Harwich Select Board Approves Phase 3A Sewer Contract Intent and Fire Fee Overhaul

HARWICH — April 6, 2026 — Harwich Select Board unanimously advances Phase 3A sewer contract, revises fire fees, and confirms housing trust pick. The board voted April 6 to authorize the intent to award the Phase 3A Sewer Extension Project contract to the state revolving fund program, pending SRF approval before full execution. Fire Chief Dave LeBlanc won approval of the department's first fee schedule update since 2008, standardizing permit and inspection charges with neighboring Cape towns and adding a pass-through CPR certification fee after Cape and Islands EMS ended its billing role. Town Administrator Jay Spiavi's appointment of Michael McCaskill as his designee to the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust was confirmed unanimously, replacing Larry Ballantyne, who signaled he wanted only a short remaining term. The board also heard from Crescendo Consulting Group on a five-town opioid regional needs assessment — flagging gaps in inpatient treatment, sober housing, and psychiatric services — and accepted the resignation of Cape Cod Commission representative Jackie Edson, who said Commission decisions on housing in marine zones and a multi-year pattern of staff-driven approvals without full commission debate had left her unable to represent Harwich's interests effectively. Spiavi reported a roughly $300,000 deficit in the Wastewater Retained Earnings Fund under investigation and noted that all 30 non-resident herring harvest permits sold out within four hours on Saturday.