MassVoter.com← HarwichMunicipal votes · 2019–2020 Board
Harwich Select Board
How the Harwich Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Stephen Ford joined the board after the May 2019 town election; Julie Kavanagh left. The town has not posted any minutes from May to December 2019, so the 2019 reorganization vote is not here; minutes from 2020 show Larry Ballantine as Chair and Edward McManus as Vice Chair. The 2020 town election was moved to June because of COVID-19. Covers 34 meetings, January 6 to July 6, 2020.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetBoard years
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From the agendas Harwich posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
What Town Meeting decided
In Harwich, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.
Annual Town Meeting · May 4, 2026 62 votes: 47 passed, 1 passed as amended, 11 failed, 3 indefinitely postponed
Sessions: May 4 and 5, 2026
- Art. 1 Choose various Town officers and committees Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 350, No: 6”
- Art. 2 Hear reports of Town officers and committees for 2025 Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 373, No: 8”
- Art. 3 Set salaries of elected officials for FY2027 Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 4 Town operating budget for FY2027: appropriate $51,763,298 Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 365, No: 50”
- Art. 5 Monomoy Regional School District assessment for FY2027: raise $33,104,137 Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 389, No: 42”
- Art. 6 Approve $11,801,239 Monomoy Regional School District borrowing for Middle School roof Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 396, No: 40”
- Art. 7 Transfer $47,139 from Educational Cable Access Fund for high school TV studio equipment Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 8 Transfer $137,954 from Educational Cable Access Fund for fiber and press box PA system Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 9 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School assessment for FY2027: raise $1,828,391 Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 10 Water Department operating budget for FY2027: $5,442,329 Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 11 Wastewater Department operating budget for FY2027 Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 12 Transfer $890,000 from free cash for miscellaneous appropriations Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 13 Transfer $20,000 for Chase Library and Harwich Port Library Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 14 Pay $16,205.20 in prior-year unpaid bills Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 15 Authorize Select Board to evaluate possible acquisition of the former Marceline Salvage Yard (about 29 acres) Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 283, No: 120”
- Art. 16 Adopt the FY2027–FY2031 Capital Outlay Plan Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 17 Appropriate $700,000 for road maintenance and improvements Passed “The motion carried with the necessary 2/3 majority. · Yes: 337, No: 37”
- Art. 18 Appropriate $577,500 for a new ambulance Passed “the Moderator ruled the vote received the necessary 2/3 majority and carried.”
- Art. 19 Appropriate $425,000 for a new Harbormaster boat replacing two boats Passed “The motion carried with the necessary 2/3 majority. · Yes: 285, No: 22”
- Art. 20 Appropriate $1,000,000 for design of a new DPW facility and mechanical workshop Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 159, No: 172”
- Art. 21 Reappropriate $1,109,721.33 of unspent capital balances to FY2027 capital requests Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 22 Transfer $320,000 from Waterways Fund for capital projects Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 23 Transfer $915,369.53 from water retained earnings for well, treatment plant and equipment Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 24 Capital projects: transfer $2,495,410 from free cash Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 231, No: 55”
- Art. 25 Transfer $45,000 from PEG fund for Harwich Channel remote meeting cart Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 26 Petition: add a Scenic Roads section to the General Bylaws Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 122, No: 239”
- Art. 27 Adopt an updated Local Comprehensive Plan Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 304, No: 29”
- Art. 28 Petition: bar fee waivers, tax reductions or other incentives for future development projects Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 112, No: 211”
- Art. 29 Adopt a bylaw to protect Town funds and document development impacts Indefinitely postponed “The article was indefinitely postponed.”
