MassVoter.com← Harwich Select BoardHarwich Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
September 8, 2025
18 recorded votes, 6 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Donald Howell, Peter Piekarski, Mark Kelleher, Jeffrey Handler, Anita Doucette
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
The Select Board enter into Executive Session to discuss the items as outlined below
That the Select Board enter into Executive Session to discuss the items as outlined below
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved that the Select Board enter into Executive Session to discuss the items as outlined below, 2nd by Mr. Handler. The vote was 5-0-0 with Mr. Howell, Mr. Handler, Mr. Piekarski, Mr. Kelleher & Ms. Doucette all voting aye by roll call.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Approve the Select Board Meeting minutes from August 25, 2025
To approve the Select Board Meeting minutes from August 25, 2025
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve the Select Board Meeting minutes from August 25, 2025, 2nd by Mr. Handler..” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Accept a gift for the Health Department from Shaws/Star Market in the amount of $2,500 in support of The People's Fridge
To accept a gift for the Health Department from Shaws/Star Market in the amount of $2,500 in support of The People's Fridge
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to accept a gift for the Health Department from Shaws/Star Market in the amount of $2,500 in support of The People's Fridge, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Accept a gift for the Community Center from Christopher Senie/Bridge Camp in the amount of $200.00 for additional programming at the Community Center
To accept a gift for the Community Center from Christopher Senie/Bridge Camp in the amount of $200.00 for additional programming at the Community Center
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to accept a gift for the Community Center from Christopher Senie/Bridge Camp in the amount of $200.00 for additional programming at the Community Center, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Accept a gift for the Health Department and Conservation Department from Whole Foods Hyannis in the amount of $867.04 for a donation of 96 bags of starting soil and potting mix for the Community...
To accept a gift for the Health Department and Conservation Department from Whole Foods Hyannis in the amount of $867.04 for a donation of 96 bags of starting soil and potting mix for the Community and People's Gardens
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to accept a gift for the Health Department and Conservation Department from Whole Foods Hyannis in the amount of $867.04 for a donation of 96 bags of starting soil and potting mix for the Community and People's Gardens, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Accept a gift for the Health Department and Conservation Department from Harwich Conservation Trust for a 6'x8' greenhouse to be used for the People's Garden
To accept a gift for the Health Department and Conservation Department from Harwich Conservation Trust for a 6'x8' greenhouse to be used for the People's Garden
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to accept a gift for the Health Department and Conservation Department from Harwich Conservation Trust for a 6'x8' greenhouse to be used for the People's Garden, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Affirm the Acting Town Administrator's recommendation of Eleanor MacKay to the position of Building Commissioner, effective no earlier than September 16, 2025
To affirm the Acting Town Administrator's recommendation of Eleanor MacKay to the position of Building Commissioner, effective no earlier than September 16, 2025
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to affirm the Acting Town Administrator's recommendation of Eleanor MacKay to the position of Building Commissioner, effective no earlier than September 16, 2025, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Approve a special permit application for a one-day liquor license (wines & malt) for Cape Cod Rugby, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on September 13, 2025, September 25, 2025 & September 27, 2025 for...
