Peter Piekarski

“he moved to amended the motion to include the reappointment of Sandra Hall to the Brooks Academy Commission, Mr. Piekarski commented that he does not use social media and is unaware of what others are eluding to. He would like an opportunity to speak with Ms. Hall to hear her view. He does not have an issue with seconding Mr. Howell's motion but he is also not inclined to vote against Ms. Hall on the Charter Review Committee. At this point he does not have enough facts on what has transpired to vote against her. Mr. Howell withdrew his motion because if it gets turned down it would have to be subject to a reconsideration vote. His withdrawal will leave an overt vacancy in each position. The current motion on the floor by Mr. MacAskill will leave two vacancies intact. Mr. MacAskill commented that the word bully has often been used against him and there is no greater bully than someone who sits behind their keyboard and throws a shot from a distance. He added that Mr. Howell made Ms. Hall aware that this was going to transpire and she chose not to attend this meeting and defend herself as is her right. The Board members do not have the right, under the law, to defend themselves against the bullying that is on her platform. He feels very strongly that a lot of people are against running for things or wanting to be on things because of that behavior. Anyone that wants to go on line and read it they will read that she has created an atmosphere where you don't even have to use your own name to attack a person and their character. He noted someone who goes on under a fake name and attacks the Town Administrator and the Board members that she does not like. He commented that if a Board member doesn't agree with her, she will immediately go after them. If that was done in a school or workplace, that person would be gone. Under the guise of social media you can say anything you want and this elected body cannot respond back. That person and that character is not what the Board should be putting on their Committees. He has had many people call and ask why they have continued to reappoint Ms. Hall. She was one of the original authors of the Charter and has expressed having a Charter Commission to take the Committee out and go to elected officials. He thinks that it would be Sandra Hall and her friends running for said Commission and he does not think that should be something that the Select Board condones and puts up with. There are lies on that site and the Board members cannot go on the site and correct them. To his knowledge, the only one who has not been attacked is Mr. Howell. People can come to this room and defend or discuss but those conversations don't happen in that room or on Town Meeting Floor. She gets traction on social media and he thinks that probably 80% of the people are on for the entertainment. To the reporter in attendance, Mr. MacAskill would be happy to sit with him and articulate as many things as he wants but the Board should not be condoning bullies whether its the Brooks Academy Commission or the Charter By-law Committee. He stands with both of them, it's the character of the person that he does not think should be on them. Mr. Howell commented that Mr. MacAskill is conflating two different issues. In the period of the time referred to, Mr. Howell has had a number of 4:1 votes against him, it's not him but the positions he is taking. He also stated that Mr. MacAskill had said, on the phone that he was inclined to reappoint Ms. Hall to the Brooks Academy Commission but not to the Charter Review Committee and that is what he called and conveyed to Ms. Hall, not that she would not be appointed to either. Ms. Kavanagh commented that she does not know why one Committee would be ok and the other would not. Other Board do not take issues to social media and she feels their negativity is why there are vacancies on other Committees. She noted that she is not on the site but gets screen shots. The Select Board discusses things openly and anyone can attend and speak to the Board. Ultimately if you're part of a Committee that is raging on social media, you may not say what you want to say to avoid the push back. People who are volunteering their time should feel free to speak up and say what they believe. She reiterated that the motion currently is as Mr. MacAskill presented. Mr. Piekarski commented that he agrees that bullying should not be tolerated by anyone and he has heard from people as to why they may or may not serve on Committees, He does not have enough information to vote against Ms. Hall at this time. His vote will be against the motion but he respects the Board member's opinions and will do his own homework. He is not interested in anyone sending him screen shots. Mr. Howell noted that if Mr. Piekarski does what he said and they do revisit this issue afterwards, it will require a reconsideration vote because voting the list with the omissions was a flat out vacancy. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell)

