Harwich clears demolition of 1888 house on Route 28
Other Committee · Meeting of September 2, 2026
Harwich Historical Commission clears demolition of 1888 house for a marsh trailhead. The commission voted 6-0 to let the Harwich Conservation Trust demolish a deteriorating 1888 house at 202 Route 28, with no delay imposed, conditioned on a storyboard documenting the property's history. Trustee John Eidman argued the building has no objective historic significance and is riddled with asbestos and hazards; commission member Bob Doan called it "a true good example of demolition by neglect." Resident Matt Sutton pushed back, citing an estimated "$400,000" figure and urging the trust to consider workforce housing with the Harwich Housing Authority instead.
The site will become public parking and trailhead access to HCT's Herring River Marsh boardwalk. The commission also endorsed a Preservation Restriction Agreement for 62 Route 28 LLC pending Massachusetts Historical Commission review, and approved its August 19 minutes 6-0.
In the full story:
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Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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