Harwich Finance Committee reviews $86.7 million FY27 budget with few departments seeking increases

HARWICH — February 26, 2026 — Harwich Finance Committee reviews $86.7 million FY27 budget in weather-shortened session. The committee heard back-to-back presentations Thursday from the Water and Wastewater Commission and acting town administration, with Finance Committee Chair Bob McCriedy presiding over a meeting cut to under an hour by a community center closure. Water and Wastewater Commission Chair Norine Digum flagged a $200,000 omission in water rates projections and disclosed that a $17.5 million Route 28 water main project remains stalled awaiting a state Department of Transportation permit. The general government budget totals roughly $86,737,000, a 4.6 percent increase over FY26, with public safety and public works the only two departments showing spending increases; all other town departments came in below their FY26 budgets. Acting Town Administrator Jay credited a zero-based budgeting process by Finance Director Jen and former Interim Town Administrator Tony, noting the $780,000 wastewater fund deficit will be covered by the special-purpose wastewater stabilization fund, and that all seven collective bargaining agreements are fully funded in the proposal.