MassVoter.com← Harwich Select BoardHarwich Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Joint meeting
February 2, 2026
21 recorded votes, 4 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 Monomoy Regional School Committee. Only the Select Board's own votes are included.
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. Piekarski, Mr. Handler, Mr. Kelleher & Ms. Doucette all voting aye by roll call.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Approve the Select Board Meeting Minutes from January 10, 2026 as presented
To approve the Select Board Meeting Minutes from January 10, 2026 as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve the Select Board Meeting Minutes from January 10, 2026 as presented, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Approve the Select Board Meeting Minutes from January 20, 2026 as presented
To approve the Select Board Meeting Minutes from January 20, 2026 as presented
Yes: Doucette, Howell, Kelleher, PiekarskiAbstained: Handler
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve the Select Board Meeting Minutes from January 20, 2026 as presented, 2nd by Mr. Piekarski and approved 4-0-1 (Handler abstained).” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Piekarski)
Approve the Acting Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 33' +/- of 1-3" conduit along Braddock Street with the...
To approve the Acting Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 33' +/- of 1-3" conduit along Braddock Street with the condition that the road and/or property will be returned to its existing condition
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve the Acting Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install 33' +/- of 1-3" conduit along Braddock Street with the condition that the road and/or property will be returned to its existing condition, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Approve the appointment of Richard Siegel to the Bikeways Committee, full member, term to expire June 30, 2027, as recommended by the Interview 'Committee
To approve the appointment of Richard Siegel to the Bikeways Committee, full member, term to expire June 30, 2027, as recommended by the Interview 'Committee
Yes: Doucette, Handler, Kelleher, PiekarskiAbstained: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve the appointment of Richard Siegel to the Bikeways Committee, full member, term to expire June 30, 2027, as recommended by the Interview 'Committee, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 4-0-1 (Howell abstained).” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Appoint Ann Marie Varella as the 4" member as the Harwich delegate of the Monomoy Regional School Committee
To appoint Ann Marie Varella as the 4" member as the Harwich delegate of the Monomoy Regional School Committee
The minutes give the count (3-5) and name Peter Piekarski, Anita Doucette, Mark Kelleher, Donald Howell and Jeffrey Handler, but the names and count do not match the members present. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski move to appoint Ann Marie Varella as the 4" member as the Harwich delegate of the Monomoy Regional School Committee, 2nd by Mr. Handler. The vote was 3-5-0 with Mr. Piekarski, Ms. Doucette and Mr. Kelleher voting aye and Mr. Howell, Mr. Handler, Ms. Henderson, Mr. Edwards and Mr. Clarke voting nay by roll call.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Appoint Brett Fortin as the 4 member as the Harwich delegate of the Monomoy Regional School Committee
To appoint Brett Fortin as the 4 member as the Harwich delegate of the Monomoy Regional School Committee
The mover is not clear in the text ("Mr. Clarke"). The minutes say 8-0, 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
“Mr. Clarke moved to appoint Brett Fortin as the 4 member as the Harwich delegate of the Monomoy Regional School Committee, 2nd by Mr. Handler. The vote was 8-0-0 with Mr..” (second: Handler)
Accept the recommendations for beach sticker fees as presented by the Recreation Director
To accept the recommendations for beach sticker fees as presented by the Recreation Director
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to accept the recommendations for beach sticker fees as presented by the Recreation Director, 2nd by Ms. Doucette and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Doucette)
Send a letter of support for the Fiscal Year 2026 Housing Rehab Program
To send a letter of support for the Fiscal Year 2026 Housing Rehab Program
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to send a letter of support for the Fiscal Year 2026 Housing Rehab Program, 2nd by Mr. Piekarski and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Piekarski)
Authorize the Acting Town Administrator to hire special labor counsel to deal with an emerging personnel matter
To authorize the Acting Town Administrator to hire special labor counsel to deal with an emerging personnel matter
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to authorize the Acting Town Administrator to hire special labor counsel to deal with an emerging personnel matter, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Authorize Acting Town Administrator to sign Traffic Control Agreement between the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Town of Harwich regarding the Safety Improvement Project...
