Concerns over escalating education costs dominated Monday’s Select Board meeting as members moved to stall an $11.5 million borrowing article for the Monomoy Regional Middle School and signaled a hard line against the district’s proposed FY26 budget. The board’s refusal to place the school restoration project on the upcoming Annual Town Meeting warrant highlights a deepening rift between town leadership and school district administration over fiscal sustainability.

The board scrutinized a 5.27% increase in the Monomoy school assessment, which Chair Donald Howell noted outpaces the town’s own operating budget growth. The overall Monomoy budget is 4.67% higher than the entire operating cost for the town of Harwich. That is a sobering fact, Howell said. He specifically pointed to staffing ratios within the district, stating that for every teacher in Monomoy, you will see just over 1.3 non-teaching counterparts. Monomoy runs at 46% teachers and 54% non-instructional staff.

Vice Chair Peter Piekarski echoed the need for the district to justify its spending before the town commits to further tax burdens. I don't know that this board wants to start to manage their budget, but we are requesting they examine it and sharpen their pencil, Piekarski said, adding that a 10% operating increase within the school's internal figures seems excessive. Member Mark Kelleher expressed frustration with the annual cycle of rising costs, noting, Every year we hear from the school it's going to get better, but every year they put on paper everything they want. I can no longer support the 'it'll get better next year' argument.

The tension culminated in a Motion Made by D. Howell to place the $11.5 million Monomoy Regional Middle School restoration project on the warrant. The Motion Failed for lack of a second, effectively blocking the item from the current draft of the warrant. Howell expressed reluctance to put the borrowing before voters without clearer details, stating, There's no certainty about what it is they want us to actually put in front of town meeting right now. I have no interest in placing this given the time they've given us to make a decision.

In another move to retain local control, the board reached a consensus to strike an article regarding the state’s new Seasonal Community designation. Despite a preliminary designation from the Governor’s office, board members remained wary of state overreach into local housing policy. We're allowing the state to dictate what we do in our town, Kelleher remarked. I have zero confidence in what the state can do for us on this. Piekarski agreed, noting that the devil is in the details and that there was no immediate urgency to adopt the designation until state regulations are finalized.

Wastewater infrastructure remains a primary focus as GHD representative Mark Drainville provided an update on the town’s 20-year nitrogen removal goals. Drainville reported that Harwich is approximately 45% of the way toward its composite goal across five watersheds. However, he warned that identifying a groundwater recharge location on the west side of town remains a critical component yet to be resolved. Resident Diana Preston, representing local pond associations, urged the board not to delay Phase 3A wastewater funding for the Great Sand Lakes region. Surface water bodies are windows into the aquifer, Preston said, warning that further delays could exacerbate cyanobacteria blooms and increase long-term costs. A Motion Made by D. Howell to place the Great Sand Lakes construction article on the warrant was ultimately withdrawn to allow for more precise financial data to be presented next week.

The board also took steps to increase transparency in the town's operating budget by directing staff to phase out certain revolving funds. Members specifically targeted the fund for the Cultural Center at 204 Sisson Road, arguing that predictable costs like custodial salaries should be part of the general budget rather than separate accounts. I'm a purist on these revolving funds, Howell said. They've morphed into something quite different. Things you can account for year in and year out should be in the actual budget. Interim Town Manager Kevin Considine confirmed the change was mechanically possible, though he cautioned that the transition should be handled carefully so as not to inadvertently hurt the programming at the center.

Administrative preparations for Town Meeting included a decision to shuffle the order of articles to ensure high-interest petitioned items are heard early. Kelleher noted that under the current draft, many petitioned articles were at the very end. We have the ability to spend $100 million in 20 minutes and then talk about banning fertilizer for two and a half hours, Kelleher said. We should put some of these the first night when we have a full quorum.

Other warrant actions included the approval of several capital and financial articles. Motion Made by M. Kelleher to place articles F5 and F6 (Water and Wastewater budgets) on the warrant. Motion Passed 4-0. The board also moved forward with Community Preservation Act funding, with a Motion Made by M. Kelleher to place and adopt articles CP1 through CP2 on the warrant. Motion Passed 4-0. Additionally, the board moved to support safety improvements near the elementary school, with a Motion Made by M. Kelleher to place and adopt article G5, the Safe Routes to School project, on the warrant. Motion Passed 4-0. Finally, the Motion Made by M. Kelleher to place the Capital Outlay Plan (CO1) on the warrant Passed 4-0.

In community news, Considine offered condolences on the passing of Cape Cod RTA Executive Director Tom Cahir, calling him a giant and a great friend to the community. Howell also shared a letter from a visitor praising the warm welcome and assistance provided by staff at the community center, library, and fire department. During public comment, Patrick Aon read a message from a local teacher highlighting the impact of Sky, a therapy dog, on students facing trauma at home. Your visits are so special and important to them, the teacher wrote.