MassVoter.com← Harwich Select Board
Harwich Clerk
Jeffrey Handler
Elected townwide · 4 terms in this record
Jeff Handler
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2025–2026 Board
On split votes, Handler voted the same way as…
- Anita Doucette77% (20 of 26)
- Mark Kelleher62% (16 of 26)
- Donald Howell50% (13 of 26)
- Peter Piekarski38% (10 of 26)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2025–2026 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Handler 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 Jeffrey Handler in the headline or opening.
Stories that name Jeffrey Handler in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.
Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 42 of 44 Select Board meetings in 2025–2026 Board.
Missed
- Jan 20, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Jun 23, 2025 · Joint: Absent
Every meeting (44)
- Jun 1, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 21, 2026 · Joint: Present
- May 18, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 11, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 4, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 27, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 13, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 6, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 30, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 23, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 16, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 9, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 17, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 9, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 2, 2026 · Joint: Present
- Jan 20, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Jan 12, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 10, 2026 · Special: Present
- Jan 5, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Dec 22, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Dec 15, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Dec 8, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Nov 24, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Nov 17, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Nov 3, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Oct 27, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Oct 22, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Oct 14, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Oct 6, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Sep 29, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Sep 22, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Sep 15, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Sep 8, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Aug 25, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Aug 18, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Aug 4, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jul 21, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jul 8, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jun 30, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jun 23, 2025 · Joint: Absent
- Jun 16, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jun 9, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jun 2, 2025 · Regular: Present
- May 27, 2025 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2025–2026 Board
Jun 1Approve the annual Harwich Police Department Reappointments as presentedMotion: To approve the annual Harwich Police Department Reappointments as presentedPassed 4–0 · Handler: Yes
June 1, 2026: Approve the annual Harwich Police Department Reappointments as presented
To approve the annual Harwich Police Department Reappointments as presented
Voted: Yes
Yes: Doucette, Handler, Howell, KelleherAbstained: Piekarski
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the annual Harwich Police Department Reappointments as presented, 2nd by Ms. Doucette and approved 4-0-1 (Piekarski abstained).” (Motion: Handler, second: Doucette)
May 11Approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by…Motion: To approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR…Passed 4–1 · Handler: Yes
May 11, 2026: Approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) new fully owned 45' pole and one (1) new 40' fully…
To approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) new fully owned 45' pole and one (1) new 40' fully owned pole on Main Street
Voted: Yes
Yes: Doucette, Handler, Kelleher, PiekarskiNo: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) new fully owned 45' pole and one (1) new 40' fully owned pole on Main Street, 2nd by Mr. Piekarski and approved 4-1-0 (Howell opposed).” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Piekarski)
May 11Approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by…Motion: To approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR…Passed 3–2 · Handler: No
May 11, 2026: Approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) new stub pole and anchor on Pleasant Street and install one...
To approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) new stub pole and anchor on Pleasant Street and install one (1) new push brace at pole on South Street
Voted: No
Yes: Doucette, Kelleher, PiekarskiNo: Handler, Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Kelleher moved to approve the Town Administrator's recommendation to grant permission by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to install one (1) new stub pole and anchor on Pleasant Street and install one (1) new push brace at pole on South Street, 2nd by Ms. Doucette and approved 3-2-0 (Handler & Howell opposed).” (Motion: Kelleher, second: Doucette)
May 11Approve the 206 Long Pond Bass Tournaments as presentedMotion: To approve the 206 Long Pond Bass Tournaments as presentedPassed 4–1 · Handler: Yes
May 11, 2026: Approve the 206 Long Pond Bass Tournaments as presented
To approve the 206 Long Pond Bass Tournaments as presented
Voted: Yes
Yes: Doucette, Handler, Kelleher, PiekarskiNo: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the 206 Long Pond Bass Tournaments as presented, 2nd by Mr. Piekarski and approved 4-1-0 (Howell opposed).” (Motion: Handler, second: Piekarski)
Apr 13Allow the member on the Treasure Chest Committee and…Motion: To allow the member on the Treasure Chest Committee and Golf…Passed 3–2 · Handler: No
April 13, 2026: Allow the member on the Treasure Chest Committee and Golf Committee who were appointed in February 2026 to be given a grace period not to exceed Monday, May 11, 2026…
To allow the member on the Treasure Chest Committee and Golf Committee who were appointed in February 2026 to be given a grace period not to exceed Monday, May 11, 2026 at close of business, to complete their required Conflict of Interest training
Voted: No
Yes: Doucette, Howell, KelleherNo: Handler, Piekarski
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to allow the member on the Treasure Chest Committee and Golf Committee who were appointed in February 2026 to be given a grace period not to exceed Monday, May 11, 2026 at close of business, to complete their required Conflict of Interest training, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and approved 3-2-0 (Piekarski & Handler opposed).” (Motion: Handler, second: Kelleher)
Apr 13Remove the members from the Golf Committee, Youth and…Motion: To remove the members from the Golf Committee, Youth and Family…Passed 4–1 · Handler: Yes
April 13, 2026: Remove the members from the Golf Committee, Youth and Family Services, Treasure Chest, Waterways and Bikeways Committee, who are non-compliant with the Conflict of Interest training, effective...
To remove the members from the Golf Committee, Youth and Family Services, Treasure Chest, Waterways and Bikeways Committee, who are non-compliant with the Conflict of Interest training, effective immediately
Voted: Yes
Yes: Doucette, Handler, Howell, PiekarskiNo: KelleherThe minutes say "and approved 4-1-0 (Kelleher)"; MassVoter reads the name in brackets as the member who voted with the minority (no).
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to remove the members from the Golf Committee, Youth and Family Services, Treasure Chest, Waterways and Bikeways Committee, who are non-compliant with the Conflict of Interest training, effective immediately, 2nd by Mr. Piekarski and approved 4-1-0 (Kelleher).” (Motion: Handler, second: Piekarski)
Mar 30Support article 28 on the Annual Town Meeting WarrantMotion: To support article 28 on the Annual Town Meeting WarrantFailed 0–5 · Handler: No
March 30, 2026: Support article 28 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
To support article 28 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Voted: No
No: Doucette, Handler, Howell, Kelleher, Piekarski
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to support article 28 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, 2nd by Mr. Handler and denied 0-5-0.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Mar 30Support article 47 on the Annual Town Meeting WarrantMotion: To support article 47 on the Annual Town Meeting WarrantFailed 1–4 · Handler: Not recorded
March 30, 2026: Support article 47 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
To support article 47 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
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. Piekarski moved to support article 47 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, 2nd by Mr. Handler and denied 1-4-0 (Kelleher in favor).” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Mar 30Support article 52 on the Annual Town Meeting WarrantMotion: To support article 52 on the Annual Town Meeting WarrantFailed 2–3 · Handler: Not recorded
March 30, 2026: Support article 52 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
To support article 52 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
The minutes add a name in brackets after the count ("(Kelleher & Piekarski in favor)") without saying how that member voted. The minutes give only the count (2-3), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to support article 52 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, 2nd by Mr. Handler and denied 2-3-0 (Kelleher & Piekarski in favor).” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Mar 30Support article 53 on the Annual Town Meeting WarrantMotion: To support article 53 on the Annual Town Meeting WarrantFailed 2–3 · Handler: Not recorded
March 30, 2026: Support article 53 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
To support article 53 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
The minutes add a name in brackets after the count ("(Kelleher & Doucette in favor)") without saying how that member voted. The minutes give only the count (2-3), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to support article 53 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, 2nd by Mr. Kelleher and denied 2-3-0 (Kelleher & Doucette in favor).” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Kelleher)
Votes with no disagreement (362)
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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