Harwich Select Board Appoints Matt Sutton as New Cape Cod Commission Representative

Select Board · Meeting of July 27, 2026

Harwich Select Board voted 3-2 to appoint Matt Sutton as the town's Cape Cod Commission representative, choosing him over retired planner David Spitz in the most contested action of the July 27 meeting. The board cited the resignation letter of outgoing rep Jackie Ettson, who wrote that commission staff repeatedly ignored her input and failed to make requested changes, as motivation to send someone with a stronger personality. Select Board Member Mark Hanlon, who made the motion, said "I think we need somebody to go in there to really bring a whole new attitude." The board also voted unanimously to update the Harbor Management Plan fine schedule, raising the minimum penalty from $50 to $100 for a first offense, pending confirmation from town counsel that the change requires no public hearing — a fix Harbor Master John Harker said was needed because the current $50 maximum makes it cheaper to take the fine than pay for a mooring reservation.

The board separately failed 2-3 to appoint Patrick Otten to the Pleasant Bay Alliance Steering Committee, with a majority saying they wanted a broader applicant pool, and approved roughly $1.5 million in contracts including a $489,693 catch basin replacement award and a $548,548 equipment lease for Cranberry Valley Golf Course at a 4.23 percent tax-exempt rate, saving the town approximately $9,000 over the prior financing offer.

In the full story:

• The board approved the following contracts unanimously
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,650 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.