Our View: Annual Election Endorsements

When people go to the polls in Harwich May 20, they may find themselves spending a little more time weighing decisions before marking the ballot. The six ballot questions will slow the process, but making a decision on who should serve as the two new members of the select board will also take some time. We have struggled with that decision. Each of the three candidates, Anita Doucette, Mark Kelleher and Kathryn “Katie” McManus would serve the town well. 

Each of the candidates support a charter commission review of government operations. They each see the need for the new town administrator to be an excellent communicator who believes in transparency and will provide a supportive environment for town employees.

Doucette served the town for 50 years in varying capacities, including for 30 years as the elected town clerk. She has “deep knowledge”of town government gained over that period. She served on the bylaw/charter review committee for 20 years and served on the recreation and beach commission. Upon retirement as town clerk, she remained committed to the community, serving as president of the Harwich Historical Society.

Kelleher has been an active member of the community during his 15 years living in town. He served on the finance committee for four years, was a member of the housing authority and the capital outlay committee. On housing needs, Kelleher would advocate for smaller, thoughtfully designed cluster housing to meet community needs without compromising town character. He cites the need to renegotiate the school assessment formula for capital and instructional costs for long-term stability for the schools.

McManus said the number one priority facing the town is the need for affordable and workforce housing. She supports streamlining permitting to help small businesses. McManus said she hasn’t worked in local government before, but she believes that brings a valuable and much-needed fresh perspective to the select board. She has fresh and admirable goals and we endorse her youthful and energetic commitment to serving this community.

A second endorsement is much harder to make as both Doucette and Kelleher have made major commitments to the community. They know how town government functions, and either will serve thoughtfully and with integrity.

Brewster

Brewster also has three candidates seeking two seats on its select board in the May 20 annual election. Caroline McCarley, Harvey (Pete) Dahl and David Faherty have all campaigned hard and made considerable efforts to get their messages out to voters.

In this case, McCarley and Dahl have a clear upper hand, based specifically on their extensive municipal experience, both in Brewster and elsewhere. Faherty has waged a strong campaign, and while he has extensive business experience, town government is not a business, and we would urge him to seek more local government experience by joining a town committee or two. We urge voters to elect McCarley and Dahl.