Harwich Places First Ownerless Parcel on Tax Rolls After Years of Title Research

HARWICH — April 17, 2026 — Harwich Real Estate and Open Space Committee puts first ownerless parcel on the tax rolls, with FY27 billing set to begin July 1. The committee received a progress update on its multi-year effort to resolve unidentified land parcels, hearing that a 19.77-acre tract behind Little Shaver Pond on Route 39 — the group's top priority since at least 2014 — has been formally assessed to "owners unknown" after KP Law's contracted title abstractor confirmed no owner could be found. A second parcel off Alldovefarm Road remains unresolved because a named heir, Glenn Rose, recently died and researchers are tracing his heirs before a final split assessment can be issued. The committee agreed to stop waiting for quarterly reporting windows and forward completed title reports to the Select Board immediately, and discussed inviting the tax collector's office to explain foreclosure time frames. Member Margo Fenn reported the Local Comprehensive Plan is heading to town meeting after nearly four years of work, and member Elaine Shovlin noted the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust is currently providing rental assistance to approximately seven families, with 14 on the waiting list.