MassVoter.com← Harwich Select BoardHarwich Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
February 24, 2025
28 recorded votes, 4 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Jeffrey Handler, Peter Piekarski, Julie Kavanagh, Donald Howell, Michael MacAskill
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Accept and adopt the Article on Town Officer and Committees
To accept and adopt the Article on Town Officer and Committees
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to accept and adopt the Article on Town Officer and Committees. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Accept and adopt the Article on Reports of Town Officers and Committees
To accept and adopt the Article on Reports of Town Officers and Committees
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to accept and adopt the Article on Reports of Town Officers and Committees. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Accept and adopt the Herring Fisheries Article
To accept and adopt the Herring Fisheries Article
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to accept and adopt the Herring Fisheries Article. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh, Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Accept and adopt the Lease Purchase Agreements Article
To accept and adopt the Lease Purchase Agreements Article
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to accept and adopt the Lease Purchase Agreements Article. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Vote to place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from Various Sources : onto the Warrant
To vote to place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from Various Sources : onto the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to vote to place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from Various Sources : onto the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 on favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place Capital Outlay Projects from Free Cash on the Warrant
To place Capital Outlay Projects from Free Cash on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place Capital Outlay Projects from Free Cash on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from the Golf Improvement Fund on the Warrant
To place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from the Golf Improvement Fund on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from the Golf Improvement Fund on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from Water Retained Earnings on the Warrant
To place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from Water Retained Earnings on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from Water Retained Earnings on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from Wastewater Retained Earnings on the Warrant
To place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from Wastewater Retained Earnings on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place the Capital Outlay Projects Funded from Wastewater Retained Earnings on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place Capital Outlay Projects Funded from borrowing for the Fire Department on the Warrant
To place Capital Outlay Projects Funded from borrowing for the Fire Department on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place Capital Outlay Projects Funded from borrowing for the Fire Department on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place Elected Officials Salaries on the Warrant
To place Elected Officials Salaries on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place Elected Officials Salaries on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place the Monomoy Regional School District Budget on the Warrant
To place the Monomoy Regional School District Budget on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place the Monomoy Regional School District Budget on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place the Cape Cod Regional Technical School District Budget Assessment on the Warrant
To place the Cape Cod Regional Technical School District Budget Assessment on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place the Cape Cod Regional Technical School District Budget Assessment on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place Fund Cape Cod Community Media Center on the Warrant
To place Fund Cape Cod Community Media Center on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place Fund Cape Cod Community Media Center on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Accept and adopt the Fund Cape Cod Community Media Center
To accept and adopt the Fund Cape Cod Community Media Center
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to accept and adopt the Fund Cape Cod Community Media Center. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place Transfer from Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for Wastewater to the General Fund Article on the Warrant
To place Transfer from Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for Wastewater to the General Fund Article on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place Transfer from Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for Wastewater to the General Fund Article on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Mr. MacAskill commented that there is no explanation as to why the Board is placing it. Although he agrees it has been a customary Article for the pat 2 or 3 years, there is no explanation as to why the funds are being transferred. He questioned whether the Board should wait for that before they decide to put it on the Warrant. Mr. Howell noted that it only gives the Board authority to do something, it doesn't mandate anything. Mr. Handler commented that he would prefer to leave it as a placeholder and revisit. Mr. MacAskill responded that he is okay with a placeholder. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place Transfer from the Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for Affordable Housing to the General Fund on the Warrant
