Three Candidates For Harwich Select Board State Their Case

May 14, 2025

by Contributed

At the May 20 annual town election, voters will choose between three candidates seeking two seats on the select board. The polls open at 7 a.m. at the community center.

Name: Anita Doucette

Age: 72

Occupation: Retired Harwich Town Clerk (elected)

Years as a Harwich Resident: 59

Education: Extensive course work resulting in certification as a master municipal town clerk; graduate of Harwich High School

What would your goals be as a member of the select board?

To utilize the leadership skills and deep knowledge of town government gained during my 50-plus years of municipal and volunteer experience towards making informed and unbiased decisions for Harwich. Immediate priorities would be selecting a new town administrator who understands that he or she works for the entire town and not just members of the select board. Also, that staff recruitment and volunteer retention are essential in providing an environment that respects our staff and our citizens.

Provide your background experience in local government.

I began my service in the town clerk’s office as a registrar of voters and then as assistant town clerk. I was first elected town clerk in 1992 and retired in 2022 after 30 years in that position. Prior service includes serving on the recreation and beach commission and as long-time member and president of the Harwich Junior Women’s Club. Currently serving as a member of the bylaw/charter review committee and the president of the Harwich Historical Society.

What attributes would you want to see in the next town administrator?

Our new town administrator must be an excellent communicator and commit to full transparency by providing the select board, volunteer boards and citizens with timely and accurate information as the town works its way through the many serious financial challenges ahead. In addition, he or she must be able to demonstrate an ability to create a more supportive environment for town employees in order to recruit and retain stable staffing.

Do you support a charter commission review of town government?

Yes. The charter was first adopted in 1987 and has had numerous piecemeal revisions over the years, as well as a comprehensive revision in 2006. As a 20-year member of the bylaw/charter review committee, which is merely advisory to the select board, I believe it is time for an independent top-to-bottom review of the document. This could even include consideration of possible changes at the administrative/executive level, something that under Massachusetts General Laws can only be accomplished by an elected charter commission.

Name: Mark Kelleher

Age: 73

Occupation: Retired. Educator, Plymouth Public Schools. Project manager for O’Connell Management, Boston. Managed various projects including Bayside Expo, Trade Center and Marina Bay.

Years as Harwich resident: 15 years in Harwich, 28 years on Cape. Children attended Harwich Middle and High School.

Education: B.S. UMass Amherst, M.A. Bridgewater University

What would your goals be as a member of the select board?

Better governance: reduced turnover of town staff by ensuring a supportive and stable work environment; finance director in place and committed to town; town’s debt schedules and financial commitments forecasted out 10 years or more; improved communications to residents through a town newsletter.

Supporting our schools: maintain instructional quality and excellence for our students; renegotiating the school assessment formula for capital and instructional costs for long term stability for the schools.

Affordable Housing: advocating for smaller, thoughtfully designed cluster housing to meet community needs without compromising town character; encouragement of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and prioritizing entry level homeownership.

Wastewater: clear debt schedules through completion of comprehensive wastewater management plan; take advantage of all county, state and federal grants to defray costs.

Provide your background experience in local government.

Harwich Housing Authority (three years); Harwich finance committee (four years); Harwich capital outlay committee..

What attributes would you want to see in the next town administrator?

Open, responsive communication, good listening skills, respectful of staff and the public. Management skills for a productive and stable workforce. Forward-thinking and able to bring ideas and proposals to the select board for its consideration.

Do you support a charter commission review of town government?

Yes. I do not think past town meeting votes were faithfully followed, thus the need for a charter commission. Also, the commission may serve as a proving ground for future town leaders.

Name: Katie McManus

Age: 36

Occupation: Business Owner

Years as Harwich resident: Cumulatively 24 years

Education: UMASS Dartmouth, philosophy and French

What would your goals be as a member of the select board?

As a member of the select board, my top goals are to ensure that Harwich remains a thriving, inclusive and sustainable community for years to come.

My number one priority is housing. We need to expand our affordable and workforce housing so that teachers, first responders, healthcare professionals and both year-round and seasonal workers can afford to live here. We need practical zoning solutions, partnerships and long-term planning to make that possible.

I also want to hire a grant writer to help Harwich access more state and federal funding, particularly for environmental resilience projects. I’ll work to support small business owners by streamlining processes at town hall, partnering to create seasonal workforce housing and ensuring Harwich is a place where small businesses can succeed.

Provide your background experience in local government.

While I haven’t worked in local government before, I believe that brings a valuable and much-needed fresh perspective to the select board. As a business strategist and leadership coach, I’ve helped hundreds of other business owners make more money, grow their teams, and be more successful. I understand what it takes to motivate a team and to break down big projects into step by step action plans so we can stay on target with our goals.

I’m not here to maintain a status quo that no longer serves people. I’m here to contribute new ideas, ask challenging questions, and work collaboratively with residents and fellow board members to build a stronger, more inclusive Harwich.

What attributes would you want to see in the next town administrator?

This role is critical to the success of the town. I’d like to see someone who brings clear communication, collaborative leadership, and a strong commitment to building a healthy culture. We need someone who can streamline day-to-day operations and establish a respectful and communicative tone both internally at town hall and with the public. We need someone who knows how to empower their team, delegates effectively and can create systems that support work getting done. Harwich deserves a town administrator who listens well, communicates proactively, and builds strong relationships with staff, the select board and the broader community. It’s also essential that our next administrator values staff retention and professional development. We need someone who can help create a stable and supportive work environment that attracts and retains great people, so we can serve residents.

Do you support a charter commission review of town government?

I absolutely support a charter commission review, mainly because I can't stand ambiguity and wasting time. The current charter leaves too much up to interpretation, which creates conflict, which then has to be sorted out by our town leadership. If we were to review and clean up our town charter, then we'd have a clear rule book that everyone would feel confident they understood and could refer to for guidance.