- Art. 30 Transfer $5,000 for the Historic District Historic Commission preservation award Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 31 Ask the Legislature for a special act restricting fertilizer application in Harwich Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 173, No: 130”
- Art. 32 Home rule petition to restrict use of SGAR rodenticides Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 210, No: 57”
- Art. 33 Community Preservation: FY2027 budget and reserves Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 34 Community Preservation: $50,000 for committee administrative expenses Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 35 Community Preservation: $10,000 for Lower Cape Housing Institute Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 170, No: 76”
- Art. 36 Community Preservation: $650,000 for the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 213, No: 75”
- Art. 37 Community Preservation: $100,000 for Pennrose project at 0 Meetinghouse Road, Chatham Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 66, No: 212”
- Art. 38 Community Preservation: $100,000 for Pennrose project on Main Street, Chatham Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 52, No: 220”
- Art. 39 Community Preservation: $667,500 for West Harwich Baptist Church exterior renovation Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 265, No: 13”
- Art. 40 Community Preservation: $225,000 for Robbins Pond property acquisition Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 41 Community Preservation: $197,260 for fields irrigation project Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 42 Community Preservation: $35,793.50 for water quality equipment replacement Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 43 Community Preservation: $25,107.89 for shellfish lab updates Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 44 Community Preservation: $138,000 for Hinckley's Pond diagnostic assessment Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 45 Petition: add a Tree Preservation Bylaw to the General Bylaws Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 50, No: 200”
- Art. 46 Petition: Select Board oversight of tree removal in road setbacks instead of a Tree Warden Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 68, No: 166”
- Art. 47 Petition: amend Noise bylaw to regulate leaf blowers Failed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion did not carry.”
- Art. 48 Transfer $143,840.33 from PEG fund for Cape Cod Community Media Center Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried.”
- Art. 49 Supplement the Cultural Council (amended from $4,000 to $4,500) Passed as amended “The amended main motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 50 Petition: bar members of Town boards from serving on more than one board or committee Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 29, No: 190”
- Art. 51 Amend Affordable Housing Trust bylaw (Code Section 140) Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 52 Petition: recommend the Housing Trust prioritize assistance programs for certain groups Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 39, No: 173”
- Art. 53 Zoning: accessory dwelling unit rules (§325-14(T) and use table) Indefinitely postponed “The article was indefinitely postponed.”
- Art. 54 Zoning: special permit for single-family dwelling with accessory dwelling unit Indefinitely postponed “the article was indefinitely postponed.”
- Art. 55 Zoning: height and bulk rules for multifamily (§325-16 Table 3) Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 74, No: 17”
- Art. 56 Petition: prohibit multifamily special permits in low and medium density residential districts Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 66, No: 113”
- Art. 57 Zoning: remove §325-54(A)(5)(e) on replacing nonconforming structures Passed “The motion carried with the necessary 2/3 majority. · Yes: 112, No: 9”
- Art. 58 Zoning: amend §325-20 on stories for human use or occupation Passed “The motion carried with the necessary 2/3 majority. · Yes: 184, No: 9”
- Art. 59 Acquire a permanent easement for general municipal purposes Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried.”
- Art. 60 Set spending limits for revolving funds Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 61 Authorize lease purchase agreements for town equipment in the FY2027 budget Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 62 Herring fisheries Passed “The vote was taken by voice vote. The motion carried.”
Source: Town Clerk's results of the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting (full warrant).
Annual Town Meeting · May 5, 2025 57 votes: 49 passed, 1 passed as amended, 3 failed, 2 indefinitely postponed, 2 advisory
Sessions: May 5 and 6, 2025
- Art. 1 Choose various Town officers and committees Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 2 Hear reports of Town officers and committees for 2024 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 3 Set salaries of elected officials for FY2026 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 4 Town operating budget for FY2026: appropriate $48,127,931 Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 5 Monomoy Regional School District assessment for FY2026: raise $31,142,031 Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 6 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School assessment for FY2026: raise $2,116,618 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 7 Water Department operating budget for FY2026: $4,968,049 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 8 Wastewater Department operating budget for FY2026: $708,825 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 9 Approve $9,007,030 Monomoy Regional School District debt for Middle School siding and windows Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 10 Authorize lease purchase agreements for town equipment in the FY2026 budget Passed “the motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 11 Transfer $150,486.75 from PEG Access fund for Cape Cod Community Media Center Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 12 Petition: $125,000 from free cash for the Home Rule Charter Commission Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 188, No: 177”
- Art. 13 Adopt the FY2026–FY2030 Capital Outlay Plan Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 14 Capital projects: $101,000 from Cable PEG and Waterways funds Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 15 Capital projects: transfer $4,576,149 from free cash Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 16 Borrow $2,500,000 for Cranberry Valley Golf Course irrigation upgrade Passed “the Moderator ruled the vote received the necessary 2/3 majority and passed.”
- Art. 17 Transfer $100,000 from water retained earnings for pipe upgrades Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 18 Transfer $150,000 from wastewater retained earnings for capital items Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 19 Borrow $2,400,000 for a fire engine and two ambulances Passed “the Moderator ruled the vote received the necessary 2/3 majority and passed.”
