The Harwich Select Board moved to commercialize the newly renovated kitchen at 204 Sisson Road on Monday, establishing a fee structure for local vendors and educators despite concerns regarding whether the rates are high enough to protect the town’s interests. The new policy sets a $500 monthly rental for vendors and a $45 per-class fee for instructional use, a move the Director of Cultural Affairs described as a limited-use approach rather than a full-scale commercial incubator.

Vice Chair Peter Piekarski raised several objections to the pricing, questioning whether $500 for unlimited monthly use during scheduled hours was sufficient. I actually think the monthly rental and the class instruction is a little low, Piekarski noted, adding that 500 for a monthly rental when they could use it up to five or six days a week seems very reasonable for the vendor but perhaps not the town. Select Board Member Michael MacAskill suggested the board could revisit the figures later, noting, You can always come back and change the rates if you feel like it's being abused. Motion Made by J. Kavanagh to approve the proposed kitchen rental rates at 204 Sisson Road. Motion Passed (4-1), with Piekarski casting the dissenting vote.

The evening was marked by significant tension regarding the future of the Housing Committee. M. MacAskill proposed an immediate pause of the committee’s meetings, citing redundancy with the Housing Trust and a recent decline in the tone of public discourse. It appears that it's turned more into a complaining session about people with second homes, MacAskill stated, recommending the board pause the meetings... review the charge, [and] come up with a charge with specific tasks for them to do in cooperation with the housing trust.

Housing Committee Chair Elizabeth Harder appeared before the board to address a controversial remark she made at a previous Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. I totally misspoke. I was talking to a very specific group of people when I said 'you people' and it was interpreted as I meant it to everyone, Harder said, offering an apology while clarifying that the committee remains focused on creating attainable housing for those earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income. Chair Donald Howell agreed that this missing middle remains a critical gap in Harwich, noting workforce housing is virtually non-existent and we could have something that is complementary to rather than competing for what we're trying to do with housing. Select Board Member Julie Kavanagh argued against a pause, suggesting instead a joint session between the various housing entities. The board opted to leave the final decision on the committee's status to the incoming board following the town election.

Resident frustration regarding the town’s transition to digital-first services resurfaced during public comment. Marjorie Price criticized the lack of progress on changing the senior beach sticker effective date from July 1st. I've seen nothing and I've heard nothing... the seniors are pissed off, Price said. This follows several weeks of digital friction at the Community Center as staff assist residents with the new online-only sales platform for beach and transfer station stickers. Chair Howell offered to discuss the matter privately with Price, noting that Town Administrator Joseph Powers had addressed the administrative timeline in a previous briefing.

The board also formalized the appointment of Stephanie Sykes as the new Natural Resource Director, effective June 1, 2025. Powers recommended Sykes as very qualified and very excited to have her join the team. Howell concurred after reviewing the candidates, stating Sykes is clearly qualified and welcome her as a great addition to the town. Motion Made by J. Kavanagh to affirm the Town Administrator's recommendation of Stephanie Sykes to the position of Natural Resource Director. Motion Passed (5-0).

Ongoing infrastructure projects and legal disputes occupied a significant portion of the session. Powers briefed the board on the Phase 3 sewer extension, noting that police and traffic controls remain active on Route 39 and Pleasant Bay Road. Meanwhile, a dispute over the Walther Road beach access stairs became heated as residents questioned contradictory legal advice from town counsel. A resident identified as Matt criticized the pursuit of a second legal opinion that suggests stairs might be permissible despite a deed restriction. Why did you need a second opinion? he asked. The second opinion was Swiss cheese gerrymandering. It was just giving you what you asked for. Piekarski defended the request, explaining that the first opinion was ambiguous and could be interpreted two different ways.

Regarding administrative leadership, the board signaled a shift in its search for a permanent successor to Joseph Powers, who departs June 30. Howell expressed a desire to move away from the UMass Collins Center for search services. I think we would be best served to listen to offers from some of the other search firms, Howell said. While the board deferred a final decision on an Acting Town Administrator to the next seated board, members praised Assistant Town Administrator Megan Eldredge for her current performance. Megan Eldredge is not only a rockstar of an employee, she's an amazing human, MacAskill said, though he maintained the next board should set its own leadership standards.

In other business, the board addressed maintenance plans for Round Cove and Hawkness Road. DPW Director Lincoln Hooper proposed grading and cutting back four feet of undergrowth. Piekarski worried this would lead to excessive clearing. The 4-foot undergrowth and protruding branches being cut back... that's an additional 8 feet potentially... [it] is significant, Piekarski said. MacAskill countered that the safety maintenance was routine: I don't really see this any differently as any other road and that swing mower gets an awful lot of use.

The board also facilitated the move of the annual Circus Smirkus event to the High School field at 75 Oak Street. Angie, representing the Harwich Children’s Fund, assured the board they are working to protect the turf. We're also working with Robert Childs to help us bring in more mats so that it would make it easier to get the trucks on and off the field, she said. Motion Made by J. Kavanagh to execute the owner's authorization form for a tent permit application for the Harwich Children's Fund event July 14-18, 2025. Motion Passed (5-0).

Finally, the board moved to support regional energy planning. Motion Made by M. MacAskill to approve the MOU between the Town of Harwich and Cape Light Compact for the Regional Energy Planning Assistant grant. Motion Passed (4-0-1).