HARWICH – Representatives of the Monomoy Regional School District presented a $42,802,403 fiscal 2023 school budget to selectmen Monday night, an increase of 2.98 percent. The methodology for assessing the town's contribution to the budget, however, could change, to the benefit of Harwich. Under the existing regional agreement, Harwich would contribute $28,040,998, a 2.5 percent increase, and Chatham $8,774,04...

HARWICH – The waters of Pleasant Bay are an ideal setting for sailing instruction and a nursery for the dissemination of marine science knowledge. Pleasant Bay Community Boating, the nonprofit sailing and marine education center, makes full use of these assets. The Community Sailing Committee of US Sailing recognizes PBCB's commitment and presented the organization with its Creative Innovations In Progra...

HARWICH – The Community Preservation Committee acted favorably toward affordable housing requests in its recommendations on how the town should spend Community Preservation Act funds in the upcoming annual town meeting. The committee is recommending $100,000 be provided to Pennrose to assist with a 62-unit mixed-use development at the former Cape Cod 5 headquarters in Orleans; $500,000 for the Affordable...

HARWICH – Selectmen are emphasizing the need to take immediate steps to develop an action plan to address the dire need for affordable housing. “ We’re never going to get to the point we need. We’re 15 years behind,” Selectmen Chairman Mchael MacAskill said during a lengthy discussion about housing needs at the board’s Jan. 31 meeting. The town has to create housing for police officers, firefight...

NORTH HARWICH — In an achievement capping nearly five years’ work, the Family Pantry of Cape Cod has been given four stars – top honors – by Charity Navigator. Awarded to only a small fraction of nominees, the rating recognizes charities that meet exacting standards for financial transparency, governance, volunteerism and leadership. “I was so excited when we received this,” Family Pantry Executive Director ...

HARWICH – A budget is a “statement of town priorities,” Town Administrator Joseph Powers said as he made a presentation on the fiscal 2023 budget to selectmen Monday night.  Staffing needs were high on Powers’ priorities list, including the creation of a new full-time director of cultural affairs; a program specialist for the council on aging; a housing advocate; and increasing a part-time health inspect...

HCT, Town Seek Funding For Major Six Ponds Purchase  HARWICH – The town and the Harwich Conservation Trust are preparing to team up for a major open space purchase in the Six Ponds Special District. The trust has begun a $3 million fund-raising campaign for the purchase of 85 acres known as the Six Pond Great Woods Project. The land is located adjacent to Aunt Edies, Cornelius, Walkers, Black, O...

HARWICH – The Seal Pub's request for an outdoor entertainment license drew 90 minutes of debate Monday night, with a vocal mix of support and opposition from neighbors and patrons. The pub has had issues with the town and the neighbors in the past year. Selectmen issued four warnings to the pub for incidents in 2021, including over-serving customers, staff drinking after hours, and noise violations. In D...

HARWICH – Two petitioned articles have been filed for the annual town meeting seeking to protect and preserve the historic West Harwich schoolhouse. The articles aim to protect the circa 1871 building from demolition, assure the preservation of the exterior, and allow the town to sell, lease, or donate the building. The articles were filed last Thursday by Sally Urbano, president of the West Harwi...

HARWICH – The Coachman Motel in South Harwich will be a dormitory for Wychmere Beach Club employees this summer. The 26-room motel at 774 Route 28 was sold in October for $1.5 million to Coachman Harwich Property Owner LLC, which includes owners of the Wychmere Beach Club. The property is adjacent to the Wychmere Beach Club’s tennis facilities. The appeals board last week approved a special permit...

HARWICH – Phil Gaudet, the executive assistant in the town clerk’s office, has taken out nomination papers to run for the town clerk position. “ It would be an honor and a privilege to serve the residents and voters of the town of Harwich,” Gaudet said. Anita Doucette announced a couple of weeks ago that she is retiring at the end of her term in May after serving as town clerk for 30 years, the s...

HARWICH – While the tri-town Dennis-Harwich-Yarmouth Clean Water Partnership has been set aside, selectmen have said they want to continue to pursue a regional solution to treating wastewater with the town of Dennis. Water/Wastewater Superintendent Dan Pelletier told selectmen last week that he attended a wastewater session with Dennis officials in which they discussed regional treatment options. Pelleti...