MassVoter.com← Harwich Select BoardHarwich Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Joint meeting
June 3, 2024
18 recorded votes, 6 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: Joint meeting with the Finance Committee. Only the Select Board's own votes are included.
Present: Julie Kavanagh, Michael MacAskill, Jeffrey Handler, Donald Howell, Peter Piekarski
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Nominate Julie Kavanagh for the position of Chair
To nominate Julie Kavanagh for the position of Chair
Yes: Handler, Howell, Kavanagh, MacAskillNo: Piekarski
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to nominate Julie Kavanagh for the position of Chair. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Vote: 4:1 in favor with Mr. Piekarski opposed. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Nominate Jeff Handler for Vice Chair
To nominate Jeff Handler for Vice Chair
Yes: Handler, Kavanagh, MacAskillNo: PiekarskiAbstained: Howell
From the minutes
“Ms. Kavanagh moved to nominate Jeff Handler for Vice Chair. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. ; j f "1H WAG a ; Vote: 3:1:1 in favor with Mr. Piekarski opposed and Mr. Howell abstained. Motion carried.” (Motion: Kavanagh, second: MacAskill)
Nominate Peter Piekarski for Clerk
To nominate Peter Piekarski for Clerk
Yes: Handler, Howell, Kavanagh, MacAskillAbstained: Piekarski
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to nominate Peter Piekarski for Clerk. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote: 4:0:1 with Mr. Piekarski abstained. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Nominate Mr. MacAskill and Mr. Howell for the Interview Committee
To nominate Mr. MacAskill and Mr. Howell for the Interview Committee
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to nominate Mr. MacAskill and Mr. Howell for the Interview Committee. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: Kavanagh)
Vote to approve the Select Board summer meeting schedule
To vote to approve the Select Board summer meeting schedule
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to vote to approve the Select Board summer meeting schedule. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Handler)
Approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Holiday schedule as presented
To approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Holiday schedule as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Holiday schedule as presented. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Approve for an exemption from Town-wide Facilities Use Policy for use of Brooks Park on August 17, 2024 for Pugfest
To approve for an exemption from Town-wide Facilities Use Policy for use of Brooks Park on August 17, 2024 for Pugfest
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to approve for an exemption from Town-wide Facilities Use Policy for use of Brooks Park on August 17, 2024 for Pugfest. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Mr. Piekarski asked Mr. Pug if they were interested in or going to pursue a 501c3 status for the future. Mr. Pug responded that they are not because this will be their final Pugfest. He thanked the Board for their consideration. They are hoping to make more money this year than in the past. Mr. MacAskill commented that they were going to bring back the Fee Waiver Policy as well as this and continue to look at it. This came up because somebody was renting Brooks Park to put up a tent and then rent squares in it for profit. He suggested that they revisit for things that happen such as this so it is not black and white. He stands behind the previous conversations about not renting out the parks to let somebody sublet them. Ms. Kavanagh agreed that they should look at the Fee Waiver Policy for further implications. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Handler)
Approve a Special Permit Application for a one day wines and malt permit for The Cape Cottage Garden, event to be held on June 22, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 204 Sisson Road
To approve a Special Permit Application for a one day wines and malt permit for The Cape Cottage Garden, event to be held on June 22, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 204 Sisson Road
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to approve a Special Permit Application for a one day wines and malt permit for The Cape Cottage Garden, event to be held on June 22, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 204 Sisson Road. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Handler)
Assemble a subcommittee to get to a conclusion on this issue and that Mr
To assemble a subcommittee to get to a conclusion on this issue and that Mr
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to assemble a subcommittee to get to a conclusion on this issue and that Mr..” (Motion: Howell)
They vote to appoint Mr. MacAskill to assemble a subcommittee and report back to the Select Board with recommendations about who would be on that subcommittee
That they vote to appoint Mr. MacAskill to assemble a subcommittee and report back to the Select Board with recommendations about who would be on that subcommittee
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved that they vote to appoint Mr. MacAskill to assemble a subcommittee and report back to the Select Board with recommendations about who would be on that subcommittee. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Handler)
They issue a check to the Town in the amount of $710,895.57 for the tax title amount of outstanding taxes and interest as of the date of the Town ownership, 07/19/23. to pay off and close out the...