- Art. 20 Borrow $35,000,000 for Phase 8 of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan Passed “The motion carried. · Yes: 288, No: 30”
- Art. 21 Accept state Clean Water revolving funds for Queen Anne Road sewer construction Indefinitely postponed “The article was indefinitely postponed.”
- Art. 22 Community Preservation: allocate additional prior-year funds to the three reserves Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 23 Community Preservation: FY2026 budget and reserves Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 24 Community Preservation: $50,000 for committee administrative expenses Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 25 Community Preservation: $10,000 grant to Lower Cape Housing Institute Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 26 Community Preservation: $500,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 27 Community Preservation: $120,000 grant for the Forward at the Rock project Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 28 Community Preservation: $37,015 for North Harwich gravestone preservation Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 29 Community Preservation: $500,000 to acquire a conservation restriction Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 30 Community Preservation: $168,000 for Herring River boardwalk Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 31 Community Preservation: $143,000 for Brooks Park infield replacement Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 32 Community Preservation: $33,000 for Sand Pond restroom Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 33 Community Preservation: $100,000 for Veterans Field shade project Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 34 Petition: hire a part-time tree warden under MGL Chapter 87 Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 35 Amend General Bylaw Chapter 125 (amended to remove only Article II) Passed as amended “The motion carried.”
- Art. 36 Petition: ask the Legislature for a special act restricting fertilizer application in Harwich Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 94, No: 134”
- Art. 37 Petition: ask the Legislature to let the Town adopt a Pesticide Reduction Bylaw Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 97, No: 112”
- Art. 38 Petition: add a Tree Preservation Bylaw to the General Bylaws Failed “The motion did not carry.”
- Art. 39 Non-binding resolution endorsing an annual Historic Preservation Award Advisory “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 40 Petition: rescind Select Board authority under 2022 Article 2 for 62 Route 28 (adopted as advisory only) Advisory “The motion carried.”
- Art. 41 Rescind $750,000 borrowing authorized under 2024 Article 19 Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 42 Transfer $600,000 from water retained earnings to paint Pleasant Lake Avenue water tank Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 43 Transfer $150,000 for engineering to find wastewater effluent recharge sites Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 44 Transfer $1,500,000 from affordable housing stabilization fund to the Housing Trust Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 45 Transfer $35,000 from free cash for electronic voting at Town Meeting Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 46 Pay $1,250.91 in prior-year unpaid bills Passed “the motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 47 Transfer $4,000 to supplement the Cultural Council Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 48 Transfer $20,000 for Chase Library and Harwich Port Library Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 49 Adopt MGL c.59 §5O affordable housing property tax exemption program Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 50 Accept cost-of-living increase to disabled veterans tax exemption (Clause 22I) Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 51 Reaffirm and extend tax abatement for National Guard and reservists (Clause 56) Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 52 Acquire road easements; transfer $200,000 from Chapter 90 funds Passed “the motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 53 Amend General Bylaw Chapter 8 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 54 Set spending limits for revolving funds Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 55 Amend General Bylaw Chapter 131 Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 56 Zoning: allow protected-use accessory dwelling units by right in RH-2 and RH-3 Indefinitely postponed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 57 Herring fisheries Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
Source: Town Clerk's results of the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting (full warrant).
Annual Town Meeting · May 6, 2024 53 votes: 48 passed, 4 failed, 1 indefinitely postponed
Sessions: May 6 and 7, 2024
- Art. 1 Choose various Town officers and committees Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 2 Hear reports of Town officers and committees for 2023 Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 3 Set salaries of elected officials for FY2025 (estimated $136,616) Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 4 Town operating budget for FY2025: appropriate $45,732,309 Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 5 Monomoy Regional School District assessment for FY2025: raise $29,876,982 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 6 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School assessment for FY2025: raise $2,204,820 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 7 Water Department operating budget for FY2025: $4,831,887 from water receipts Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 8 Wastewater Department operating budget for FY2025: $700,432 total Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 9 Approve $2,500,000 Monomoy Regional School District debt for Middle School exterior siding Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 10 Petition: adopt a Tree Preservation Bylaw (amended on the floor) Failed “The motion did not carry.”
- Art. 11 Transfer $158,273 from PEG Access fund for Cape Cod Community Media Center Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 12 Authorize lease purchase agreements for town equipment in the FY2025 budget Indefinitely postponed “The article was indefinitely postponed.”
- Art. 13 Petition: ask the Legislature to let the Town adopt a Pesticide Reduction Bylaw (amended on the floor) Failed “The motion did not carry.”
