Harwich Water Board Approves Frozen-Meter Abatement, Schedules Rate Vote Before May Election

HARWICH — April 10, 2026 — Harwich Water and Sewer Commission approves abatements and braces for May water restrictions. The board, meeting April 10 without Commissioner Judith Underwood, approved third-quarter water usage abatements of $2,543.24, internal water adjustments of $12,783.47, and a wastewater adjustment of $49.67 by voice vote. The board also voted unanimously to reduce a $950 bill for 57 Pleasant Street property owner Justin Pallas to $292.14 under the department's disaster rate after a frozen and cracked basement meter discharged an estimated 167,000 gallons from the vacant home. Superintendent Jason reported that groundwater levels, currently about 0.65 feet above the state's 31.05-foot mandatory restriction threshold, have improved 1.2 feet since March 1 but will still likely trigger a two-day-per-week outdoor watering restriction around May 1. The superintendent also reported a cost estimate of $7.49 million for the Route 28 Phase 1 East water main replacement — down from a working figure of roughly $8.3 million — with an April 24 meeting with engineering firm GHD and owner's project manager Dan set to finalize a bid schedule targeting September 2026 construction. The board set April 28 for a first water rate briefing and May 12 for a rate vote, aiming to act before the May 19 town election.