MassVoter.com← Harwich Select Board
Harwich Member
Donald Howell
Elected townwide · 10 terms in this record
Don Howell
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2026–2027 Board
On split votes, Howell voted the same way as…
- Peter Piekarski71% (5 of 7)
- Mark Kelleher43% (3 of 7)
- Anita Doucette29% (2 of 7)
- Jeffrey Handler29% (2 of 7)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2026–2027 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Howell as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole board” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
In the news
No recent stories found that name Donald Howell in the headline or opening.
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Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 9 of 10 Select Board meetings in 2026–2027 Board.
Missed
- Jun 29, 2026 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (10)
- Sep 21, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Sep 14, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Sep 8, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Aug 10, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jul 27, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jul 13, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 29, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Jun 22, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 15, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 8, 2026 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2026–2027 Board
Sep 21Approve consent agenda item e, with letters of thanksMotion: To approve consent agenda item e, with letters of thanksPassed 4–0 · Howell: Not recorded
September 21, 2026: Approve consent agenda item e, with letters of thanks
To approve consent agenda item e, with letters of thanks
The minutes say 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Peter Piekarski, Mark Kelleher, Jeffrey Handler, Anita Doucette and Donald Howell). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to approve consent agenda item e, with letters of thanks, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 4-0-0.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kelleher)
Sep 14C.30A, §§18-25, as amendedMotion: c.30A, §§18-25, as amendedPassed Unanimous, 5 present · Howell: Yes
September 14, 2026: C.30A, §§18-25, as amended
C.30A, §§18-25, as amended
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“c.30A, §§18-25, as amended, 2nd by Mr. Howell and approved 5-0-0.” (second: Howell)
Sep 8Approve consent agenda item cMotion: To approve consent agenda item cFailed 1–4 · Howell: Not recorded
September 8, 2026: Approve consent agenda item c
To approve consent agenda item c
The minutes add a name in brackets after the count ("(Kelleher in favor)") without saying how that member voted. The minutes give only the count (1-4), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve consent agenda item c, 2nd by Ms. Doucette and denied 1-4- 0 (Kelleher in favor).” (Motion: Handler, second: Doucette)
Aug 10Approve the Board of Health member appointments as presented…Motion: To approve the Board of Health member appointments as presented in…Passed 4–0 · Howell: Yes
August 10, 2026: Approve the Board of Health member appointments as presented in the packet
To approve the Board of Health member appointments as presented in the packet
Voted: Yes
Yes: Doucette, Howell, Kelleher, PiekarskiAbstained: Handler
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the Board of Health member appointments as presented in the packet, 2nd by Mr. Howell and approved 4-0-1 (Handler abstained).” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Jul 27Nominate Matthew Sutphin a Harwich representative to the Cape…Motion: To nominate Matthew Sutphin a Harwich representative to the Cape Cod…Passed 3–2 · Howell: Yes
July 27, 2026: Nominate Matthew Sutphin a Harwich representative to the Cape Cod Commission with a term to expire April 24, 2029
To nominate Matthew Sutphin a Harwich representative to the Cape Cod Commission with a term to expire April 24, 2029
Voted: Yes
Yes: Howell, Kelleher, PiekarskiNo: Doucette, Handler
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to nominate Matthew Sutphin a Harwich representative to the Cape Cod Commission with a term to expire April 24, 2029, 2nd by Mr. Howell and approved 3-2- 0 (Doucette & Handler opposed).” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Howell)
Jul 27Appoint Patrick Otton as Harwich's representative to the Pleasant…Motion: To appoint Patrick Otton as Harwich's representative to the Pleasant Bay…Failed 2–3 · Howell: No
July 27, 2026: Appoint Patrick Otton as Harwich's representative to the Pleasant Bay Alliance Steering Committee for a term to expire on June 30, 2027
To appoint Patrick Otton as Harwich's representative to the Pleasant Bay Alliance Steering Committee for a term to expire on June 30, 2027
Voted: No
Yes: Doucette, KelleherNo: Handler, Howell, Piekarski
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to appoint Patrick Otton as Harwich's representative to the Pleasant Bay Alliance Steering Committee for a term to expire on June 30, 2027, 2nd by Ms. Doucette and denied 2-3-0 (Howell, Handler and Piekarski opposed).” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Doucette)
Jul 27Approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment…Motion: To approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment license…Passed 3–2 · Howell: No
July 27, 2026: Approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment license for Perks for an event to be held on August 6, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., event to…
To approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment license for Perks for an event to be held on August 6, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., event to be held at 545 Route 28
Voted: No
Yes: Doucette, Handler, KelleherNo: Howell, Piekarski
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment license for Perks for an event to be held on August 6, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., event to be held at 545 Route 28, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 3-2-0 (Piekarski and Howell opposed.” (Motion: Handler, second: Kelleher)
Jul 27Approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment…Motion: To approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment license…Passed 3–2 · Howell: No
July 27, 2026: Approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment license for Perks for an event to be held on August 20, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., event to…
To approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment license for Perks for an event to be held on August 20, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., event to be held at 545 Route 28
Voted: No
Yes: Doucette, Handler, KelleherNo: Howell, Piekarski
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve a special permit application for a one-day entertainment license for Perks for an event to be held on August 20, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., event to be held at 545 Route 28, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 3-2-0 (Piekarski and Howell opposed).” (Motion: Handler, second: Kelleher)
Jul 13Accept the resignation of Kevin DuPont from the Board…Motion: To accept the resignation of Kevin DuPont from the Board of…Passed 4–1 · Howell: Yes
July 13, 2026: Accept the resignation of Kevin DuPont from the Board of Health, effective immediately
To accept the resignation of Kevin DuPont from the Board of Health, effective immediately
Voted: Yes
Yes: Doucette, Howell, Kelleher, PiekarskiNo: Handler
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to accept the resignation of Kevin DuPont from the Board of Health, effective immediately, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 4-1-0 (Handler opposed).” (Motion: Handler, second: Kelleher)
Jun 22Approve the Fiscal Year 2027 Human Service Grant recipients…Motion: To approve the Fiscal Year 2027 Human Service Grant recipients as…Passed 4–0 · Howell: Not recorded
June 22, 2026: Approve the Fiscal Year 2027 Human Service Grant recipients as presented in the packet
To approve the Fiscal Year 2027 Human Service Grant recipients as presented in the packet
The minutes say 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Peter Piekarski, Mark Kelleher, Jeffrey Handler, Donald Howell and Anita Doucette). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 Human Service Grant recipients as presented in the packet, 2nd by Ms. Doucette and approved 4-0-0.” (Motion: Handler, second: Doucette)
Votes with no disagreement (86)
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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