To place Transfer from the Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for Affordable Housing to the General Fund on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place Transfer from the Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for Affordable Housing to the General Fund on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Mr. Piekarski commented that he is lost with this one but he expects more information will be coming. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place Great Sand Lakes Wastewater Construction on the Warrant
To place Great Sand Lakes Wastewater Construction on the Warrant
Yes: Howell, KavanaghNo: Handler, MacAskill, Piekarski
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place Great Sand Lakes Wastewater Construction on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Mr. MacAskill stated for the record that he will be a no vote on this tonight having just agreed to bring back an agenda topic to have a conversation on this. Also, given the amount of projects the Board has already voted, whether the Board can take it off or not, this is a big project for the Town of Harwich. He feels the conversation should happen before the Board votes to put it on anything. Mr. Piekarski echoed Mr. MacAskill's sentiment. He is not ready to support this tonight. Mr. Howell noted that the Board is in a fundamentally different position. He thinks that as a matter of good faith, the Board should be placing this. He understands that the discussion will be a follow on but he feels there has to be some demonstration of good faith. He stated that he will not withdraw the motion. Mr. MacAskill stated for the record that he is by no means saying that he is not supporting it but given the magnitude of the project, acting in good faith with no information is not acting in good faith. Vote: 2:3 against by roll cal vote with Mr. Piekarski, Mr. MacAskill and Mr. Handler voting no.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Place Adopting Mass General Law Chapter 59 s50 Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption on the Warrant
To place Adopting Mass General Law Chapter 59 s50 Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Ms. Kavanagh moved to place Adopting Mass General Law Chapter 59 s50 Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption on the Warrant. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Kavanagh, second: Howell)
Accept and adopt Adopting Mass General Law Chapter 59 section 50 Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption
To accept and adopt Adopting Mass General Law Chapter 59 section 50 Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption
From the minutes
“Ms. Kavanagh moved to accept and adopt Adopting Mass General Law Chapter 59 section 50 Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Kavanagh, second: Howell)
Place Accept Mass General Law Chapter 40U on the Warrant
To place Accept Mass General Law Chapter 40U on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to place Accept Mass General Law Chapter 40U on the Warrant. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. ) Mr. Piekarski commented that he will vote to place it but would like to hear more on the thought process before voting to accept and adopt. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
He is unsure if some of these Departments could operate starting at the new fiscal year without this Revolving Fund
He is unsure if some of these Departments could operate starting at the new fiscal year without this Revolving Fund
Yes: Handler, Kavanagh, MacAskill, PiekarskiAbstained: HowellThe minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“He is unsure if some of these Departments could operate starting at the new fiscal year without this Revolving Fund. Vote: 4:0:1 by roll call vote with Mr. Howell abstained. Motion carried.”
Place Amend General By-law Chapter 131 Relative to Demolition on the Warrant
To place Amend General By-law Chapter 131 Relative to Demolition on the Warrant
Yes: Kavanagh, PiekarskiNo: Handler, Howell, MacAskill
From the minutes
“Ms. Kavanagh moved to place Amend General By-law Chapter 131 Relative to Demolition on the Warrant. Seconded by Mr. Piekarski. Mr. Howell commented that he would like to know what the implications are in this and what the : motivation would be because he doesn't see that tacking 6 months on without any change in the destination point does anything. Ms. Kavanagh commented that she thinks the intention is to make the applicants think further about what they are going to do. Mr. Howell stated that if there was some sort of explanation or request that said that at the : request of the Historic Commission, that if they're not satisfied with the original engineering report that they insist on another one being done by an engineer of their choice and it be funded by the applicant, he would be okay with that. This doesn't do anything but add six months of impending doom. Ms. Kavanagh noted that the Article says, to develop alternatives to demolition. She commented that the hopes are that the applicant will take a longer period and possibly redesign instead of demolishing. Mr. Piekarski suggested that the Board ask staff to reach out and inquire. ) Ms. Kavanagh suggested they place it as a place holder. Mr. MacAskill commented that he agrees with Mr. Howell that all this does is put an extra long undo hardship on an applicant on some projects that are obvious of what needs to happen. He doesn't think that adding 6 months to a year means anything and the Historic District Commission only have so much teeth to operate inside of the law and the extension doesn't matter. In reference to Ms. Kavanagh's point about extra time to decide, most people have decided before they bought the house. Ms. Kavanagh replied that she read from the Article. Mr. MacAskill responded that he is agreeing with Ms. Kavanagh. He feels that the 12 months they have now is more than adequate. Vote: 2:3 against with Mr. Howell, Mr. MacAskill and Mr. Handler voting no.” (Motion: Kavanagh, second: Piekarski)
