Harwich Board Appoints Sutphin To ‘Shake Up’ Cape Cod Commission

July 29, 2026

by William F. Galvin

Matt Sutphin was appointed Harwich’s representative to the Cape Cod Commission on Monday. WILLIAM F. GALVIN PHOTO

HARWICH – The select board made it clear on Monday that they were looking for a Cape Cod Commission representative who will alter the way the regional planning agency does business.

On a 3-2 vote, the board approved Matt Sutphin to serve a three-year term on the commission.

Initially three candidates sought the position: Sutphin, David Spitz and Peter Cholakis. But Cholakis withdrew his name earlier in the day. The board was seeking to fill the position created when representative Jaqueline Etsten, a longtime member, chose not to serve another three-year term.

“It has been an interesting journey, albeit a frustrating one,” Etsten wrote in her resignation letter. “The present direction of the Cape Cod Commission is very different than that originally envisioned.”

That was a message the select board heard. During deliberations on Monday, board members made it clear they were frustrated with the performance of the commission.

“This is a big moment,” said select board member Jeffrey Handler, “because of the feeling I’ve had over the past several months, if not two to three years, that we’re being told from the top down how to run our town by the state and regional governments, and it trickles down to us, and we’re playing defense. Voters should be at the top of the food chain.

“I agree the Cape Cod Commission has lost [its] way. I do want more cooperation, a team approach from our representative who is working just as we are for the residents of the town of Harwich,” he said.

“I’m personally looking for someone to go there and shake things up,” said select board member Mark Kelleher.

Board member Donald Howell said the commission is acting more through subcommittees, and he is not sure that’s what the town signed up for.

Sutphin said he has lived in Harwich for most of his 77 years and seen many changes in town. Sutphin said he is an independent thinker and he does the research to understand future consequences.

He spoke of the need to set a carrying capacity to preserve the character of Harwich and control the seasonal population impacts that are changing the community. He said the community must take safe and sensible approaches every time a decision is made.

“This is not the Cape Cod Commission I was excited about in its initiation,” Sutphin said.

Spitz highlighted his career in public service, the 17 years he has lived in town, the seven years he served as town planner, and his four years on the local planning committee, which was instrumental in the upgrade of the town’s local comprehensive plan. He assured the board the local comprehensive plan would be in the front of his mind while serving the community.

Spitz agreed with Sutphin that Harwich is changing, adding that issues can be addressed both on the local and regional level. He also emphasized the need for better planning to address attainable housing for the workforce. The Cape Cod Commission can be a part of that, he said.

Both candidates agreed that more direct communication by the town’s commission representative with the select board and the community is necessary.

“I think the previous officeholder wasn’t listened to and we need somebody who will bring a whole new attitude,” Kelleher said. “Matt Sutphin has the mindset. The Cape Cod Commission is not following what we want them to do. I’m looking for someone to upset the way they are doing business.”

Kelleher offered a motion to appoint Sutphin. Select board members Howell, Kelleher and chair Peter Piekarski voted in support, while Handler and Anita Doucette voted against the motion.