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“the Attorney General as set forth in 940 CMR 29.03b at least 48 hours not including Saturday, Sundays and legal holidays prior to the time of the meeting and remain so posted at the time of the meeting that no deliberations of decisions in connection with the sale of the Bonds were taken in Executive Session all in accordance with General Law Chapter 30A 18-25 as amended. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (second: Howell)

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“Mr. MacAskill motioned to reconsider Article 16 and support the Finance Committee's recommendation on this Article. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Voted 4-0-1 (Mr. Piekarski abstained), vote carried in favor.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Howell)

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“Mr. Handler moved to approve GHD to proceed for an Award of Contract from the State for base bid of Contract 1-E as well as alternates 1., 2, and 3 as presented as well as approve Contract 2-W base bid as well as alternates 1 and 2 only. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Vote: 3:1 in favor with Mr. Piekarski opposed.”

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“Mr. Handler moved to designate Select Board member Don Howell to present the Proclamation at the Memorial Day Ceremony. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Ms. Kavanagh stated that Mr. Howell is in favor of presenting the Proclamation. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.”

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“Mr. Handler moved to approve the Proclamation announcing June be Harwich Pride Month. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Josh Winston was present and commented that he wanted to make the language clearer so it asserts that it's about the pride in the Town of Harwich and is vastly inclusive of everyone. The way it is authored, speaks to all of that. The idea is to make it less political, more inclusive and more about pride in the community as a whole. Vote: 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.”

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“Mr. Handler moved to accept the change in the Personnel By-Law part-time Classification and Compensation Tables as presented. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.”

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“Mr. Handler moved to vote to approve a fee waiver for tent permit inspections for the Harwich Children's Fund's event Circus Smirkus, in the amount of $450. Seconded by Mr. Piekarski. : Mr. MacAskili asked for clarification of what the $450 includes. Angelica Chilaka was present, representing the Harwich Children's Fund. She noted that all the é administrators in town have been incredible and she expressed her thanks. Ms. Chilaka explained the permitting cost $450. They need an electrician to figure out what is needed, the cost and to fill out the permitting for that. This $450 request is only for the tent. At Mr. Handler's request, Ms. Chilaka explained who the proceeds of Circus Smirkus benefit. She also gave a brief history of the Harwich Children's Fund. 100% of the money raised goes back to the children in Harwich and the Monomoy School system. Mr. Handler asked what is included in a tent inspection. Mr. Powers noted that the tents are considered to be structures. Mr. MacAskill commented that he would be willing to vote half but not the full amount. : Vote: 3:1 in favor with Mr. MacAskill opposed. Motion carried.”

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“Mr. Handler moved to approve the following new license applications for Milano Hospitality Group d/b/a Milano's Italian Kitchen, 278 Route 28: 1. Annual Common Victuallers 2. Annual Weekday Entertainment - 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. inside & outside Jukebox, Radio, Television 3. Annual Sunday Entertainment - 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. inside & outside Jukebox, Radio, Television. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Mr. MacAskill commented on the outside entertainment suggesting that they keep the volume down. There have been complaints from that neighborhood in the past. Vote 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.”

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“Mr. Handler moved to vote to approve a Herring Celebration to be held Sunday, May 19, 2024. It is not a Town based event, it is overseen by the Division of Marine Fisheries. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Mr. MacAskill expressed that he hopes they are not back at the table next year, two months before the herring start running again to hear that they are not going to issue permits for this with all the work that went in to it. He clarified that if the Conservation Agent or anyone who does not work on Sunday want sto go, that they can go. . Ms. Kavanagh clarified that they can go but they are not required to go. The only conversation they have had about having a celebration such as this was in February. The previous discussions on the herring, the improvement and the history over the last couple of years have been about the improvements, not about opening it up or celebrating. They just discussed the improvements. She noted that based on staff input, they were not ready to open. Mr. Chase noted that he serves on the Conservation Commission. He will bring this up at their next meeting and invite members to participate if they wish. Vote: 4:0 in favor. Motion carried.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)