Provide budget to the Finance Committee pursuant to the Harwich Town Charter per Chapter 9-3-2
To provide budget to the Finance Committee pursuant to the Harwich Town Charter per Chapter 9-3-2
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to provide budget to the Finance Committee pursuant to the Harwich Town Charter per Chapter 9-3-2. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Kavanagh)
Approve the Select Board Meeting Minutes from February 10, 2025
To approve the Select Board Meeting Minutes from February 10, 2025
Yes: Handler, Kavanagh, MacAskill, PiekarskiNo: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to approve the Select Board Meeting Minutes from February 10, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Mr. Howell asked that the header for the discussion with FinCom include that it was a presentation of an overview of a Summery Budget. He noted that the discussion wasn't the one they had the previous week. He commented that it wasn't a deep dive and wants that clear before the discussion starts happening. Mr. Handler disagreed. He noted that it was not a joint meeting last week. Mr. Howell commented that they didn't have a deep dive on the 10th. Mr. Howell noted page 3 of 35 and that he takes issue with the fact that it is listed as a comprehensive discussion on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. He commented that they didn't have a comprehensive discussion, they had an overview discussion. Ms. Eldredge noted that it was the Agenda topic on the Agenda. Mr. Piekarski commented that he doesn't disagree but what the Assistant Town Administrator is stating is that this is just corresponding to the Agenda item on the Agenda, not necessarily what occurred. Mr. Handler commented that that was his reasons for disagreeing. He is seeing what the Agenda item was and they can't rewrite an Agenda item. He asked Mr. Howell if he believes they owe it to FinCom to have one more meeting with them. Mr. Howell responded, that and to characterize the actual discussion, which is what the Minutes are about, that the Board had an overview discussion with the Finance Committee on the Budget. He commented that it could be left as is but, an overview discussion ensued, would be fine with him. Mr. Howell noted that they never got into a deep discussion with line items or anything. Mr. MacAskill commented that the discussion was as deep as they had the information to get into. This is an ongoing project and he thinks the language is fine. He asked to revisit a prior item. Mr. Handler noted that FinCom is presenting their Public Hearing on Thursday. Mr. Howell commented that he doesn't dispute that it was as deep as they could get, he's disputing that it looks like there was a deep discussion and there was not. Mr. Handler noted page 29 and read Mr. Waystack's reply. He noted that he believes Mr. Waystack said "what Mr. MacAskill did" and he does not think there was reference Mr. Piekarski as having submitted any comments. He requested that part of the meeting be reviewed for verification. He also noted a space that needed to be added. Vote: 4:1 in favor by roll call vote with Mr. Howell voting against. Motion carried.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Kavanagh)
Vote to approve the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) : request to waive the 120-day waiting period to acquire a conservation restriction on the 16-acre ) parcel of land near...
To vote to approve the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) : request to waive the 120-day waiting period to acquire a conservation restriction on the 16-acre ) parcel of land near Hawksnest State Park pursuant to 301 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 51.07(1)(b)
From the minutes
“Ms. Kavanagh moved to vote to approve the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) : request to waive the 120-day waiting period to acquire a conservation restriction on the 16-acre ) parcel of land near Hawksnest State Park pursuant to 301 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 51.07(1)(b). Seconded by Mr. Howell. Mr. Handler noted that after having a conversation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the reason for waiving the 120 day request is because it puts them close to their fiscal year ending and they want to move this forward. He noted that this covers the Fratus property in the Hawksnest area off Seth Whitefield and Round Cove Road. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Kavanagh, second: Howell)
Authorize the formation of a Select Board Sub-Committee for the Monomoy Regional School District Assessment and nominated Jeff Handler as Chair and Peter Piekarski for the Sub-Committee
To authorize the formation of a Select Board Sub-Committee for the Monomoy Regional School District Assessment and nominated Jeff Handler as Chair and Peter Piekarski for the Sub-Committee
From the minutes
“Ms. Kavanagh moved to authorize the formation of a Select Board Sub-Committee for the Monomoy Regional School District Assessment and nominated Jeff Handler as Chair and Peter Piekarski for the Sub-Committee. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Mr. Handler explained for the public that Chatham accepted the request from the Harwich Select Board to have a two person meeting with two people from the Select Board, Administration and Finance. Mr. Piekarski commented that he is happy to participate but also happy to defer if somebody else would rather. Mr. Howell commented that he had indicated that he would do it if Mr. Piekarski did not. Mr. Handler suggested they vote on the motion that is on the table. Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Kavanagh, second: MacAskill)
Adjourn
To adjourn
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Piekarski, Vote: 5:0 in favor by roll call vote. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Piekarski)
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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