To authorize Acting Town Administrator to sign Traffic Control Agreement between the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Town of Harwich regarding the Safety Improvement Project relative to the Safe Route to School Project at South Main Street, Main Street and Sisson Road
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to authorize Acting Town Administrator to sign Traffic Control Agreement between the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Town of Harwich regarding the Safety Improvement Project relative to the Safe Route to School Project at South Main Street, Main Street and Sisson Road, 2nd by Mr. Piekarski and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Piekarski)
Appoint Jennifer Mince as the representative and Angelique McGibbon as alternate members on the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group Board of Directors
To appoint Jennifer Mince as the representative and Angelique McGibbon as alternate members on the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group Board of Directors
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to appoint Jennifer Mince as the representative and Angelique McGibbon as alternate members on the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group Board of Directors, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Approve a temporary closure for George's Pizza House, 564 Route 28, closing February 23, 2026, re-opening on March 19, 2026 (alternate re-opening date of March 17, 2026)
To approve a temporary closure for George's Pizza House, 564 Route 28, closing February 23, 2026, re-opening on March 19, 2026 (alternate re-opening date of March 17, 2026)
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve a temporary closure for George's Pizza House, 564 Route 28, closing February 23, 2026, re-opening on March 19, 2026 (alternate re-opening date of March 17, 2026), 2nd by Mr. Piekarski and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Piekarski)
Approve a temporary closure for Brax, 705 Route 28, closing February 1, 2026, re-opening on March 1, 2026
To approve a temporary closure for Brax, 705 Route 28, closing February 1, 2026, re-opening on March 1, 2026
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve a temporary closure for Brax, 705 Route 28, closing February 1, 2026, re-opening on March 1, 2026, 2nd by Mr. Piekarski and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Piekarski)
Insert the Saquatucket Harbor Bulkhead Maintenance Dredging project into the FY27 capital plan and capital budget
To insert the Saquatucket Harbor Bulkhead Maintenance Dredging project into the FY27 capital plan and capital budget
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to insert the Saquatucket Harbor Bulkhead Maintenance Dredging project into the FY27 capital plan and capital budget, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5- 0-0.” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Handler)
Approve the request to include $125,000 in the capital plan
To approve the request to include $125,000 in the capital plan
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to approve the request to include $125,000 in the capital plan, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Transmit the budget and capital plan to the Finance Committee pursuant to the Harwich Town Charter per Chapter 9-3-2
To transmit the budget and capital plan to the Finance Committee pursuant to the Harwich Town Charter per Chapter 9-3-2
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to transmit the budget and capital plan to the Finance Committee pursuant to the Harwich Town Charter per Chapter 9-3-2, 2nd by Ms. Doucette and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Doucette)
Approve a contract with Horsley Witten Group for the design and permitting of a raised boardwalk on North Road in the Bells Neck Conservation Area in the amount of $142,065
To approve a contract with Horsley Witten Group for the design and permitting of a raised boardwalk on North Road in the Bells Neck Conservation Area in the amount of $142,065
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve a contract with Horsley Witten Group for the design and permitting of a raised boardwalk on North Road in the Bells Neck Conservation Area in the amount of $142,065, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Kelleher)
Approve a contract with Five Star Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles to lease eighty (80) golf carts for the Cranberry Valley Golf Course per the following terms: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026,...
To approve a contract with Five Star Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles to lease eighty (80) golf carts for the Cranberry Valley Golf Course per the following terms: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026, with a revenue share of 60% of gross revenue for the Town and 40% gross for the lessor; January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2027, with a revenue share of 65% of gross revenue for the Town and 35% gross for the lessor; January 1, 2028 - December 31, 2028, with a revenue share of 70% of gross revenue for the Town and 30% gross for the lessor
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to approve a contract with Five Star Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles to lease eighty (80) golf carts for the Cranberry Valley Golf Course per the following terms: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026, with a revenue share of 60% of gross revenue for the Town and 40% gross for the lessor; January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2027, with a revenue share of 65% of gross revenue for the Town and 35% gross for the lessor; January 1, 2028 - December 31, 2028, with a revenue share of 70% of gross revenue for the Town and 30% gross for the lessor, 2nd by Mr. Handler and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Authorize the Chair to sign a contract with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) to assist the Board of Appeals during the 456 Queen Anne Pennrose Project application process
To authorize the Chair to sign a contract with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) to assist the Board of Appeals during the 456 Queen Anne Pennrose Project application process. Funds up to $10,000 have been awarded to the town under the 40B Technical Grant program
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to authorize the Chair to sign a contract with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) to assist the Board of Appeals during the 456 Queen Anne Pennrose Project application process. Funds up to $10,000 have been awarded to the town under the 40B Technical Grant program, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Kelleher)
Adjourn the regular meeting of the Select Board at 10:06 p.m
To adjourn the regular meeting of the Select Board at 10:06 p.m
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Select Board at 10:06 p.m., 2nd by Mr. Piekarski approved 5-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, 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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →