Harwich Select Board Approves Housing Deal, Retainer, and Nearly $1.4 Million in Contracts

Select Board · Meeting of August 10, 2026

Harwich Select Board fills Board of Health seats 4-0-1 and approves nearly $1.4 million in contracts at packed taxpayer forum. Select Board Member Jeff Handler abstained on the two Board of Health appointments, saying he wants a process discussion before placing new members on the board following the June 22 resignations of two incumbents; the other four members voted in favor. The board unanimously approved a KP Law retainer under Option C, estimated at roughly $168,000 for the remainder of fiscal year 2027, after Town Administrator Jay McGrail presented data showing it would have saved money in prior years.

Two Community Preservation Act agreements totaling $892,500 were approved — $667,500 for exterior renovation of the historic West Harwich Baptist Church and $225,000 for the Robins Pond Woodlands Land Protection Project — along with an affordable housing regulatory agreement for Five Bells Neck Road that McGrail said was critical to securing a two-year state safe harbor from 40B comprehensive permit applications. DPW Director Link Hooper, who announced his retirement effective this winter after 35 years with the town, credited a $300,000 private donation from Paul Manning and sustained pressure from non-resident taxpayer Sue Tomich as essential to completing the Route 28 sidewalk, which he said cost Harwich taxpayers $200,000.

In the full story:

• Fire Department
• Police Department
• Harbor Master
• Golf, Recreation, DPW (Water/Wastewater), Library
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 4,881 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.