MassVoter.com← Harwich Select BoardHarwich Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
February 5, 2024
13 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Julie Kavanagh, Michael MacAskill, Jeffrey Handler, Donald Howell
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
For the Select Board to enter into Executive Session as presented
For the Select Board to enter into Executive Session as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved for the Select Board to enter into Executive Session as presented, seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Vote 4:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Approve the appointments to the Harwich Police Department as presented
To approve the appointments to the Harwich Police Department as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the appointments to the Harwich Police Department as presented, seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Kevin Considine, Deputy Police Chief was present and gave an update on the Department's current vacancy status. He also noted that the candidates have completed all the requirements necessary to attend the Plymouth Police Academy. Deputy Chief Considine gave an overview and timeline of the process the officers will go through including Field Training. He introduced and gave a brief background of each candidate individually. Vote: 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Approve the committee recommendations as presented
To approve the committee recommendations as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the committee recommendations as presented, seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Approve a 100th Birthday proclamation for Mary Ratto Barron
To approve a 100th Birthday proclamation for Mary Ratto Barron
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve a 100th Birthday proclamation for Mary Ratto Barron, seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Vote: 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Approve the Meeting Minutes as presented
To approve the Meeting Minutes as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the Meeting Minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Promote Kevin Considine to Chief subject to a successful completion of . negotiations with the Select Board
To promote Kevin Considine to Chief subject to a successful completion of . negotiations with the Select Board
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to promote Kevin Considine to Chief subject to a successful completion of . negotiations with the Select Board, seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Accept the In Person Early Voting Hours recommended by the Town Clerk as presented in the packet: Saturday, February 24, 2024, 10:00AM to 4:00PM, no hours on Sunday, February 25th and Monday...
To accept the In Person Early Voting Hours recommended by the Town Clerk as presented in the packet: Saturday, February 24, 2024, 10:00AM to 4:00PM, no hours on Sunday, February 25th and Monday through Friday, February 26th to March 1, 2024, 8:30AM to 4:00PM at Town Hall
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to accept the In Person Early Voting Hours recommended by the Town Clerk as presented in the packet: Saturday, February 24, 2024, 10:00AM to 4:00PM, no hours on Sunday, February 25th and Monday through Friday, February 26th to March 1, 2024, 8:30AM to 4:00PM at Town Hall, seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Approve the G.L.c. 268A, Section 23(b)(3) Disclosure of Appearance of . , Conflict of Interest for Ann C. Tucker, Planning Board
To approve the G.L.c. 268A, Section 23(b)(3) Disclosure of Appearance of . , Conflict of Interest for Ann C. Tucker, Planning Board
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the G.L.c. 268A, Section 23(b)(3) Disclosure of Appearance of . , Conflict of Interest for Ann C. Tucker, Planning Board, seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Approve to direct the Real Estate and Open Space Committee to evaluate 172, 178 and 246 Queen Anne Road for the purpose of possible disposition by sale
To approve to direct the Real Estate and Open Space Committee to evaluate 172, 178 and 246 Queen Anne Road for the purpose of possible disposition by sale
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve to direct the Real Estate and Open Space Committee to evaluate 172, 178 and 246 Queen Anne Road for the purpose of possible disposition by sale, seconded by Mr. Howell. Mr. MacAskill asked Mr. Powers to confirm next steps once Real Estate and Open Spaces returns their recommendations. Mr. Powers responded with an answer noting how this situation differs from other properties that had been sold in the past. Mr. Howell suggested that it would be beneficial to put the Request for Proposal (RFP) out and then go to Town Meeting with specifics. Mr. Kavanagh emphasized that the Board has to know what Legal Counsel says they are allowed to do with the properties. Mr. MacAskill commented that he feels they should go to Town Meeting with a recommendation from Real Estate and Open Spaces and a vote of the Select Board to sell those properties. He proposed that as this goes forward, the money go into an account to continue to work on the 7 million dollars plus of tax problems. Mr. Powers confirmed that the reference to Real Estate and Open Spaces is for disposition by sale. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Reaffirm a third auction on the land of low value and to appoint the Town Administrator to be the point person
To reaffirm a third auction on the land of low value and to appoint the Town Administrator to be the point person
Yes: Handler, Howell, MacAskillNo: Kavanagh
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to reaffirm a third auction on the land of low value and to appoint the Town Administrator to be the point person, seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote 3:1 in favor with Ms. Kavanagh voting no. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Strike "including the By-law Charter Review Committee's recommendations" but leave the first sentence in
To strike "including the By-law Charter Review Committee's recommendations" but leave the first sentence in
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to strike "including the By-law Charter Review Committee's recommendations" but leave the first sentence in..” (Motion: MacAskill)
Accept the By-Law Charter Review Committee charge with the deletion of the two sections that Mr. MacAskill referenced
To accept the By-Law Charter Review Committee charge with the deletion of the two sections that Mr. MacAskill referenced
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to accept the By-Law Charter Review Committee charge with the deletion of the two sections that Mr. MacAskill referenced, seconded by Mr. Handler. Mr. MacAskill outlined the two sections for the public as follows: Under "shall submit a report to Town Meeting concerning any proposed amendments and/or revisions to the Charter and/or By-Laws. (stop there) The other section to be struck- "the Select Board shall submit all such Articles to the By-Law Charter Review Committee no later than 14 days after the deadline for submission of our Articles. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Handler)
Adjourn
To adjourn
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Handler. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Handler)
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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