Harwich property owners received a significant financial boost this week as the town secured nearly $1 million in state reimbursements to offset the principal costs of its ongoing wastewater expansion. Chair Donald Howell announced the news during the Select Board’s October 6 meeting, noting that two disbursements totaling nearly seven figures arrived to buy down capital borrowing for the sewer projects. When we tell you it’s important to put in for those fundings and that the state is going to buy down these projects, it’s true, Howell said, emphasizing the town's commitment to mitigating the fiscal impact of the multi-decade infrastructure overhaul.

The meeting opened with a somber tribute to community leader Izzy Thompson, who passed away last week. Member Jeffrey Handler requested a moment of silence for the woman he described as a true example of Harwich’s volunteer spirit. Izzy through her Pilgrim Congregational Church led a team called Izzy’s team that collected clothes, toiletries, and gift cards for the homeless and the hopeless on Cape Cod, Handler said, adding that she never looked for fanfare... she just quietly did her work and God’s work. Member Anita Doucette, who attended Thompson's service earlier that day, offered condolences to Thompson's husband, Allan, a long-serving former selectman.

Financial stability remained a central theme as Renee Davis and Romina Mameli of CBIZ presented the fiscal year 2024 audit. The town received an unmodified opinion, the highest level of assurance an audit firm can provide. Davis reported that the general fund increased by $1.5 million, though she highlighted a growing $41.2 million liability for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB), driven by updated mortality tables and healthcare cost estimates. Your financial statements are presented in accordance with GAAP, Davis noted, while Howell remarked that the processes and the internal controls being maintained are really important, and we’re pretty proud of being able to maintain that. Vice Chair Peter Piekarski questioned the depth of internal control reviews, leading Davis to explain that auditors randomly select transactions to ensure people aren’t going around the system. Resident John Chory requested that hard copies of the 173-page report be made available at Town Hall, noting, It’s hard to follow on my iPad.

In a milestone for local public safety, Interim Police Chief Kevin Considine presented two new student officers, bringing the department to within one person of its authorized 35-officer strength. Motion Made by M. Kelleher to appoint Shawn Driscoll and Jacob Rosado as student officers effective October 19, 2025. Motion Passed 5-0. I haven’t said that here in four, five, six years, Considine said regarding the near-full staffing level. Howell welcomed the recruits, telling them, All we ask for in return is that you uphold the highest ideals of the town.

The board shifted focus to the proposed 60-unit Penrose housing project at 456 Queen Anne Road, finalizing a 30-day review letter to the state. Acting Town Administrator Tony Schiavi noted the letter emphasizes the town's desire to negotiate the project's ingress and egress, specifically regarding access to Route 124. Resident Scott Norm voiced concern about the project's environmental footprint, stating he was surprised that there was no mention of hydrological studies or the potential use of advanced septic systems. Norm cautioned that the project sits near the Herring River headwaters and Hinckley’s Pond, urging the town to use the development as an opportunity to remove phosphorus and nitrogen. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to sign the 30-day review letter for the Penrose project. Motion Passed 5-0.

As the town prepares for the arrival of a permanent Town Administrator, the board moved to fill a critical vacancy in the front office. Schiavi requested authorization to begin recruiting an Assistant Town Administrator (ATA) following the departure of Megan Eldredge. If we have somebody that we trust that could mentor that person in the interim period, it would probably be advantageous, Howell said. Handler agreed, noting it would be smart of us to allow the acting town administrator to bring somebody in to advance that person so when the new TA lands, that person has had time under Tony. Motion Made by J. Handler to authorize the recruitment process for an assistant town administrator. Motion Passed 5-0.

Infrastructure work continues to move forward at Great Sand Lakes, with Kim Pashett of the Great Sand Lakes Association thanking the board for meeting the October 3 state revolving fund application deadline. To facilitate the Phase 3A sewer extension, the board finalized easements on Hummingbird Lane. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to adopt the order of taking for a sewer easement within Hummingbird Lane. Motion Passed 5-0. Additionally, the town prepared for the change of seasons by securing storage for its fleet. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to approve contracts for winter boat storage with Allen Harbor Marine Services for $43,367.50 and Harwichport Boatyard for $46,687.50. Motion Passed 5-0.

Town Clerk Emily Mitchell presented a second reading of a new policy requiring all board and committee volunteers to use town-issued email accounts for official business. The idea is that all sitting members will use that account and only that account... so that their personal accounts are free from town intervention, Mitchell explained. Howell clarified that the move is not intended to facilitate them secretly deliberating, but to ensure public records are properly archived. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to approve the second reading of the board and committee email policy. Motion Passed 5-0.

Efforts to preserve local landmarks also saw progress as the board addressed the South Harwich Meeting House. Member Mark Kelleher confirmed that administration had located necessary insurance documents to allow building repairs to proceed. A guest identified as Judy thanked the board and offered the Meeting House as a free alternative venue for town meetings, noting it is a jewel for the town with full audio-visual capabilities. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to approve the request for building repairs at the South Harwich Meeting House. Motion Passed 5-0.

Finally, the board addressed an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by former selectman Michael McKascal on September 29. Howell noted the documentation has been referred to town counsel for advice on next steps. The board also authorized sending its budget message to the Monomoy Regional School Committee. Motion Made by J. Handler to send the Select Board budget message to the Monomoy Regional School Committee and administration. Motion Passed 5-0.