The Harwich Finance Committee cleared a significant hurdle for the town's fiscal year-end, authorizing nearly $833,000 in budget transfers while signaling a new push to keep public safety employees in town through aggressive housing incentives. The meeting, which saw a change in leadership as long-time Chair Peter Hughes stepped down, highlighted growing concerns over the town’s reliance on expensive consultants and its ability to retain staff in a tightening market.

Megan Green, the outgoing Finance Director who is departing for a position in Chatham at the end of the month, presented the final revision of the FY 2025 transfers required to close the books. The number is $832,921.98 being requested to make the budget transfers for FY 2025, Green told the committee. While the transfers move funds within existing categories, Hughes noted the total was larger than in previous years, suggesting a need for tighter oversight. The number is big this year, which suggests we didn't do a great job of budgeting and managing to that budget, Hughes said, adding that he has urged the Select Board to ensure finance staff attend more meetings to catch negative balances earlier in the cycle. Hughes also noted that Megan Green's role will be filled temporarily by staff under Interim Finance Director Eric Kinzer.

Committee member Dana Dosta pointed to a shifting financial landscape in the town’s personnel costs reflected in the year-end numbers. To me, the real interesting thing about the transfers is that it used to be when someone left, you brought in someone less expensive and saved money, Dosta observed. But many of these transfers involve consulting, which is more expensive than regular staff. That is a big trend.

Motion Made by D. Twerk to approve the budget transfer requests for FY 2025 in the amount of $832,921.98. Motion Passed (7-0-0)

Beyond the immediate budget cleanup, the committee debated a creative proposal to address Harwich’s chronic difficulty in attracting and keeping first responders. The concept involves setting aside $400,000 from the town’s free cash to create a down payment assistance fund. Under the plan, municipal employees—specifically police, fire, and potentially teachers—could receive up to $100,000 toward a home purchase to help them qualify for a mortgage in the high-cost local market.

Hughes framed the proposal as a way to protect the town’s investment in training. We invest in training people at the academy, and then they leave for $10,000 more elsewhere because of housing, he said. Member Scott Noran suggested modeling the initiative after a program at Columbia University that uses forgivable loans. We would need a mechanism where if they leave in the first five years, they pay it back, but it gets forgiven over 20 years, Noran explained. Michelle Galushi agreed that the committee had a duty to weigh in on the matter, noting that if it has financial implications like not being able to attract talent or increasing overtime, it makes sense for us to make recommendations.

The proposal met resistance from Bob McCriedy, who questioned whether the Finance Committee should be designing personnel policy. I feel uncomfortable about whether this is our role, McCriedy said. I don't see making these specific suggestions as being within our charge. We should direct the Select Board to improve recruiting, but not design the specific approach. Mark Heller, acting as Select Board liaison, noted he would bring the concept to the board for further discussion.

Motion Made by D. Twerk to instruct the Chair to word-smith the housing assistance proposal and send it to the Select Board. Motion Passed (5-1-0)

The meeting marked the end of an era for the committee as Hughes declined to seek another term as Chair. I am not going to be the chair going forward. I've done it for three years and believe in rotating the bench, Hughes said. Bob McCriedy was tapped to lead the committee for the coming year, though he cautioned he would only serve if others stepped up for supporting roles. Scott Noran was named Vice Chair and Dana Dosta took over as Clerk.

Motion Made by D. Twerk to appoint B. McCriedy as Chair. Motion Passed (6-0-0)

Motion Made by B. McCriedy to appoint S. Noran as Vice Chair. Motion Passed (6-0-0)

Motion Made by P. Hughes to appoint D. Dosta as Clerk. Motion Passed (6-0-0)

In other business, the committee filled several liaison vacancies. Scott Noran and Michelle Galushi were appointed to the Capital Outlay Committee, while Dan Twerk will take over as the representative for Cape Cod Tech. Members also voiced frustration with basic town infrastructure, specifically the lack of dedicated town email addresses and the state of the town’s website. McCriedy described the digital interface as very unfriendly, noting that searching for essential documents like the Town Charter is currently difficult for residents.

Motion Made by D. Twerk to nominate M. Galushi and S. Noran to the Capital Outlay Committee. Motion Passed (6-0-0)