The Harwich Local Planning Committee has shifted its sights toward a Fall Special Town Meeting to finalize the Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP), opting for a more robust public outreach campaign over a rushed presentation this spring. During Tuesday’s meeting, members expressed concerns that the current 750-page document remains too dense for public consumption and requires significant refining before it can be presented to voters.

Consultant Sharon Rooney warned that meeting the April deadline for the May Annual Town Meeting warrant was nearly impossible, noting that two months is not much time to finish the capital plan and prioritize action items. Committee member David Spitz recommended a revised timeframe, suggesting the group aim for a final draft by the end of June. We should set a timeline to get a final draft ready by the end of June, including visuals, with the assumption it goes to a fall town meeting, Spitz said. Ed McManus supported the delay, noting that a fall session would have less noise from budget items and allow more room for specific bylaw recommendations stemming from the new state Housing Act.

To facilitate this transition, the committee will increase its meeting frequency. Motion Made by [Chair] to hold a committee meeting on March 18th for the purpose of workshopping the prioritization list and action items. Motion Passed (8-0). Brian Sheldon, participating virtually, stressed the importance of clear benchmarks, stating, I’m a little uncomfortable as to what the ‘end of job’ looks like. We have to have a clear defined set of projects prioritized and slotted into a timeline. Mary Jones suggested a high-level marketing video or short clips on major sections to better bring the community into the fold.

The committee also reviewed updates to the Housing Production Plan (HPP) following feedback from the Select Board. Director of Planning and Community Development Christine Flynn noted that she is refining language regarding the town’s role in development. McManus flagged a specific addition stating the town does not wish to be a developer. That shouldn’t preclude the town from taking on the role if the opportunity presents itself, McManus cautioned, though he ultimately agreed with the phrasing once Flynn clarified the intent was to avoid the town acting as a general contractor or property manager. Flynn also noted that while the town is working on projects at Bank Street and the former elementary school, those units cannot yet be counted toward the state’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI).

Community health and infrastructure gaps also took center stage. Barbara highlighted a recent health needs assessment for the lower cape that revealed eye-opening mental health data for residents in their 20s and 30s. Flynn described the statistics as staggering and noted that the Health Director, Terry Schroeder, believes the department should shift its focus toward broader community health rather than just septic systems. McManus suggested that a new bylaw could potentially create a revenue stream to fund necessary staffing for these expanded health services.

Regarding infrastructure, the committee moved to rename the Governance section of the LCP to Transparency to better reflect its goals. Sheldon noted that the shift away from the word governance occurred because it meant evil things to too many people, whereas the new focus is on tracking and accountability. Jones added that the goal is simply to ensure the plan does not end up as shelfware.

However, serious questions remain regarding how the town’s wastewater plans align with housing goals. McManus pointed out that West Harwich is currently slated for sewer expansion in Phase 7—roughly 20 years away—despite a current proposal for 40 housing units on just 1.5 acres in that area. Are we going to give one acre 40 units worth of sewage flow? McManus asked. We have to think through the land use implications of infrastructure decisions.

Earlier in the meeting, the committee addressed administrative housekeeping. Motion Made by [Unidentified Member] to approve the minutes of February 4, 2025, with corrections to committee names and date references. Motion Passed (8-0). Members Margo Fenn, Gary Karnes, Bernadette, and others participated in the discussions throughout the evening, ensuring various board perspectives were represented in the ongoing planning process.