MassVoter.com← Harwich Select BoardHarwich Former Select Board member
Mary Anderson
Elected townwide · 3 terms in this record
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2023–2024 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2023–2024 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Anderson 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.
Attendance
At the start of 17 of 19 Select Board meetings in 2023–2024 Board.
Missed
- Oct 16, 2023 · Regular: Absent
- Jul 24, 2023 · Joint: Absent
Every meeting (19)
- Oct 23, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Oct 16, 2023 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 2, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Sep 25, 2023 · Joint: Present
- Sep 18, 2023 · Joint: Present
- Sep 11, 2023 · Work Session: Present
- Sep 5, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Aug 21, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jul 31, 2023 · Work Session: Present
- Jul 24, 2023 · Joint: Absent
- Jul 24, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jul 17, 2023 · Work Session: Present
- Jul 10, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 26, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 20, 2023 · Work Session: Present
- Jun 12, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 5, 2023 · Regular: Present
- May 30, 2023 · Regular: Present
- May 22, 2023 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2023–2024 Board
Oct 2Accept the Golf Committee's Charge as presented with these…Motion: To accept the Golf Committee's Charge as presented with these modifications:…Passed 3–1 · Anderson: Not recorded
October 2, 2023: Accept the Golf Committee's Charge as presented with these modifications: Omission of Chair in Chair email and language change from "if a member of the Golf Committee has any concerns"…
To accept the Golf Committee's Charge as presented with these modifications: Omission of Chair in Chair email and language change from "if a member of the Golf Committee has any concerns" to " if a member of the Golf Committee has any concern regarding wees"
The minutes give only the count (3-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to accept the Golf Committee's Charge as presented with these modifications: Omission of Chair in Chair email and language change from "if a member of the Golf Committee has any concerns" to " if a member of the Golf Committee has any concern regarding wees", seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Mr. Howell expressed his concern about advisory committees waiting for instruction from the Select Board. He suggested a mechanism to eliminate that issue and suggested wording. Mr. Handler responded and noted that Counsel made it clear that the direction should come from the Select Board. More discussion followed regarding the options for agenda building. Vote 3:1 with Mr. Howell voting Nay. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Oct 2Approve a construction contract agreement with T.W. Nickerson Inc.…Motion: To approve a construction contract agreement with T.W. Nickerson Inc. as…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Anderson: Yes
October 2, 2023: Approve a construction contract agreement with T.W. Nickerson Inc. as presented
To approve a construction contract agreement with T.W. Nickerson Inc. as presented
Voted: Yes
Jeffrey Handler stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to approve a construction contract agreement with T.W. Nickerson Inc. as presented, seconded by Mr. Howell. Mark Kelleher made a request of the Harbormaster to ask the contractor to use the smallest size riprap for safety reasons. Mr. Rendon agreed to ask the engineer about the smaller riprap. Vote 3:0:1 with Mr. Handler recused. Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Oct 2Approve a $500.00 reduction in the sign fees for…Motion: To approve a $500.00 reduction in the sign fees for 6…Passed 3–1 · Anderson: Not recorded
October 2, 2023: Approve a $500.00 reduction in the sign fees for 6 signs in the among of $100.00
To approve a $500.00 reduction in the sign fees for 6 signs in the among of $100.00
The minutes give only the count (3-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve a $500.00 reduction in the sign fees for 6 signs in the among of $100.00, seconded by Mr. Howell. Board discussion followed verifying that it is one application but each sign is $100.00. Also noted was a previous request for a waiver that had been denied. Board members asked Ms. House questions regarding distance between signs and the length of time they are up which she answered. Vote 3:1 with Mr. MacAskill voting Nay. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Oct 2Approve the fee waiver request as presentedMotion: To approve the fee waiver request as presentedFailed 1–3 · Anderson: No
October 2, 2023: Approve the fee waiver request as presented
To approve the fee waiver request as presented
Voted: No
Yes: HowellNo: Anderson, Handler, MacAskill