- Art. 14 Petition: ask the Legislature for a special act restricting fertilizer application in Harwich Failed “The motion did not carry.”
- Art. 15 Petition: resolution supporting a public swimming pool and facilities at the Community Center Failed “The motion did not carry. · Yes: 134, No: 166”
- Art. 16 Adopt the FY2025–FY2029 Capital Outlay Plan, with additions to FY2025 projects Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 17 Capital projects: transfer $47,863 from Cable PEG Fund and $240,000 from Waterways fund Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 18 Capital projects: transfer $2,892,000 from free cash Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 19 Water capital projects: appropriate $2,402,000 ($1,652,000 retained earnings, borrow $750,000) Passed “the motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 20 Wastewater capital projects: transfer $75,000 from retained earnings Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 21 Acquire a conservation restriction on 9.6 acres at 1039 Route 28 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 22 Acquire land; spend $1,505,001 from Sale of Land fund Passed “the motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 23 Amend 2023 Annual Town Meeting Article 24 vote to allow a conservation restriction Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 24 Community Preservation: FY2025 budget and reserves Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 25 Community Preservation: $39,000 for beach AED equipment Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 26 Community Preservation: $250,000 for Cold Brook Trailhead and public access Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 27 Community Preservation: $48,700 for mobile soccer pitch project Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 28 Community Preservation: $500,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 29 Community Preservation: $7,500 for Lower Cape Housing Institute Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 30 Community Preservation: $100,000 for Monomoy press box project Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 31 Community Preservation: $100,000 for Northwoods conservation restriction Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 32 Community Preservation: $400,000 for 203 Bank Street housing at the old fire station Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 33 Community Preservation: $150,000 for a conservation restriction (Red River Valley) Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 34 Community Preservation: $110,000 for senior softball field fence Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 35 Community Preservation: $23,000 for South Harwich cemetery gravestone project Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 36 Community Preservation: $37,000 for Veterans Field irrigation/electrical project Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 37 Repurpose $25,000 from 2013 Article 31 for Brooks Free Library work Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 38 Transfer $858,742 from wastewater retained earnings for FY2024 debt payments Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 39 Set spending limits for revolving funds Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 40 Transfer care and custody of 172 Queen Anne Road Passed “the Moderator ruled the vote received the necessary 2/3 majority and passed.”
- Art. 41 Transfer care and custody of 178 Queen Anne Road Passed “the Moderator ruled the vote received the necessary 2/3 majority and passed.”
- Art. 42 Transfer care and custody of 246 Queen Anne Road Passed “the Moderator ruled the vote received the necessary 2/3 majority and passed.”
- Art. 43 Amend General Bylaw §7-10 (composition of appointed Town agencies) Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 44 Amend General Bylaw Chapter 271 Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 45 Amend the Harwich Town Charter Passed “the motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 46 Petition: seek special legislation to amend Affordable Housing Trust bylaw to include attainable housing Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 47 Raise $20,000 for Chase Library and Harwich Port Library Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 48 Raise $50,000 for the Chamber of Commerce to promote the Town Passed “The motion carried.”
- Art. 49 Raise $4,000 to supplement the Cultural Council Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 50 Direct Moderator and Town Clerk to study electronic voting at Town Meeting Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 51 Amend 2023 Article 19 vote (West Harwich sewer main project) to cover other projects Passed “the motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 52 Transfer $100,000 for a sewer connection assistance grant program Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
- Art. 53 Herring fisheries Passed “The motion carried unanimously.”
Source: Town Clerk's results of the May 2024 Annual Town Meeting (full warrant).