That they issue a check to the Town in the amount of $710,895.57 for the tax title amount of outstanding taxes and interest as of the date of the Town ownership, 07/19/23. to pay off and close out the Judah Eldredge Tax Title account
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved that they issue a check to the Town in the amount of $710,895.57 for the tax title amount of outstanding taxes and interest as of the date of the Town ownership, 07/19/23. to pay off and close out the Judah Eldredge Tax Title account. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Mr. Howell commented in support of Mr. Nixon that it would be his preferred mechanism. It goes back to CPC on an Article once it is generated as Free Cash, as it was never the Board's in the first place. Mr. Handler noted for the record that he supports what Mr. Howell had just said. His reconsideration in this from the beginning has come from great information from Mr. Kinsherf, Council, Mr. MacAskill, the rest of the Board and the public. He is in support of this as long as they move forward with CPC at the end of the day Ms. Kavanagh is also in agreement to create an Article and return money to CPC. Mr. Nixon commented that he and the Town Administrator have had conversations on municipal financing. He commented that he appreciates what the Board does and his interest is in protecting the taxpayers of the Town. Mr. Powers confirmed that the motion before the Board is what Mr. Kinsherf outlined as the recommended action, to do item #1 for the check. Mr. Howell asked that they agenda the follow on for the money going back to CPC. They haven't actually agreed to that and it is not part of the motion. Ms. Kavanagh added that they will act on Ms. Shovlin's suggestion of having a column added to the list with the information that she requested. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Handler)
Issue a second check and deposit into a separate escrow account, in the name of Judah Eldredge, with the balance of the funds $58,104.43
To issue a second check and deposit into a separate escrow account, in the name of Judah Eldredge, with the balance of the funds $58,104.43
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to issue a second check and deposit into a separate escrow account, in the name of Judah Eldredge, with the balance of the funds $58,104.43. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Handler)
Approve the updated Harwich Accessibility Rights Committee Charge as presented, to be dated today
To approve the updated Harwich Accessibility Rights Committee Charge as presented, to be dated today
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the updated Harwich Accessibility Rights Committee Charge as presented, to be dated today. Seconded by Mr. Howell..” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Approve to appoint: 1, Frank Wiacek, Jr. - Full Member - Term to Expire 6/30/2025 2
To approve to appoint: 1, Frank Wiacek, Jr. - Full Member - Term to Expire 6/30/2025 2. Eric Clark - Full Member - Term to Expire 6/30/2027 3. John Adams - Full Member - Term to Expire 6/30/2027
Yes: Handler, Kavanagh, MacAskill, PiekarskiNo: Howell
From the minutes
“Handler moved to approve to appoint: 1, Frank Wiacek, Jr. - Full Member - Term to Expire 6/30/2025 2. Eric Clark - Full Member - Term to Expire 6/30/2027 3. John Adams - Full Member - Term to Expire 6/30/2027 Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Mr. Howell stated that he has not changed his mind, he believes that this was a boys club for a long time and it took forever for it to reflect what the town looked like. There was a comment made that he was guilty of gender bias over that and he takes that as a compliment. As far as he is concerned, that is a hill he would be willing to die on. The applicants are all nice, capable guys but what they are doing is filling up all the chairs and they're not going to wind up anywhere but where it was in the past. It would be ironic that the old guy is gender biased because he wants more women on the Committee but that is how he feels. Mr. Handler noted that one of the potential Golf Committee members, Eric Clark, is present. Mr. Adams had been there earlier. Vote: 4:1 with Mr. Howell opposed. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Accept the Golf Committee charge as presented in the packet
To accept the Golf Committee charge as presented in the packet
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to accept the Golf Committee charge as presented in the packet. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Mr. Piekarski requested that a date be added. Mr. Powers has two Charges, the first is dated 10/02/2023 and the second has no date. The question is, which of the two in the packet would you be adopting. Mr. Handler noted that his motion is for the one without the date. It will now be referred to with today's date, 06/03/24. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Approve the use of $326,364.00 in Chapter 90 funds for new drainage installations at various locations
To approve the use of $326,364.00 in Chapter 90 funds for new drainage installations at various locations
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to approve the use of $326,364.00 in Chapter 90 funds for new drainage installations at various locations. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Howell)
Approve a contract extension for Robert B. Our, Inc. for catch basin replacement and installation not to exceed $1,000,000.00
To approve a contract extension for Robert B. Our, Inc. for catch basin replacement and installation not to exceed $1,000,000.00
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to approve a contract extension for Robert B. Our, Inc. for catch basin replacement and installation not to exceed $1,000,000.00. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Howell)
Adjourn
To adjourn
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Vote 5:0 in favor.” (Motion: MacAskill, 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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