Harwich taxpayers are facing a significant $1.6 million increase in the Monomoy Regional School District assessment for the upcoming fiscal year, a 5.4% jump that sparked sharp warnings from the Finance Committee during Thursday’s budget hearing. Monomoy Superintendent Scott Carpenter presented a total district budget of $49,702,461, citing a fallout from COVID and escalating special education needs as primary drivers, even as overall enrollment begins a slight decline. Carpenter noted that while a student bubble currently exists at the high school, the district is grappling with the loss of federal ESSER funding and rising property insurance costs.

The assessment formula, which since 2023 has required each town to pay 100% of the net cost for its own elementary school, continues to be a point of friction. Business Manager Michael McMillan informed the committee that the district is using $1 million from Excess and Deficiency (E&D) funds to mitigate the impact on towns—the highest amount ever used for this purpose. Member Daniel Tworek suggested the district re-examine enrollment trends for English Language Learners, noting that with changes in immigration status, those numbers might plateau or decrease. However, Carpenter maintained that the staffing in this budget is to deal with the children currently in the system.

The reception from the committee was wary, particularly regarding the long-term sustainability of school spending. Member Dana DeCosta expressed blunt concern about the trajectory of the district’s requests. I think the school number is too high. We need to put pressure on them to use more E&D, DeCosta said, adding a warning that we shouldn't see Harwich go down the path of some western Mass towns where school budgets destroy the municipality. Member Michele Gallucci focused on the specific costs of high-needs students, asking if there were separate formulas for children with severe disabilities. McMillan clarified that state circuit breaker grants help, but those costs remain a significant budget driver.

Beyond the schools, the committee opened the public hearing for the $47.3 million Harwich municipal operating budget, which represents a 3.6% increase over the current year. Acting Chair Peter Hughes noted the budget includes no new positions but is pressured by a 6.5% hike in health insurance and a 10% jump in property and liability coverage. Town Administrator Joe Powers explained that a $100,000 increase in the Town Engineer’s budget is non-negotiable, as it covers state-mandated storm water reporting. Even without a permanent Town Engineer, we must contract this work out to remain in compliance, Powers said.

Scrutiny also turned toward public safety and insurance. Vice Chair Scott Norum questioned a 6% increase in Fire Department wages, noting that overtime is a big driver. Powers attributed this to contractual obligations and a staffing model designed to ensure stations aren't left empty when ambulances are in service. Member Mark Kelleher questioned why the town's insurance charges were rising by 10% when internal costs for the provider, Maya, appeared lower. Powers explained that the increase is based on replacement costs for town buildings and specific coverage needs. Motion Made by P. Hughes to close the public hearing. Motion Passed (Unanimous).

The meeting took a technical turn when Chair Robert MacCready identified what appeared to be a significant bookkeeping discrepancy in the town's budget documents. MacCready pointed out that Appendix B seemed to overstate expenses by $500,000 by double-counting OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) on top of the health insurance total. Appendix B appears to overstate expenses by $500,000 by listing OPEB on top of the health insurance total, MacCready observed. Powers agreed to have the accounting department revisit the mechanics of the reports to ensure they jibe.

The Finance Committee also handled procedural business, including a review of 17 pages of records from a previous joint session. Motion Made by an unidentified member to accept the minutes of February 10, 2025. Motion Passed (7-0-0). With a March 31 deadline looming for final written recommendations on warrant articles, the committee added a placeholder meeting for March 18 to ensure all Select Board articles are captured before the final tally.