Harwich voters will return to the community center on a traditional Monday evening this spring, as the Select Board opted for a May 4 date for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting. The decision followed a data-heavy presentation from Town Clerk Emily Mitchell, who revealed that Monday attendance historically outpaces Saturday turnouts by more than 100 voters. Mitchell noted that while some towns experimented with weekend meetings during the pandemic, most have returned to weekdays. Saturdays can be tough for families with children because of extracurricular activities, Mitchell explained. My takeaway was day isn't really the primary driver of participation. The board also confirmed that this year’s meeting will debut electronic voting clickers for the first time. Chair Donald Howell cautioned against changing too many variables at once, stating, It's probably more of a gamble than people might imagine to start to try to change the date while introducing new technology. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to set the 2026 Annual Town Meeting for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

Boaters using town slips may see a significant change in their invoices this year as Harbor Master John Harker proposed a bifurcated fee schedule that favors local taxpayers. Under the proposal, recreational slip fees would increase by 5% for residents but jump 15% for non-taxpayers, a group that currently holds 45% of the town’s slips. Harker noted that while Harwich cannot legally charge different rates for moorings, it can do so for slips to remain competitive with regional neighbors. Member Mark Kelleher spoke in favor of the distinction, noting, I think it's a nice thing for the residents to know that we're starting to zero in on the taxpayers versus non-taxpayers. However, resident Jan Raphael questioned if a 5% hike was enough to keep pace with the economy, suggesting that over five years that's 15%... which means you're giving a big discount to the slip owners. A formal public hearing on the new rates is scheduled for January 26.

The board also marked the completion of a three-year, $240,000 effort with the presentation of the final 300-page Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP). Planning Committee Chair Joyce McIntyre described the document as an amazing collection of data that prioritizes town actions based on impact and feasibility. Member Jeffrey Handler emphasized that the plan must serve as the town’s north star for future growth, stating, This document needs to be leaned on heavily with just about every decision this town makes that will determine our future. It keeps our seven villages in balance with each other. The plan now moves to the Planning Board and eventually to the floor of the May Town Meeting for adoption.

A request for a letter of support from the Wychmere Beach Club was abruptly withdrawn Monday night following sharp pushback from neighbors regarding a proposed 72-room hotel and restaurant expansion. Residents raised alarms over traffic safety on Snow Inn Road, which neighbor Bob Nickerson described as a top 5% crash cluster intersection. While the club’s representative, Stephen, offered to fund a sidewalk survey as mitigation, neighbors argued the road is too narrow to accommodate safe pedestrian passage. Following the heated exchange, the proponent withdrew the request before the board could vote. In other development news, the board moved to provide the town with expert oversight on a separate large-scale project. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to authorize the chair to sign the Chapter 40B technical review application for the Penrose comprehensive permit application for 465 Queen Anne Road. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

Financial planning for the coming year is intensifying, with the Interim Town Administrator reporting that free cash has been certified at nearly $4 million. A full FY2027 budget presentation is slated for January 12. Amid the business of the new year, the board paused to remember Angelo Lamontia, a long-serving official on the Planning and Select Boards. His love for the town of Harwich was obvious to those who knew him, Howell said during a moment of silence. The board also processed several administrative items, including a joint meeting scheduled for February 2 to fill a vacancy on the Regional School Committee. Member Anita Doucette highlighted a recent business notification, noting, The notification was received on December 29th for a December 31st closure for the Harwich Port House of Pizza, while thanking the staff for ensuring the request was eventually formalized. Motion Made by A. Doucette to approve a temporary closure for Harwich Port House of Pizza, 330 Route 28, starting December 31, 2025. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

The board also approved a new community event for the spring. Ed McManus of the Kiwanis Club presented plans for the Harwich Herring Run, a trail race around the West Reservoir to benefit scholarships and the Dream Day camp. Motion Made by A. Doucette to approve a special permit application for the Lower Cape Kiwanis Club for a one-day road race/trail run permit for April 26, 2026. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Additionally, the board set the window for residents and departments to submit articles for the spring meeting. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to open the annual town meeting warrant on January 5, 2026, and close it on February 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Motion Passed (5-0-0).