Harwich Voters Approve $11M School Roof Borrowing

HARWICH – Voters on Tuesday showed strong support for the $11.8 million debt exclusion to fund the roof replacement for the Monomoy Regional Middle School, passing the ballot question 732-253. 

Voter turnout was light in the annual election, with 1,004 ballots cast, or 8.25 percent of the registered voters. In the only contested race, Kathleen Ann Cockcroft and Lynn Slangan Budell won the two seats for three-year terms on the Brooks Free Library trustees with 508 and 482 votes respectively. But candidate Cynthia Jane Gushee did not miss by much, receiving 474 votes.

Three of the four debt exclusion ballot questions were approved. The middle school roof project received support at the recent annual town meeting, and Chatham voters approved their town’s share of the funding last week. The new roof will work in tandem with the window and siding replacement currently being done to extend the life of the building, school officials said. 

Voters approved $577,500 for a new ambulance for the fire department 772-220, and also approved $425,000 to purchase and equip a new rescue boat for the harbor department 653-320.

“The support of the public is greatly appreciated,” said Fire Chief David LeBlanc.

LeBlanc said the ambulance is important because three of the current ambulances have about 200,000 miles on them and the fourth one has 100,000 miles. He said there is a backlog in the recycling of the ambulances and it will take two years for the new one to be built and delivered.

LeBlanc was also pleased to have the new rescue boat for the harbor department approved. His department will do training with the harbor department on the search and rescue boat, and he said it will provide more effective access for equipment and resources.

The fourth debt exclusion vote sought $1 million for architectural and engineering services for a new department of public works facility and mechanical workshop, but that request was turned aside in town meeting. It remained on the election ballot and also received a negative vote with 438 in favor and 519 opposing the request.

Incumbent select board members Jeffrey Handler and Donald Howell were unopposed for three-year terms. Handler received 759 votes and Howell garnered 681 votes.

There are two new members elected to three-year terms on the Monomoy Regional School Committee. Kathryn Yemm Cutter received 753 votes and Richard Norman Roy had 739 votes. Monomoy Regional School Committee member Bretten Jeffrey Guillet Fortin, who was appointed in February to fill an unexpired term until the election, was returned to the regional school committee for the remaining year of the unexpired term with 789 votes. 

There were also two new water/wastewater commissioners elected to three-year terms. Ann Frechette received 746 votes, and Ed McManus garnered 689 votes. Kimberly E. Bourgea was returned to the Housing Authority for five years with 770 votes.