The Harwich Finance Committee opened its doors to the public on February 12 to unveil a Fiscal Year 2027 budget that leaves the town with almost no remaining taxing authority under state law. Chair Robert MacCready reported that the proposed $86,612,944 revenue plan utilizes all but $92,000 of 100% of the legal levy cap set by Proposition 2 1/2. While salary and wages account for roughly $33.7 million of the projected spending, the committee expressed concern over an 8.5% spike in the Monomoy Regional School District assessment, which significantly outpaces the town’s 4% placeholder. Motion Made by P. Hughes to close the public hearing. Motion Passed (8-0-0).

Finance Director Jennifer Mintz offered some relief regarding the school costs, noting that health insurance rates recently settled at 8%, well below the district's 15% estimate. There is a material savings there that's going to bring that number down some, Mintz explained. Member Michele Gallucci, reporting for the Capital Outlay Committee, noted that the five-year plan through 2031 now includes an emergency $350,000 bulkhead dredging project at Saquatucket Marina. Gallucci told the committee that while most items were approved unanimously during the review process, she was one of two members who opposed a specific zoning rezoning request, stating, we voted on every single article... I was one of them who voted no on the planning project.

Accountability for town funds took center stage as the committee authorized more than doubling the spending limit for the Recreation and Youth Revolving Fund, raising the cap from $175,000 to $400,000. Mintz revealed a troubling history of financial oversight, noting the fund exceeded its legal limit in eight of the last 12 years. One year ended with a negative cash balance... which is prohibited, Mintz said, adding that she has now implemented hard stops in the town's accounting software to prevent future breaches. Recreation Director Eric Beebe supported the move, stating the previous administration never enforced the caps despite his warnings. I’m very happy that Jen is here to fix it and move forward, Beebe said. Motion Made by P. Hughes to authorize increasing the Recreation and Youth Revolving Fund spending limit or cap to $400,000. Motion Passed (8-0-0).

While the committee approved the increase, Member Dana DeCosta questioned the broader use of revolving funds for town operations. That's been my biggest complaint about the revolving funds... none of this revenue goes into the general fund to help support this, DeCosta said, suggesting that many of these expenses should be moved directly into the town budget. Town Administrator Jay McGrail agreed that a philosophy shift is needed but urged the committee to approve the fix to keep summer programs running. Motion Made by P. Hughes to withdraw the submitted article regarding forensic accounting for 204 Sisson Road. Motion Passed (8-0-0).

The committee also dropped a proposed $10,000 request for an outside forensic audit of the 204 Sisson Road municipal building. Member Peter Hughes explained the article was originally drafted because the previous administration had stonewalled the committee’s requests for financial data since the summer of 2024. However, McGrail and Mintz pledged to conduct the review internally. Please just let Jen do it. She is rip-roaring ready to go on all this work, McGrail said. The meeting concluded with a warning from Mintz regarding the Wastewater stabilization fund, which currently shows a $70,000 deficit. She suspect the shortfall was caused by a capital project, possibly the fire station, being miscoded as a wastewater expense in state records.