Town Administrator James McGrail informed the Select Board on Monday that Harwich recently paid $1,014,112 in interest on its aggregate debt service, a figure that set the stage for a meeting focused on the high costs of infrastructure and procedural reforms following the Annual Town Meeting. The financial update came as the board reviewed ongoing sewer extensions and water main projects that continue to reshape the town's fiscal landscape. McGrail noted that while the Phase 3 sewer project remains on track, he felt nervous about the sheer volume of construction slated for the fall, adding, This fall, we're going to have multiple projects happening at the same time, which is a lot for a small town to deal with.

Water and Wastewater Superintendent Jason Trepanier provided a rare bright spot, announcing that the Massachusetts DEP granted Harwich the 2025 Water Award for perfect regulatory compliance and exceptional performance. Trepanier also alerted residents that the long-awaited Route 28 water main construction, stretching from South Street to the Herring River Bridge, will go out to bid in mid-September. The project will include curb-to-curb paving and new sidewalks. Vice Chair Peter Piekarski expressed concerns regarding the quality of previous paving in neighboring towns, stating, If you have driven on Route 28 in West Dennis, I hope that whoever does the work does a better job paving than what happened there. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to approve two new utility poles on Main Street passed 4-0, though the board expressed growing frustration with utility companies.

The conversation regarding utility infrastructure turned sharp when Chair Donald Howell criticized the prevalence of double poles and stub poles cluttering town streets. Just yesterday, I noticed three double poles on Queen Anne Road, Howell said. It would be really nice before they start putting up new poles to actually take care of the old poles. It's a sucker move for them to ask us to identify them for them. Member Jeffrey Handler agreed, suggesting that companies like Eversource and Verizon are not managing their inventory properly. We need to address it because they multiply like rabbits, Handler remarked. Piekarski suggested using the town’s approval power as a bargaining chip, noting that saying we're going to stop supporting new poles unless they help us resolve this problem is probably our leverage.

Reflecting on the recent Annual Town Meeting, board members signaled a desire to overhaul how citizen petitions reach the floor. Chair Howell expressed disappointment with the current process, suggesting the town adopt a coaching model similar to Brewster’s to assist residents with the legal and technical aspects of their proposals before deadlines pass. Member Handler voiced concerns over counterfactual information being shared during debates, specifically regarding form-based code. Some great ideas didn't get the vetting they deserved, Handler said. We need a multi-stage filtration system. Resident Michael McKascal echoed these concerns, warning the board that false information is key at town meeting and that the community is losing voters because they can't deal with another night of exhausting conversation.

In a move to streamline town governance, the board formally closed a chapter of local planning history. Motion Made by J. Handler to dissolve the Local Planning Committee effective immediately passed 4-0. The committee recently finished its work on the Local Comprehensive Plan, a document Howell compared to the landmark 2000 plan. Member Mark Kelleher thanked the volunteers for their multi-year effort, stating, Thank you for all the work you put forward. It was a wonderful plan. Committee Chair McIntyre urged the administration to use the document as a live roadmap, asking for periodic check-ins on its implementation.

The board also tackled fees and permits, ultimately rejecting a request for a fee waiver from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC). Kelleher and Piekarski questioned why an organization with substantial means should be exempt from standard town fees. Motion Made by J. Handler to approve the fee waiver was withdrawn after board members suggested the organization pay like any other group. On the commercial front, the board paved the way for a new adult-focused restaurant in Harwich Port. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to grant a seasonal all-alcohol liquor license to Three Harbors Coastal Kitchen at 575 Route 28 passed 4-0. Attorney Matthew Kelly and owner Frank [Last Name Unknown] described the project as a farm-to-table establishment targeting a Fourth of July opening. Food is our big focus, the owner told the board, noting the restaurant will feature 100 seats and on-site parking.

Environmental updates included a report from Natural Resources Director Stephanie Rydenower, who confirmed the herring run has surpassed the 400,000-fish threshold required for harvesting. Resident permits are still available at the office, Rydenower said, scheduling the next harvest for May 17. The board also expanded local shellfish efforts. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to approve a 0.03-acre aquaculture license for Aquaculture Research Corporation in the Herring River passed 4-0. During public comment, resident Cannean Resident raised alarms regarding senior services, claiming a 92-year-old was barred from a Council on Aging bus because she was not attending a specific program. That is unacceptable, the resident said. Her taxes help pay for that bus.