Harwich Conservation Commission Approves Amended Orders Amid Active Land Court Dispute

HARWICH -- July 15, 2026, Harwich Conservation Commission approved two amended orders of conditions and navigated an active Land Court dispute at its July 15 meeting. The most contested item, a minor rear-yard regrading at 25 Monomy Road involving approximately 12 cubic yards of additional fill, drew opposition from abutter Elizabeth Catchi of 32 Brooks Road and her attorney, Jack Hernand of Sen Associates in Brewster, who argued that ongoing adverse possession litigation over the disputed strip warranted a delay. The commission voted 4-2 to approve the amended order after one member argued that a stamped survey from a licensed land surveyor was "suitable" documentation that "outweighs any other discussion about who owns what." The public hearing remains open pending drafting of the formal order. The commission also approved 6-0 an amended order for 166 Bank Street incorporating a land management plan by Wilkinson Ecological Design for removal of invasive English ivy, multiflora rose, and Asiatic bittersweet from approximately 3,700 square feet of wetland buffer, conditioned on use of a wetland-approved herbicide and a pre-planting staff site visit to verify planting density.