To approve a special permit application for a one-day liquor license (wines & malt) for Cape Cod Rugby, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on September 13, 2025, September 25, 2025 & September 27, 2025 for events to be held at Jimmy McPhee Memorial Field, 75 Oak Street
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve a special permit application for a one-day liquor license (wines & malt) for Cape Cod Rugby, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on September 13, 2025, September 25, 2025 & September 27, 2025 for events to be held at Jimmy McPhee Memorial Field, 75 Oak Street, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Approve a special permit application for a one-day liquor license (wines & malt) for We Can, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on September 12, 2025 for an event to be held at 204 Sisson Road
To approve a special permit application for a one-day liquor license (wines & malt) for We Can, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on September 12, 2025 for an event to be held at 204 Sisson Road
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve a special permit application for a one-day liquor license (wines & malt) for We Can, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on September 12, 2025 for an event to be held at 204 Sisson Road, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Approve a special permit application for a one-day liquor license (wines & malt) for Taylor Fox, from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on September 13, 2025 for an event to be held at 204 Sisson Road
To approve a special permit application for a one-day liquor license (wines & malt) for Taylor Fox, from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on September 13, 2025 for an event to be held at 204 Sisson Road
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve a special permit application for a one-day liquor license (wines & malt) for Taylor Fox, from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on September 13, 2025 for an event to be held at 204 Sisson Road, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Send the letter of support, with the removal of the 5" paragraph, signed by the Select Board
To send the letter of support, with the removal of the 5" paragraph, signed by the Select Board
Yes: Doucette, Handler, Howell, KelleherNo: PiekarskiThe minutes say "and approved 4-1-0 (Piekarski)"; MassVoter reads the name in brackets as the member who voted with the minority (no).
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to send the letter of support, with the removal of the 5" paragraph, signed by the Select Board, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 4-1-0 (Piekarski).” (Motion: Handler, second: Kelleher)
The incoming salary range for the Town Administrator be $210,000- $240,000 annually, which does not include benefits
That the incoming salary range for the Town Administrator be $210,000- $240,000 annually, which does not include benefits
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved that the incoming salary range for the Town Administrator be $210,000- $240,000 annually, which does not include benefits, 2nd by Ms. Doucette..” (Motion: Handler, second: Doucette)
That the incoming salary range for the Town Administrator be $210,000- $240,000 annually, which does not include benefits
Yes: Doucette, Handler, Howell, KelleherNo: PiekarskiThe minutes say "and approved 4-1-0 (Piekarski)"; MassVoter reads the name in brackets as the member who voted with the minority (no).
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved that the incoming salary range for the Town Administrator be $210,000- $240,000 annually, which does not include benefits, 2nd by Ms. Doucette and approved 4-1-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Doucette)
Approve and send the draft letter to Davenport Company regarding the West Harwich Baptist Church with the addition of language that if Jamie Viera is not part of the Davenport Company, that...
To approve and send the draft letter to Davenport Company regarding the West Harwich Baptist Church with the addition of language that if Jamie Viera is not part of the Davenport Company, that Davenport inform the Select Board who is and who the Town of Harwich should be communicating with, with the letter to be signed by the full Select Board
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve and send the draft letter to Davenport Company regarding the West Harwich Baptist Church with the addition of language that if Jamie Viera is not part of the Davenport Company, that Davenport inform the Select Board who is and who the Town of Harwich should be communicating with, with the letter to be signed by the full Select Board, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Kelleher)
Apply option # 2 as outlined in the packet
To apply option # 2 as outlined in the packet
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to apply option # 2 as outlined in the packet, 2nd by Ms. Doucette..” (Motion: Handler, second: Doucette)
Deny the request to amend the entertainment licenses for both The Port Restaurant and Ember as presented in the packet
To deny the request to amend the entertainment licenses for both The Port Restaurant and Ember as presented in the packet
The minutes say 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Donald Howell, Peter Piekarski, Mark Kelleher, Jeffrey Handler and Anita Doucette). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Ms. Doucette moved to deny the request to amend the entertainment licenses for both The Port Restaurant and Ember as presented in the packet, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 4-0-0.” (Motion: Doucette, second: Kelleher)
Approve a contract with Comm-Tract in the amount of $186,721.50 for fiber optic installation and maintenance
To approve a contract with Comm-Tract in the amount of $186,721.50 for fiber optic installation and maintenance
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to approve a contract with Comm-Tract in the amount of $186,721.50 for fiber optic installation and maintenance, 2nd by Ms. Doucette and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Doucette)
Adjourn the regular meeting of the Select Board at 9:13 p.m
To adjourn the regular meeting of the Select Board at 9:13 p.m
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Select Board at 9:13 p.m., 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, 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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