Harwich Board of Health Upholds Route 28 Housing Violations, Eyes Kratom Ban

HARWICH — February 17, 2026 — Harwich Board of Health upholds housing violations at 109 Route 28 and moves toward a kratom sales ban. The board voted 5-0 Tuesday to keep a set of housing code violations in force against a Route 28 rental property owned by the daughter of Raymond Hland, who appeared before the panel contesting citations that included a nonoperational thermostat, mold-encrusted Jacuzzi jets, a cracked sink, ceiling water damage, a rotted exterior post, and untested smoke detectors. Health Inspector Carrie Shirona told Hland the violations would be withdrawn only after a reinspection confirmed repairs were complete or demonstrably underway, saying, "It's not necessarily appeal of the violations — it's a pathway forward." The board separately set a March agenda item on a potential retail ban on kratom products, citing a recent Mashpee ordinance and reports of severe adverse health effects, including deaths, tied to the unregulated substance.