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
Members
Donald HowellMember · Elected townwide · at 32 of 34 meetingsMichael MacAskillMember · Elected townwide · at 32 of 34 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Harwich Select Board minutes (called the Board of Selectmen until 2023) from January 8, 2018 through September 21, 2026: 2018 to January 2025 from the town’s archived Agendas & Minutes page, and January 2025 on from its agendas and minutes portal (CivicClerk). The archive goes back to 2012; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. Also loaded: joint meetings with other town boards and committees (only the Select Board’s own votes are counted). Not here: almost all of 2019 (the town has posted only seven sets of Select Board minutes for 2019, from February to April; minutes from January and from May to December 2019 are not online); minutes the town has not posted for about 151 other meeting dates since 2018 that have an agenda but no minutes (for example the Charter Commission joint meeting of November 6, 2025, the Monomoy School Committee joint meeting of December 11, 2025, January 26 and February 23, 2026, and the joint meeting with the Chatham Select Board on June 25, 2026); three executive-session minutes files that were posted in place of the regular minutes for March 5, March 19 and April 2, 2018 (the regular minutes for those dates are loaded); and every meeting after September 21, 2026. Most of Harwich’s minutes are scanned copies; MassVoter read them with text-recognition software and checked doubtful lines against the page images. Harwich’s minutes give the mover and seconder for each motion. Through 2019 they mostly say “the motion carried by a unanimous vote”; in 2020 and 2021 many votes are roll calls that list each member’s vote by name (“Mr. Howell - Yes”); since 2021 most votes give a count (“approved 5-0-0”, “Vote 4:0 in favor”), sometimes naming the members who voted no or abstained (“approved 4-1-0 (Handler opposed)”). When the minutes say a vote was unanimous, or the count matches the members present, we show every member present as voting yes; when they name the members who voted no or abstained, everyone else present as voting yes. Since 2025 the minutes often put one name in brackets after a split count (“approved 4-1-0 (Piekarski)”); we read that name as the member in the minority and say so in a note. Where the minutes give only a split count without names, a roll call leaves out a member who was there or names one who was not, or the count does not match the members present (for example “Vote 4:0” with five members present), we show the count only and add a note. Motions with no vote written down are shown with no count. Members who stepped aside (recused), had not yet arrived or had left are left out of that vote. Votes taken by other boards at joint meetings are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Jun 22He said that they have a motion and a…Motion: He said that they have a motion and a secondPassed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 22, 2020: He said that they have a motion and a second
He said that they have a motion and a second
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“He said that they have a motion and a second. All in favor, motion carried by unanimous vote.”
Jun 22They go forward with the recruitment, not to exceed…Motion: that they go forward with the recruitment, not to exceed $30…Passed 4–1 · see note
June 22, 2020: They go forward with the recruitment, not to exceed $30 per hour
That they go forward with the recruitment, not to exceed $30 per hour
The minutes give the count (4-1) and name Michael MacAskill, but the names and count do not match the members present. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved that they go forward with the recruitment, not to exceed $30 per hour. Seconded by Mr. McManus. Motion passed 4-1-0, with Mr. MacAskill abstaining.” (Motion: Howell, second: McManus)
Jun 15They approve the Ember Pizza, Inc. - Sunday Entertainment…Motion: that they approve the Ember Pizza, Inc. - Sunday Entertainment License…Passed 5–0 · see note
June 15, 2020: They approve the Ember Pizza, Inc. - Sunday Entertainment License - Renewal - 10OAM-12AM inside and 10AM - 10PM outside 600 Route 28, Harwich Port
That they approve the Ember Pizza, Inc. - Sunday Entertainment License - Renewal - 10OAM-12AM inside and 10AM - 10PM outside 600 Route 28, Harwich Port
The minutes give only the count (5-0-1), not how each member voted. 5 members were present.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved that they approve the Ember Pizza, Inc. - Sunday Entertainment License - Renewal - 10OAM-12AM inside and 10AM - 10PM outside 600 Route 28, Harwich Port. Seconded by Mr. McManus. Mr. Ballantine asked if this is a separate action from the hearings that Mr. Powers is overseeing and if they approve this if it would affect any decisions on that matter. Mr. Powers confirmed that it is separate. Mr. Ford also asked if this has anything to do with the topic of the live music restrictions that Ms. Eldredge talked about. Mr. Ballantine said that he understood that it would supersede this. Mr. MacAskill said that he thinks they should get a letter to sign off on, when they get their license that states it is as per the Governor's order, until the next phase or the Governor changes the order. Mt. Howell said that in addition until the restrictions are lifted, primarily they will all be operating outdoors and 