust’s recent leadership transitions and its role in moving the town toward its housing goals. I know I'm always the one that says I'd like to give them some slack, Mayor Mesloki said. I would like to give them some slack temporarily to see if they can get their person appointed and start back with the momentum that they were just starting. Dixon agreed to contact the acting chair of the Trust to secure the necessary documents rather than penalize the organization. I don't want to penalize them for what they've done because of the situation they're working within, Dixon added.

John Katchchum emphasized the importance of clarity in housing applications, particularly regarding the three Penrose LLC projects. He suggested using specific site names, such as Chatham Main Street, Harwich Queen Anne, and Chatham Meeting House, to prevent confusion with previous initiatives. Reflecting on the committee’s history of difficult choices, Katchchum noted, This is far from the first time we've had to swallow hard and just make a decision one way or the other. To ensure all 11 applicants receive a full hearing, the committee established a three-night presentation schedule spanning November and December. Katchchum advocated for a condensed timeline to keep the details fresh, stating, I would prefer to do it in two nights... I prefer to stay late myself than schedule an extra day.

Beyond specific applications, the committee is refining the legal framework governing how these funds are spent. Mayor Mesloki and Gabby Green presented updates to the town’s standard grant agreement, drawing on models from neighboring Orleans to improve financial oversight. The new language introduces explicit audit rights for the town and establishes a clear timeline for project completion. Under the proposed terms, projects must begin within 12 months of the fiscal year following the Town Meeting vote and be completed within two years of that start date. We took the old habitat, made some suggested changes to it, and then also added some provisions from the Orleans agreement, Mayor Mesloki explained, noting the changes aim to clean up some language with respect to invoicing.

A debate over how to publicly recognize CPA-funded projects also surfaced. Gabby Green presented several signage options, noting that custom wooden signs from the Chatham Sign Shop can cost upwards of $900, while reflective aluminum signs used by the Ponds Coalition are roughly $50. Mayor Mesloki cautioned that any signs placed within the historic district require a Certificate of Appropriateness, noting that previous CPC signs were installed without proper permission, causing some concern with the Historic Commission. John Katchchum suggested modernizing the signs with technology, saying, I still think it would be a good idea to have either the URL or the QR code. Emily Bird expressed initial skepticism regarding the longevity of QR codes but supported a limited trial. I like the idea of piloting it with a particular segment and seeing how it goes, Bird said.

The meeting also addressed a minor procedural hiccup when the committee realized the September 11 minutes presented for approval were for a meeting that never actually took place due to a cancellation. Additionally, staff member Jan Moore warned that several past grant recipients, including the Harwich Fire Association and the Monomoy High School Pressbox project, have failed to submit required status updates, potentially impacting future funding considerations. Before moving into the public agenda, the board finalized their transition back to open session. Motion Made by [D. Dixon] to return to regular session. Motion Passed (6-0-0). Following the conclusion of new business and scheduling, the committee moved to end the evening. Motion Made by [J. Katchchum] to adjourn. Motion Passed (6-0-0).