HARWICH — A lack of detailed communication about how affordable housing funds will be used is generating conflict between the affordable housing trust and the community preservation committee (CPC). While the CPC has recommended that the next town meeting approve $500,000 for the trust to increase affordable housing stock and $50,000 for a part-time housing coordinator, there has been much debate over the lack...

EAST HARWICH — Harwich residents and taxpayers will have exclusive use of a popular boat landing on Pleasant Bay this summer. The town has taken measures to prohibit the use of Round Cove landing along Pleasant Bay by non-residents from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. The new regulation is reflected in a change in the town’s Harbor Management Plan recommended by Harbormaster John Rendon, and approved by selectme...

HARWICH — Shortly after digital arts teacher Amanda Schuermann was hired at Monomoy Regional High School, she realized there were no art project platforms that gave voice to the inner feelings of students and staff. Schuermann had previously taught at Dorchester Academy and was familiar with a project in Boston area schools where students created posters, providing a platform for them to speak about topics and...

HARWICH – Voters will be asked at the annual town meeting this spring to prohibit hunting in the Bell's Neck Conservation Area. Selectmen have received a petitioned article seeking to ban hunting in the 272-acre, town-owned marsh and woodlands. At present hunting is allowed in all town-owned conservation areas except for Thompson’s Field in order to protect walkers, dog owners and their pets, according to a co...

HARWICH – Incumbent Selectman Julie Kavanagh and the candidate she defeated by 30 votes in the September special election, Jeffrey Handler, have both taken out nomination papers to run for the two three-year terms on the May annual election ballot. Kavanagh was elected in the special election in September to fill the unexpired term of Selectman Stephen Ford, who passed away in April. Her abbreviated term expir...

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...