MassVoter.com← Harwich Select BoardHarwich Select Board · 2020–2021 Board · Regular meeting
August 31, 2020
23 recorded votes, 7 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Larry Ballantine, Stephen Ford, Michael MacAskill, Donald Howell, Edward McManus
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Enter into Executive Session
To enter into Executive Session
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to enter into Executive Session, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Affirm the contract for Interim Town Administrator effective September 1st, running for one year under such term as have been negotiated
To affirm the contract for Interim Town Administrator effective September 1st, running for one year under such term as have been negotiated
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to affirm the contract for Interim Town Administrator effective September 1st, running for one year under such term as have been negotiated, 2nd by Mr. McManus. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: Howell, second: McManus)
Open a public hearing for discussion and possible vote to state the Board of Selectmen's intention to consider a reduction of the quorum for the Annual Town Meeting as authorized by Chapter 92 of...
To open a public hearing for discussion and possible vote to state the Board of Selectmen's intention to consider a reduction of the quorum for the Annual Town Meeting as authorized by Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2020, Section 7
From the minutes
“Ford moved to open a public hearing for discussion and possible vote to state the Board of Selectmen's intention to consider a reduction of the quorum for the Annual Town Meeting as authorized by Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2020, Section 7, 2nd by Mr. MacAskill. Vote 5:00 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: Ford, second: MacAskill)
Close the public hearing and return to Board discussion
To close the public hearing and return to Board discussion
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to close the public hearing and return to Board discussion. 2nd by Mr. McManus. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: McManus)
A 2 part vote, the first is to pass a motion for their intention and reduce the quorum and he so moved
A 2 part vote, the first is to pass a motion for their intention and reduce the quorum and he so moved
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“a 2 part vote, the first is to pass a motion for their intention and reduce the quorum and he so moved, 2nd by Mr. Howell Mr. MacAskill commented that there are some important decisions to be made and he's not sure if even 150 is enough to make the decisions. He will not support a quorum reduction. Mr. Howell agrees with Mr. MacAskill and would not go below 100. He is expecting a robust turn out. Vote 4:1 by roll call. Motion carried.”
For the purposes of the Annual Town Meeting to be held o September 26, 2020 that the quorum number be reduced from 150 to 100
That for the purposes of the Annual Town Meeting to be held o September 26, 2020 that the quorum number be reduced from 150 to 100
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. McManus moved that for the purposes of the Annual Town Meeting to be held o September 26, 2020 that the quorum number be reduced from 150 to 100, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Vote 4:1 by roll call. Motion carried.” (Motion: McManus, second: Howell)
Approve the Consent Agenda as presented
To approve the Consent Agenda as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Mr. Howell requested that Ms. Eldredge asked the Association of Health Board's legal counsel if the Board can put on a nonvoting member. If this is contrary to the Charter, there is another person who would be an excellent candidate. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Approve the request as presented
To approve the request as presented
The minutes say "He moved"; the mover shown is the member named just before (Edward McManus).
From the minutes
“He moved to approve the request as presented, 2nd by Mr. MacAskill. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: McManus, second: MacAskill)
Accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Use of the Stabilization Fund with an estimated cost of $574,171
To accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Use of the Stabilization Fund with an estimated cost of $574,171
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Use of the Stabilization Fund with an estimated cost of $574,171, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Mr. Ford commented on an email from Mr. Gunderson where he commented on a number of different Articles and suggested changes on the wording. Mr. Howell commented on not being able to answer questions at Town Meeting last year and he feels Mr. Gunderson makes some good points. He asked that they work with the Interim Town Administrator to address the concerns prior to Town Meeting. Dana DeCosta Chairman Finance Committee requested that Mr. Gunderson's email be forwarded to him so that he may be of some help. Mr. Ballantine commented that as a Board, working with the Interim Town Administrator, he suggested they each take a Warrant Article and be set to clarify it if need be. They should be as prepared as possible and ready to answer questions at Town Meeting. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Town Operating Budget in the amount of $39,140, 073
To accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Town Operating Budget in the amount of $39,140, 073
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Town Operating Budget in the amount of $39,140, 073, 2nd by Mr. Ford. Mr. DeCosta would like for the 2 Boards to work together to make some changes or make reductions. This is a lower budget than last year. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Ford)
Include Article #6 in the Warrant but not include the Board's positive recommendation
To include Article #6 in the Warrant but not include the Board's positive recommendation
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to include Article #6 in the Warrant but not include the Board's positive recommendation, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Mr. MacAskill commented that it would be a shame to go to Town Meeting with a rejected budget but there have been promises of savings that never materialized and many questions left unanswered. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Accept, adopt and include in the warrant the Wastewater/Sewer Department Budget with an estimated cost of $272,932
To accept, adopt and include in the warrant the Wastewater/Sewer Department Budget with an estimated cost of $272,932
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to accept, adopt and include in the warrant the Wastewater/Sewer Department Budget with an estimated cost of $272,932, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Mr. MacAskill commented that this number could possibly be reduced as the Town is not operating at 100%. Mr. McManus asked what this budget will pay for in the next year. Interim Town Administrator Powers replied that its most salaries and expenses related to transition to the Wastewater System. This is a reduced budget from what they had previously. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Accept, adopt and include in the Warrant the Capital Plan as presented
To accept, adopt and include in the Warrant the Capital Plan as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to accept, adopt and include in the Warrant the Capital Plan as presented, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Include Article #22 in the Warrant pending a recommendation subsequent to the public hearing
To include Article #22 in the Warrant pending a recommendation subsequent to the public hearing
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to include Article #22 in the Warrant pending a recommendation subsequent to the public hearing, 2nd by Mr. MacAskill. Mr. McManus had questions regarding minimal residential net floor area in different districts. He will write something that the Board can send for answers. . Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: Howell, second: MacAskill)
The planning
The planning
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“The planning Board voted unanimously to approve this Article.”
Accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Zoning Bylaw Amendment - Essential Services
To accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Zoning Bylaw Amendment - Essential Services
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Zoning Bylaw Amendment - Essential Services, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Place this in the Warrant
To place this in the Warrant
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Mr. McManus moved to place this in the Warrant..” (Motion: McManus)
Accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Amend General Bylaws Chapter 8 Departmental Revolving Fund (eliminating the one regarding part time staff) Mr
To accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Amend General Bylaws Chapter 8 Departmental Revolving Fund (eliminating the one regarding part time staff) Mr
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to accept, adopt and include in the Warrant Amend General Bylaws Chapter 8 Departmental Revolving Fund (eliminating the one regarding part time staff) Mr..” (Motion: Howell)
Accept and adopt the Revolving Fund Authorization
To accept and adopt the Revolving Fund Authorization
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to accept and adopt the Revolving Fund Authorization, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Support the Article
To support the Article
The minutes give only the count (3-2), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to support the Article, 2nd by Mr. Ford. Vote: 3:2 by roll call. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Ford)
Close the Warrant as voted
To close the Warrant as voted
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to close the Warrant as voted, 2nd by Mr. McManus. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: Howell, second: McManus)
Approve the Contract as presented
To approve the Contract as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to approve the Contract as presented, 2nd by Mr. Howell. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Adjourn
To adjourn
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to adjourn, 2nd by Mr. MacAskill. Vote 5:0 in favor by roll call. Motion carried unanimously.” (Motion: Howell, second: MacAskill)
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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