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to approve the fee waiver request as presented, seconded by Mr. Howell. Mr. MacAskill commented that this and other requests that have been denied in the past. and noted that these applications do cost the Town money. Vote 1:3 against with Mr. Howell voting for and Mr. MacAskill, Mr. Handler and Ms. Anderson voting against.” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)
Sep 18Waive the Town's Right to First Refusal as presentedMotion: To waive the Town's Right to First Refusal as presentedPassed 4–0 · Anderson: Yes
September 18, 2023 (Joint meeting): Waive the Town's Right to First Refusal as presented
To waive the Town's Right to First Refusal as presented
Voted: Yes
Yes: Anderson, Handler, Howell, MacAskillThe minutes say Julie Kavanagh was not present for this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to waive the Town's Right to First Refusal as presented, seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote 4:0 in favor (Ms. Kavanagh was not present to vote) Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)
Sep 18HandlerMotion: HandlerPassed Unanimous, 5 present · Anderson: Yes
September 18, 2023 (Joint meeting): Handler
Handler
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Handler, seconded by Ms. Kavanagh. Mr. Handler accepted the nomination. Mr. Powers explained what the Inter-municipal agreement is and what Departments are effected. Vote 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (second: Kavanagh)
Aug 21Move the meeting into Executive Session as presentedMotion: To move the meeting into Executive Session as presentedPassed 4–0 · Anderson: Not recorded
August 21, 2023: Move the meeting into Executive Session as presented
To move the meeting into Executive Session as presented
The minutes say 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Mary Anderson, Julie Kavanagh, Jeffrey Handler, Donald Howell and Michael MacAskill). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to move the meeting into Executive Session as presented, seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Vote: 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Aug 21Affirm the appointment of Don Yannuzzi as Natural Resource…Motion: To affirm the appointment of Don Yannuzzi as Natural Resource DirectorPassed 4–0 · Anderson: Yes
August 21, 2023: Affirm the appointment of Don Yannuzzi as Natural Resource Director
To affirm the appointment of Don Yannuzzi as Natural Resource Director
Voted: Yes
Yes: Anderson, Handler, Kavanagh, MacAskillAbstained: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Handler moved to affirm the appointment of Don Yannuzzi as Natural Resource Director, seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Mr. Howell stated that he will be abstaining until there is a discussion about why so many people are leaving even after recently being appointed. - Mr. MacAskill asked Mr. Powers to give them an overview of Mr. Yannuzzi's employment. Mr. Powers gave an overview of Mr. Yannuzzi's employment with the town and his continuing education. Vote 4:0:1 in favor with Mr. Howell abstaining. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: MacAskill)
Jul 24Request that a professional from the United States Golf…Motion: To request that a professional from the United States Golf Association/Massachusetts…Passed 4–1 · Anderson: No
July 24, 2023: Request that a professional from the United States Golf Association/Massachusetts Golf Association review the situation and report back to the Select Board with their findings
To request that a professional from the United States Golf Association/Massachusetts Golf Association review the situation and report back to the Select Board with their findings
Voted: No
Yes: Handler, Howell, Kavanagh, MacAskillNo: AndersonThe minutes say "and approved 4-1-0 (Anderson)"; MassVoter reads the name in brackets as the member who voted with the minority (no).
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to request that a professional from the United States Golf Association/Massachusetts Golf Association review the situation and report back to the Select Board with their findings, 2nd by Mr. MacAskill and approved 4-1-0 (Anderson).” (Motion: Howell, second: MacAskill)
Jul 24Handler moved Approve the contract with Atlantic Recycling Equipment,…Motion: Handler moved Approve the contract with Atlantic Recycling Equipment, LLC for…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Anderson: Yes
July 24, 2023: Handler moved Approve the contract with Atlantic Recycling Equipment, LLC for the purchase of two Municipal Solid Waste Trailers - $205,000
Handler moved Approve the contract with Atlantic Recycling Equipment, LLC for the purchase of two Municipal Solid Waste Trailers - $205,000
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Handler moved Approve the contract with Atlantic Recycling Equipment, LLC for the purchase of two Municipal Solid Waste Trailers - $205,000, 2nd by Mr. Howell and approved 5-0-0.” (second: Howell)
Votes with no disagreement (89)
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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