10am on a Sunday is pretty early. Especially with a noise committee giving recommendations based on conditions the way they used to be. Mr. MacAskill said that it is his understanding that they are approving the entertainment licenses for the year. They are still going to require all of the COVID-19 monitoring. And he would also say if the noise committee is able to meet again, once this is lifted, they were going to come back with recommendations. This is re-doing the licenses from last year. Mr. Ballantine said in terms of the memo that Mr. MacAskill suggested, he does like adding that for live and recorded music. Mr. Powers asked for a sanction from the Board and clarification and continued conversation on the difference between live vs. recorded music. Mr. MacAskill said they should not change anything. Mr. Howell said he will not favor this, because of where they are doing this and the issue of being outdoors. Motion carried by a vote of 5-0-1.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: McManus)
May 26They postpone Annual Town Meeting from June 22, 2020…Motion: that they postpone Annual Town Meeting from June 22, 2020 to…Passed · see note
May 26, 2020: They postpone Annual Town Meeting from June 22, 2020 to September 28, 2020
That they postpone Annual Town Meeting from June 22, 2020 to September 28, 2020
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved that they postpone Annual Town Meeting from June 22, 2020 to September 28, 2020..” (Motion: MacAskill)
May 26Approve the bid award for tree work at the…Motion: To approve the bid award for tree work at the golf…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
May 26, 2020: Approve the bid award for tree work at the golf course of $34,998.00
To approve the bid award for tree work at the golf course of $34,998.00
The minutes name Stephen Ford as the seconder, but Stephen Ford is not on the attendance line, so no seconder is shown.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to approve the bid award for tree work at the golf course of $34,998.00. Seconded by Mr. Ford. All in favor, motion carried by unanimous vote.” (Motion: MacAskill)
May 18MacAskill requested that they bring this back towards the…Motion: MacAskill requested that they bring this back towards the end of…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
May 18, 2020: MacAskill requested that they bring this back towards the end of the meeting, so that they can keep the agenda going now
MacAskill requested that they bring this back towards the end of the meeting, so that they can keep the agenda going now
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“MacAskill requested that they bring this back towards the end of the meeting, so that they can keep the agenda going now. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Howell - Aye, Mr. MacAskill - Aye , Mr. Ford - Aye, Mr. McManus - Aye. Mr. Ballantine - Aye. Motion carried by unanimous vote.”
May 18Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Commonwealth of…Motion: To approve and authorize the Chair to sign Commonwealth of MA…Passed 4–1 · see note
May 18, 2020: Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Commonwealth of MA Dredging Program Grant award to the Town of Harwich for $36,000.00
To approve and authorize the Chair to sign Commonwealth of MA Dredging Program Grant award to the Town of Harwich for $36,000.00
The minutes give the result as 4-1, but the roll call reads: Donald Howell yes, Michael MacAskill yes, Stephen Ford yes, Larry Ballantine yes. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to approve and authorize the Chair to sign Commonwealth of MA Dredging Program Grant award to the Town of Harwich for $36,000.00. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Howell - Aye, Mr. MacAskill - Aye, Mr. Ford - Aye, Mr. Ballantine - Aye. Mr. McManus was not able to respond. Motion carried 4-1-0.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
May 11Renew the Seasonal Wine & Malt Liquor License -…Motion: To renew the Seasonal Wine & Malt Liquor License - Dockside…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 11, 2020: Renew the Seasonal Wine & Malt Liquor License - Dockside Seafood Shack, LLC doing business as Dockside Seafood Shack, 715A Route 28, Harwich, with a seating of 50
To renew the Seasonal Wine & Malt Liquor License - Dockside Seafood Shack, LLC doing business as Dockside Seafood Shack, 715A Route 28, Harwich, with a seating of 50
The minutes give the result as 4-0-1, but the roll call reads: Stephen Ford yes, Edward McManus yes, Donald Howell no, Michael MacAskill yes, Larry Ballantine yes. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. McManus said that he would like to make a motion to renew the Seasonal Wine & Malt Liquor License - Dockside Seafood Shack, LLC doing business as Dockside Seafood Shack, 715A Route 28, Harwich, with a seating of 50. Seconded by Mr. Ford. Mr. Ballantine said that he could not agree more with what Mr. MacAskill and Mr. Ford said. Mr. Howell said, though he realized that he was going to get colossally outvoted, he had just a couple of things for the record, so people remember how we got here. An RFP went out, which did not guarantee a liquor license. As soon as it came back with one offer, inexplicably no one that had the RFP understood that they were not going to be faced with being able to utilize three times as much property as they thought they would. Just so everyone knows and they don't get ahead of themselves, this