Harwich Facilities Committee moves to draft formal pet policy for community center

Other Committee · Meeting of April 10, 2026

Harwich Facilities Committee advances formal pet policy and teen space proposal for the community center. Meeting April 10, the committee unanimously approved amended prior-meeting minutes and directed staff to draft an animal policy modeled on the Harwich Public Library's service-animal framework, which bars pets, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals while preserving ADA-protected service animal access and a carveout for approved programming; the draft will go to the Select Board for final approval. Director Carolyn cited dog bites and sanitation incidents as the impetus, noting the town currently has no written policy for the building.

The committee also backed a plan for dedicated teen space inside the 26-year-old center, with Carolyn saying she would bring a formal space proposal — with pros and cons — to Town Administrator Jay before any changes are made. A follow-up joint session with the Council on Aging and Recreation Commission was set for April 30 at 1 p.m.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of April 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.