Boaters using Harwich waters will face a new tiered rate structure this season following a public hearing Tuesday night where the Select Board authorized a 15 percent fee increase for non-taxpayers. Harbor Master John Harker presented the overhaul, which limits the increase to 5 percent for Harwich property owners while significantly raising the stakes for those outside the tax rolls. Harker explained that the department will initially bill all recreational slip leases at the higher 15 percent rate, requiring boaters to provide proof of taxpayer status by December 1 to receive a 10 percent discount. We determined a near equal revenue adjustment from the blanketed 10 percent... to a revised 5 percent for taxpayer and a 15 percent for non-taxpayer, Harker said, noting that vessel registrations must match the name on the real estate tax bill to qualify for the lower rate.

The fee restructuring drew scrutiny from residents and board members alike. Resident Herb Raphael pointed to the cumulative effect of inflation, noting that prices have climbed over 22 percent in the last five years and suggesting fees should compensate for that gap. Meanwhile, board member Anita Doucette raised concerns about year-round residents who do not own property. Some people like they've sold their house, they still live here, they have a boat, Doucette said. Have you taken into account what renters could have because they live here year round? Despite these questions, the board moved to formalize the new definitions and rates. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to approve the harbor fee increases and definitions as presented by the Harbor Master. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

The board also took a major step toward long-delayed infrastructure improvements by authorizing the acquisition of land interests through eminent domain for the Harwich Elementary Safe Routes to School project. DPW Director Link Hooper explained that while MassDOT covers construction costs for the sidewalks on Main, South, and Sisson Streets, the town must pay $144,050 for right-of-way acquisitions. Craig Sheen, a MassDOT compliance officer, noted that federal regulations regarding mortgage holders often make formal land takings more practical than simple donations. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to adopt an order of taking for the purpose of acquiring by eminent domain interest in land in connection with the Harwich Elementary Safe Routes to School project and to award damages. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

In a potential shift for local conservation and culture, Natural Resources Director Stephanie Radnar proposed reopening the town's herring run for a limited, sustainable harvest—the first such opening since the run was closed decades ago. Radnar’s plan allows for 150 permits and a harvest capped at less than 4 percent of the run's mean, well below state-allowed limits. What we are proposing is incredibly more conservative... than what the sustainable fishery management plan actually would allow the town to do, Radnar said. It allows us to get our feet wet, have a cultural celebration around it. Chair Donald Howell, reflecting on the town's history with the run, added, We were the first place to close the run... it's kind of fitting that we're back again to talking about the culture and opening it back up again. The board reached a consensus to hold a formal public hearing on the regulations on March 16.

Fiscal policy dominated much of the evening as Finance Director Jennifer Hewitt introduced the town’s first formal credit card policy to manage P-Cards. The move aims to tighten internal controls by requiring pre-authorization for non-standard purchases and shifting accountability to department heads. Vice Chair Peter Piekarski advocated for keeping specific administrative forms out of the formal policy text so they could be updated by staff as needed. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to move the credit card policy (policy text only) to a second reading. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

The board further sharpened its financial boundaries regarding the sinking fund generated by the sale of Queen Road properties. Following past debates over whether these funds should be used for capital projects like the Cultural Center roof, Chair Howell insisted on a formal restriction. We're not going to use that fund for anything but land stuff, Howell stated. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to affirm the sinking fund for Queen Road properties is restricted to land or escrow accounts for property acquisition. Motion Passed (5-0-0). The board also opted to return the broader Capital Plan to the Capital Planning Committee to allow for more granular review of emergency dredging and zoning requests. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to return the Capital Plan to the Capital Planning Committee for further review. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

Housing remains a high-tension topic, with Vice Chair Piekarski providing updates on three major projects: West Harwich Square (5 units), Penrose (60 units), and Pine Oaks 4 (50 units). The discussion highlighted the massive disparity in town funding per unit, with Member Jeffrey Handler asking, West Harwich Square gets $275,000 per unit. The other ones get 8,000 or 20,000. Why such a big spread? Resident Matt Sudin voiced frustration with the scale of the developments, stating, We don't want big boxes. Richard Waystack of the Charter Commission warned that without reaching Safe Harbor status, the town remains vulnerable to state-mandated 40B projects. Chair Howell concluded that the town needs to push back against state pressure to ensure the housing we need, not the housing they want.

In other business, the board corrected a clerical error regarding the purchase of two 2025 Ford Explorers for the police department. Interim Town Manager and Police Chief Kevin Considine noted the vehicles are funded by insurance recoveries after two administrative cruisers were totaled last summer. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to approve a contract with Colonial Ford for the purchase of two 2025 Ford Explorers in the total amount of $115,347.40. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Clerk Mark Kelleher also requested a correction to previous minutes, noting, I have one edit on the minutes... I was not present on the call to order. Motion Made by P. Piekarski to approve the select board meeting minutes from February 9, 2026, as amended. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

DPW Director Link Hooper notified residents that the transfer station floor is undergoing two weeks of repairs. While the facility remains open, Hooper noted that extra staff there to assist people has been deployed to manage residential traffic flow during the construction. Town Clerk Emily Mitchell also invited residents aged 5 to 18 to participate in an I voted sticker design contest, with a dedicated design event scheduled at the community center.