HARWICH – The design plans for the East Harwich sewer project are close to completion and selectmen want to make sure there is a strong line of communication between town officials and the public.
The project will provide sewer hookups to 650 homes.
Selectman Larry Ballantine recommended the town hire a part-time communication coordinator to work with the wastewater support committee to create a plan to inform residents and relay concerns they may have to town officials.
“We’re listening to the neighborhoods. We are providing information,” Ballantine said. “We are having someone coordinate that between our engineers, between town staff and between the various concerns of the neighborhoods so we are sure that this goes ahead in a positive way and an informed way.”
Ballantine said the town is lacking a unified and coordinated approach of how to work and communicate with the community.
“As this goes forward I want people to feel good about it,” he said. “Not only because it is an important project, but because it is phase two of six and we have a lot of other work to do.”
The proposal received support from other Selectmen, including Don Howell.
“The committee would be well-served to have a point person who is being paid to do just that – listen to the concerns and bring them back and say ‘you guys haven’t thought about this,’” Howell said.
“And also send out what we know to be true in a way that is absorbable by people so that they are not intimidated by this whole thing. It couldn’t be a better idea.”
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