colossal business that is going to help the town, is right next to a business that had to buy a location. Secondly, just to put it in perspective, the $24,000 plus that he was paying for lease payments, if we were expecting that to defray the harbor it would take a 100 years for that to occur. Mr. Howell continued that he was not impressed to help out funding a two plus million-dollar site. It was Mr. Clark and Mr. Griffiths that walked the property and extended the property. When you set a liquor license up, you have to attach a site plan, the site plan approved by the Planning Board does not get you the 50 seats. They have stretched a lot of things here, they opened without a certificate of occupancy last year, and he does not think other businesses would have been afforded. Mr. Howell said that he will vote against this, obviously it will pass four to one, but there is just so much wrong with this. Mr. Ballantine asked Mr. Joe Griffiths, lessee, for comment. Mr. Griffith said he wanted to make one comment to Mr. Howell. He said that the perimeter of the operating area that the Shack operates in, is attached to the lease. It was clearly delineated from the time the bid went in and the lease subsequently was drafted, negotiated and signed by the town. So, no secrets there. He would appreciate a yes vote for all the reasons that Mr. MacAskill has enumerated, which saved him a lot of time and he appreciates the assistance. Mr. Griffith believes that he has been a good neighbor and has provided an operation that the town can be proud of. The people like it, and he plans on continuing that same quality. Also, the 50 seats will likely end up to be 25 or 30 this summer, due to the Governor's policies with COVID-19. Mr. Ballantine told Mr. Howell that they could debate this for a long time. He agrees that there have been some mistakes, however it is a nice feature for Harwich Port. They don't need to debate this too much longer. Mr. MacAskill said he has no debate. In the beginning of this he agreed with Mr. Howell, but they passed it. This is a town facility and at this point they have to pay for. He would just like to make it clear that he is fine with the motion, although they are not just allowing 50 seats. With COVID-19, it has to follow the Governor's guidelines and it also needs to pass through the Planning Board. If the Planning Board comes back and says it can only be 16 seats, then it will need to be revisited. This should not be held up; small businesses are suffering. They took their time to get this in front of the Planning Board, and he does not believe they should make this person wait four more weeks. They should support the motion as it is now. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Ford - Aye, Mr. McManus - Aye, Mr. Howell - Nay, Mr. MacAskill - Aye, Mr. Ballantine - Aye. Motion carried by a vote of 4-0-1.” (Motion: McManus, second: Ford)
Apr 24Approve the Fire Station IT Security System Change Orders-Galaxy…Motion: To approve the Fire Station IT Security System Change Orders-Galaxy Integrated…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 24, 2020: Approve the Fire Station IT Security System Change Orders-Galaxy Integrated Technologies for a total of $1,523.72
To approve the Fire Station IT Security System Change Orders-Galaxy Integrated Technologies for a total of $1,523.72
The roll call does not give a vote for Edward McManus, who was at the meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to approve the Fire Station IT Security System Change Orders-Galaxy Integrated Technologies for a total of $1,523.72. Mr. McManus seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Howell - Yes, Mr. Ford - Yes, Mr. McManus - Y, Mr. MacAskill - Yes, Mr. Ballantine - Yes. Motion carried by unanimous vote.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: McManus)
Apr 24Authorize Mr. Powers, Interim Town Administrator, to execute an…Motion: To authorize Mr. Powers, Interim Town Administrator, to execute an extension…Passed 4–1 · see note
April 24, 2020: Authorize Mr. Powers, Interim Town Administrator, to execute an extension to the municipal power supply agreement, if the pricing is favorable, up to an additional three (3) years beyond the...
To authorize Mr. Powers, Interim Town Administrator, to execute an extension to the municipal power supply agreement, if the pricing is favorable, up to an additional three (3) years beyond the current contract expiration date of July 2021
The minutes give the result as 4-1, but the roll call reads: Donald Howell no, Stephen Ford yes, Michael MacAskill yes, Larry Ballantine yes. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. McManus moved to authorize Mr. Powers, Interim Town Administrator, to execute an extension to the municipal power supply agreement, if the pricing is favorable, up to an additional three (3) years beyond the current contract expiration date of July 2021. Mr. Ford seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Howell - No, Mr. Ford - Yes, Mr. MacAskill - Yes, Mr. Ballantine - Yes, Mr. McManus. Motion carried by a vote of 4-1.” (Motion: McManus, second: Ford)
From the Harwich Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s agendas and minutes portal (2025 on) and its archived Agendas & Minutes page (2012–2024). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: The Cape Cod Chronicle (William F. Galvin and file photos) and the Handler For Harwich campaign website.
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