Harwich CPC Approves $2M-Plus for Town Meeting, Including Church Renovation

Other Committee · Meeting of February 12, 2026

Harwich's Community Preservation Committee voted to recommend more than $2 million in CPC spending for the annual town meeting warrant at its February 12 meeting. The largest single item was $667,500 for the exterior renovation of the historic West Harwich Baptist Church, approved unanimously with the expectation that a historic preservation restriction running to the town would be attached to the grant. The committee also approved $650,000 for the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust — passing 5 to 1 after debate over whether the trust's reference to the Penrose development represented an unusual departure from the committee's practice of awarding discretionary funds — and $225,000 for the Robin's Pond Woodlands Protection project.

The committee voted unanimously to oppose proposed state legislation that would mandate 30 percent of CPC funds go to housing and allow CPC money to fund water and sewer infrastructure, with member Mary warning the changes would cost the town its maximum state matching funds and "dilute" local flexibility. Larry Valentine, chair of the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust, appeared at the meeting and also spoke against the bill, calling the proposed increase in the area median income cap to 200 percent AMI "a mockery of what we're doing for affordable housing."

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of February 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.