Harwich public meetings in 2024

General

The agenda consists of procedural boilerplate. No specific projects, ordinances, or decisions are listed for this meeting.

Traffic Safety Committee

The Harwich Traffic Safety Committee discussed Courtney Road traffic and safety issues, including speeding, large vehicles, and requests for radar signs and a stop sign, but took no formal votes. They also reviewed safety concerns at Depot/Route 28 and agreed to hold changes until after a nearby intersection project is completed. The committee scheduled quarterly meetings for 2025.

• Scheduled quarterly meetings for 2025 (March, June, September, December)
• Agreed to hold changes on South/Forest until after intersection project completion
• Deferred approval of September 9, 2024 minutes to next meeting
• Agreed to review speed limit options for Route 39 stretch

Real Estate and Open Space Committee

The committee met and heard a status report from Assessing Director Carlene Jones on the Assessing Parcel Location and Identification Project, funded by Article 39 (2022 town meeting) with $500,000 appropriated. No formal decisions or votes were taken during the regular meeting; the only action was a roll call vote to enter executive session at the start. The committee discussed progress, challenges with miscellaneous parcels, and next steps for title search contracts.

• Entered executive session by roll call vote (all in favor)
• Adjourned meeting by motion (all in favor)

Cemetery Commission

The Harwich Cemetery Commission voted unanimously to postpone the Raised Platform Boardwalk Project until next year due to title concerns and the need for a better engineered map. They also discussed a $37,000 Community Preservation Committee article for monument conservation, which the Historical Commission approved. The commission made several decisions on signage placement and plans for the Walk of Remembrance.

• Postponed Raised Platform Boardwalk Project until next year (unanimous)
• Discussed $37,000 CPC article for monument conservation (Historical Commission approved)
• Decided on 6x1 foot stone for Walk of Remembrance, details to be decided in January
• Decided sign placements: Smith Cemetery outside fence, Harding/Ryder at back of lot, Lothrop Avenue outside fence
• Planned Pre-Planning Seminar in March with Julie
• Agreed to enforce cemetery rules, announced at Select Board Meeting, in Chronicle, and on Channel 8
• Received quote from J & J Signs, to be considered after Walkway completion

Community Preservation Committee

The Harwich Community Preservation Committee heard presentations on four FY2026 funding requests (Lower Cape Housing Institute $10,000, Brooks Infield Replacement $143,000, Sand Pond Restroom additional $33,000, Veterans Memorial Field Shade Structure reduced to $90,000) but took no votes on them. The committee discussed but took no action on the Board of Selectmen's idea to redirect a portion of CPA funds to a wastewater infrastructure fund (WIFF), deciding to wait for the BOS. The committee also reviewed a financial truing-up plan with Markum LLC and voted unanimously to add a January 23, 2025 meeting to receive financial reports before voting on projects.

• Approved minutes of Nov. 14 and Dec. 5, 2024 meetings (7-0)
• Took no vote on WIFF proposal; will wait for BOS action
• Heard financial truing-up plan from Markum LLC; no vote taken
• Heard four FY2026 project presentations; no votes taken
• Added Jan. 23, 2025 meeting to receive financial reports (8-0)
• Adjourned at 8:01 PM (8-0)

Local Planning Committee

The Local Planning Committee approved the November 4, 2024 minutes and discussed the Housing Production Plan (HPP) with the select board, which took a non-vote position and requested a joint meeting. The committee also reviewed feedback from town committees and an early draft of the Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP), aiming to have it ready for Town Meeting in May. No final decisions were made on the HPP or LCP content.

• Approved November 4, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous roll call)
• Discussed HPP with select board; select board took non-vote position and requested joint meeting
• Reviewed early LCP draft; no formal action taken
• Discussed including governance section in LCP; no vote
• Scheduled next meeting for January 7, 2025

Cemetery Commission

The Harwich Cemetery Commission unanimously approved naming two roads in the cemetery: Peace Path and McKenney Path, the latter in memory of Cindy Eldredge's parents. The commission also awarded a contract for the Walk of Remembrance to Lawrence Lynch and approved attendance at the New England Cemetery Conference. Several other items were discussed but not decided, including drafting non-compliance letters and a website for the Veteran's Memorial.

• Approved naming road from Veteran's Circle to connecting road 'Peace Path' (unanimous)
• Approved naming connecting road to old section 'McKenney Path' (unanimous)
• Awarded Walk of Remembrance contract to Lawrence Lynch
• Approved Robbin Kelley's attendance at New England Cemetery Conference (unanimous)

Bikeways Committee

The Harwich Bikeways and Pedestrian Committee approved sending a letter to Link Hooper about resurfacing and possible re-routing of the rail trail, with a follow-up meeting and map. They discussed funding for safety equipment (helmets, lights, bells), including potential donations from local groups, and considered expanding the committee's role to promote cycling and walking. The next meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2025, pending confirmation of the monthly meeting mandate.

• Approved sending letter to Link Hooper about rail trail resurfacing/re-routing
• Scheduled follow-up meeting with map and possible Water Department invite
• Discussed J-1 safety equipment funding; Paul to contact Ed McManus for donation
• Fred to check committee's ability to fundraise
• Next meeting set for February 11, 2025, pending monthly mandate
• Alain to include expanded role and trail incident in Select Board presentation

Harwich Housing Authority

The Harwich Housing Authority Board approved its 2025 budget, which includes funds for new office computers, and also approved the FYE 9/30/2024 financial report, warrant #2024.10, and the Executive Director's November 2024 report. The meeting was routine with no old business or public comments.

