$6 Million Project To Go Before Town Meeting HARWICH — The proposed new East Harwich fire station building met with unanimous site plan and special permit approval by the planning board last week. Voters will be asked in the annual town meeting in May to approve funding for the project. The plan calls for a 9,500 square-foot facility on the same site as the existing 42-year-old fire substation, with the new...

HARWICH — The Harwich Cultural Center will play a major role in the ArtWeek festival that will take place across the state toward the end of the month. The festival seeks to spotlight how the creative economy is thriving in Massachusetts. That will also be the goal here with the “Harwich is Creative” initiative that has been shaped by the center's program aide, Erica Strzepek. ArtWeek is a 10-day festival b...

HARWICH — On a 3-2 vote, selectmen on Monday night decided not to participate in a lawsuit that alleges pharmaceutical companies are responsible for the opioid epidemic and caused additional expenses to municipalities across the nation. Town Counsel John Giorgio made a presentation to selectmen two weeks ago explaining a consortium of lawyers are spearheading the national litigation seeking remuneration for co...

HARWICH — The proposed creation of a crematory at the new pet burial grounds on Queen Anne Road has the support of the selectmen and finance committee heading into town meeting, but one resident said he didn't think it made any sense. If he was an investor on the television program “Shark Tank,” resident Richard Gundersen told selectmen Monday night, he'd say, “I'm out, it doesn't make it.” Cemetery Adminis...

HARWICH – You have to look really hard to find much difference in policy positions among the three candidates running for the Democratic nomination for governor. In a debate at Monomoy Regional High School Monday, the candidates outlined similar positions on issues such as affordable housing, education, immigration and transportation. Each attacked Gov. Charles Baker as ineffective and said as governor they wo...

HARWICH — Town officials admitted Monday night the four annual town meeting articles related to the retail sale of recreational marijuana can be a bit confusing. They were clear, however, on their united support for banning pot sales in town. Both Police Chief David Guillemette and Town Planner Charleen Greenhalgh pointed out it is legal for residents over 21 years of age to smoke marijuana at home and to grow...

HARWICH — Town meeting will be asked to authorize spending of the $1 million Seaport Economic Council grant awarded to the town for the landside construction project at Saquatucket Harbor, in addition to the $3 million originally approved, allowing inclusion of a snack shack in the project. If the grant funds are approved by town meeting voters, Town Administrator Christopher Clark said that will “give the gre...

HARWICH — The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, working with the Harwich Conservation Trust, has purchased the 7.9-acre cranberry bog along Bank Street formerly owned by John and Paula Sennott. The purchase is instrumental to the Harwich Conservation Trust's ecological restoration plan for the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve, which the bog property abuts, giving the trust control of the water flow f...

HARWICH — The Massachusetts Senate has recognized the community contributions of Jimmy Marceline, adjourning its March 12 session in his memory. Mr. Marceline died on Jan., 28 at the age of 92. Mr. Marceline, a decorated veteran of World War II, dedicated his life to country and community. After returning home from war, where he suffered as a prisoner of war, Mr. Marceline spent the remainder of his life impro...

HARWICH — While funding and technical details relating to the design alterations of the Harwich Conservation Trust's Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve are still being discussed, town officials, consultants, state and trust representatives are confident they are getting close to a final plan. “We're actually getting close and I can't think of a more exciting project to address the nitrogen issue,” said David ...

HARWICH — Increasing costs and the town's ability to fund spending requests was a major focus Monday night as selectmen put the finishing touches on article recommendations and the FY19 operating budget. Board of Selectmen Chairman Michael MacAskill pointed out that over the past nine years the budget has increased from $44 million to $65 million. The board's budget message issued last fall called for no more ...

HARWICH — There will be three candidates vying for the single open seat on the board of selectmen in the May 15 annual election, the only race on the ballot. The third candidate, Steven J.F. Scannell, took out nomination papers last Thursday and they were returned and certified by the board of registrars on Monday. Selectman Jannell Brown, whose term expires in May, has decided not to seek re-election. Scan...