Selectmen Want Harwich Center Infrastructure Examined

by William F. Galvin

            HARWICH – The time is right for enhancing and promoting the natural, historic, cultural and recreational assets of Harwich Center, and the Harwich Center Initiative hopes to capitalize on that, in cooperation with residents, businesses owners and local organizations.

            Selectman Ed McManus Monday night urged town staff to assist in initiatives that address the shortcomings of the district, such as parking and additional infrastructure to increase septic treatment capacity, with an eye on making the area more desirable as a place to visit, live and do business.

            McManus said an amalgam of folks involved in cultural activities, historical study and housing, and area residents and businesses are working together as part of the Harwich Center Initiative to accomplish this goal.

            The selectman said town staff should meet with property owners in the village and see what possibilities can be explored to assist in meeting the goals. McManus said the town’s involvement is necessary in order to access sources of funds such as the Public Works Economic Development grants which other towns have used for village center improvements.

            “We need to have discussions with property owners to see if there is any interest in shared solutions,” McManus said. “There is an opportunity to do something significant in Harwich Center.” 

            Currently the water quality committee is beginning to identify Harwich Center as a potential area for wastewater infrastructure, McManus said. He added the town needs to have these discussions, especially with recent changes in property ownership, before money is invested in new septic systems, because residents will be less inclined to invest in future infrastructure if they have already spent money to address their particular needs.

            “We should bring the stakeholders together and leverage the resources we have,” agreed Assistant Town Planner Elizabeth Hude.

            Selectmen on Monday night voted to have Town Administrator James Merriam instruct town staff to investigate parking and wastewater management constraints with the property owners in Harwich Center and bring back findings to the board.

            “I don’t know if we can move any faster. There is already a process in place,” Selectman David Marsland said of the comprehensive wastewater management study now underway.

            An HCI meeting is planned for this Thursday, said Hude. She suggested they hold a second meeting in the near future with Harwich Center property owners specifically to discuss infrastructure needs.

            The town’s planning department has already taken on the role of facilitator of the Harwich Center Initiative. Hude said these efforts are a way of attracting more visitors and residents to the area to stimulate the town’s economy and social vitality.

            The group will meet on Thursday at 3 p.m. at the former recreation building on Sisson Road to review the results of recent meetings and to define short-term projects for this summer designed to accomplish their goals.

            Among projects identified are adding informational kiosks at strategic locations throughout the center. She cited the need to improve site access and circulation at Exchange Park, adding brick walkways, removing metal bars between granite posts, lowering hedges surrounding the flag pole, painting the kiosk there and posting an information sign. 

            Hude said the group will partner with the trails committee to construct a kiosk in Brooks Park similar to the one in Exchange Park. They will also distribute information to community boards throughout Harwich.

            She also said they will work on a Harwich Center branding program with residents, businesses and the garden club to create a consistent theme of colors and floral arrangements to identify the historic district and Main Street.

            The assistant town planner also said they will partner with the chamber of commerce to produce a brochure with a map of Harwich Center amenities, including businesses, recreation facilities and planned concerts in the park. Directional parking signs will also be relocated to provide better access to public lots.

            Businesses and organizations operating in Harwich Center will also be encouraged to include “located in Historic Harwich Center” in their advertising, promotional and printed materials and on their websites, Hude said. 

2/27/08