• Approved 2025 budget including new computers (unanimous)
• Approved FYE 9/30/2024 financial report (unanimous)
• Approved warrant #2024.10 (unanimous)
• Accepted Executive Director's November 2024 report (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of July 24, 2024 (3-0-1, Bourgea abstained)

By-Law/Charter Review Committee

The By-Law/Charter Review Committee met and approved the September 10, 2024 minutes. They discussed a proposed charter amendment requiring an external audit when a finance director is hired or leaves, as requested by Dave Nixon, with Chair Cebula to review it for the next meeting. The committee also reviewed recommended changes to Chapter 7 sections on the Council on Aging, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Cemetery, and noted missing minutes on the town website.

• Approved minutes of September 10, 2024 (3-0)
• Discussed charter amendment for external audit on finance director changes (no vote)
• Reviewed recommended changes to Chapter 7 §8, §12, §15 (no vote)

Waterways Committee

The Harwich Waterways Committee will decide on two new requests: installing a memorial bench at Saquatucket Harbor and increasing the passenger limit for Cap'n Kids Fishing Adventures. It will also review a proposed bulkhead replacement, dredging, and float installation for a scallop farm at River Bend Road.

• Request to install Memorial Bench at Saquatucket Harbor in honor of John F. Clancy
• Request to increase allowable passengers aboard Cap'n Kids Fishing Adventures
• Proposed Bulkhead Replacement, Dredging and Install of Floats for Scallop Farming at 11 River Bend Road
• September 2024 Financial Report review
• Next meeting scheduled for November 20, 2024

Bikeways Committee

The Harwich Bikeways Committee met on October 15, 2024, and approved the September minutes. The committee decided to send a letter to the Highway Department with suggestions for the 2027 rail trail improvements, with Charlie Walkley drafting it. They also discussed funding for helmets and lights for J-1's after being deemed ineligible for a CPA grant, and noted the lack of a single source for bicycle accident data. No formal votes were taken on these items.

• Approved September 2024 meeting minutes
• Proposed sending a letter to Highway Department with rail trail improvement suggestions, including map; Charlie Walkley to draft
• Established process for reporting rail trail problems via email to Paul with photos
• Noted ineligibility for CPA grant for helmets/lights; will seek alternative funding

Cemetery Commission

The Harwich Cemetery Commission approved the purchase of one new mower for $9,000, with a unanimous vote, and agreed to revisit buying another after the new year. They also voted to draft an enforcement letter to lot owners in non-compliance with rules, citing safety and debris concerns. Other items discussed included a groundbreaking for the Walk of Remembrance, engraving cemetery signs, and a proposed raised walkway at Island Pond Marceline Arboretum.

• Approved purchase of one new mower for $9,000 (unanimous)
• Approved drafting an enforcement letter to non-compliant lot owners (unanimous)
• Accepted minutes for July and September (unanimous)

Waterways Committee

The Waterways Committee voted to continue discussion of the proposed bulkhead replacement, dredging, and float installation at 11 River Bend Road to a future meeting, after the applicant presented last-minute plan changes. The committee also approved the August 21, 2024 minutes and discussed potential split fees for non-taxpayer slip and mooring rates, but took no action on rates.

• Approved minutes of August 21, 2024 (5-0)
• Continued discussion of 11 River Bend Road project to next meeting (4-0)

General

The By-Law Charter Review Committee approved the July 9, 2024 minutes (3-0) and discussed a resident's request for audits around finance director transitions. The committee also agreed to a joint meeting with the Select Board before the Annual Town Meeting and reviewed proposed changes to Chapter 7 sections.

• Approved minutes of July 9, 2024 (3-0)
• Agreed to hold joint meeting with Select Board before Annual Town Meeting
• Reviewed recommended changes to Chapter 7 §5 (Planning Board) and §7 (Conservation)

Waterways Committee

The committee approved a proposed dock renewal and reconfiguration at 35 Snow Inn Road (project #23-9000) with a 7-0 vote. A separate proposal for a bulkhead replacement, dredging, and floats for scallop farming at 11 River Bend Road was tabled until the applicant provides additional studies and alternatives. The committee also approved the March 20, 2024 minutes with a spelling correction.

• Approved dock renewal and reconfiguration at 35 Snow Inn Road (7-0)
• Tabled bulkhead replacement and scallop farming floats at 11 River Bend Road pending more information (7-0)
• Approved March 20, 2024 minutes with spelling correction (7-0)

By-Law/Charter Review Committee

The By-Law/Charter Review Committee approved minutes from May 14, 2024, and reassigned charter review sections among remaining members. The committee also reviewed Chapter 7 sections 1-3 with recommended language changes, and unanimously elected new officers.

• Approved minutes from May 14, 2024 (3-0)
• Reassigned charter review sections to Doucette and Sementa
• Reviewed Chapter 7 sections 1-3 with recommended language changes
• Elected Linda Cebula as Chair, Anita Doucette as Vice Chair, Deborah Sementa as Recording Secretary (unanimous)