Historic Harwich

The Illusive Pipeline

The Illusive Pipeline

Lately, I have been focusing on "pipeline" issues. No, not the Alaska Pipeline; rather, that illusive alignment of government bodies and appointed committees that need to approve or disapprove a measure of importance to the citizenry. Hmmm, what could be clearer than that? I'm referring to a non-existent (in Harwich for public consumption) flow chart that pictorially displays this alignment for particular issues, e.g., approval of a land use change, approval for a liquor license, approval for an issue involving public health, and so on. In other words who do you see first, what is the process, and what happens later? In short, beginning, middle, and end.

I am picture person, definitely left brain. I realize that all of the above is committed to writing and can be picked up at the Engineer's office at Town Hall. But, wouldn't it be great to have a flow chart that depicts the process.

            A flow chart is an assembly of geometric figures connected with lines with arrows useful for analysis of processes, identifying duplications of effort, and sorting  divisions of labor. I suspect that there may be some cost savings in there somewhere, but most importantly it might ratchet down some of the tension that builds when committees conflict with each other which seems to be happening rather frequently.

I am particularly interested in the process for historic preservation, so I'll concentrate on that..

If you are not familiar with a flowchart, for a brief look at flowcharting, go to: http://www.rff.com/structured_flowchart.htm .

            As a private citizen, if I try to envision a flow chart for the approval of renovations to the O.R.B. (old rec. bldg. on Sisson Road) with a goal of having the building reach the Registry of Historic Buildings, I am immediately confronted with these questions before I enter Town Hall. In italics, I indicate where I think I go.

1. Who do I see first, i.e. is there some office that will listen to my issue and tell me I am eligible, ineligible, or can tell me if a project is already in the mill? Harwich Historical Commission, Town Planner, or Town Administrator, but don't know who first. May waste time.
2. Who starts the process, i.e. is there a regulatory committee that needs to consider my issue? Harwich Historical Commission and Planning Board, but don't know which order, if any.
3. Are there any special applications or forms that I have to fill out or a letter of request for consideration? If so, can I get all of the forms I need at once, or is one form sufficient to initiate the next steps? Don't know.
4. Do I have to follow through every step, or do I rely on the office I brought it to to carry it forward? If the latter, how do I monitor progress? Don't know, but I assume it is taken out of my hands.
5. Are there more committees or town offices on the way that can stop or criticize the process at any time? Don't know for sure; Finance Committee comes to mind; could be many who need to know and many who want to know.
6. Who is the final arbiter, i.e. Board of Selectmen or Town Meeting? Board of Selectmen as landlord of the building authorized by annual town meeting.
7. Where can I get information about funding, or is that taken care of? Can only guess, but CPA and Town budget come to mind. Grant funds applications come from the town, but who would research and write the grant?
8. Who arranges for a preservationist to oversee renovations? I assume Board of Selectmen or Harwich Historic Commission.
9. When renovations are completed, what triggers the process of applying to the Registry? See #8.

I see things happening with approvals of the foundation repair and removal of the vinyl siding, funded with CPA money that was approved by annual town meeting, but in the inner recesses of Town Hall, I have no idea what the full process was or still is. 

Brooks Academy Museum

      There is a contract out now, I've been told, to remove the remaining vinyl siding from the Brooks Academy Museum. I have written a letter to the Harwich Historical Commission regarding application for the National Register. After visiting the federal preservation site, it seems likely that the museum might be eligible. In that case, application should begin immediately after the repairs are done. Apparently, it is an 18-month process.

Back to Flow Charts

It isn't impossible to create a flowchart or several flowcharts to display the processes that go on in town government. While in the Naval Reserve, I created a flowchart for the Naval Air Station South Weymouth Postal Emergency Procedures that was adopted by the CO. What made it useful was the ease of identifying areas that needed coverage and ease in setting up a notification system. It took me two weeks working full-time on it, so it is not an easy task.

      I don't expect that this could be done by in-house staff because of the time involved, but if making management of the town more efficient is a priority, then this is a good way to do it, most likely through a grant or possibly by a doctoral student. What a thesis that will make.

ANNOUNCEMENTS - Lots to do, much to see.

The I-Bake-Da-Pie Club is getting good press. This is an effort to double the number of pies for sale at the Harwich Historical Society's Annual Harvest Pie Sale (from 100 to 200) on August 23, 2009. We are still looking for a few good men to step up to the oven and bake us a pie. We supply the apples donated by Shaw's Market, a Pyrex pie plate (sold with the pie), and Pillsbury pie crusts. The good man supplies the sugar, nutmeg, a little bit of cinnamon, and his "secret" ingredient. For the effort, all bakers of the 200 pies will receive the commemorative button (see my last blog) and a free raffle ticket. At least 20 winners of the raffle will receive a personal caricature done by a local artist. Not a bad deal for a worthy cause. Let's give the Brooks Museum a helping hand. For information contact John Prophet at 508-430-7850 or e-mail John at jprophet4@verizon.net .

The Harwich Historical Society has many programs planned for the rest of the summer and extending into October. Look for announcements in the newspapers or visit the web site at www.harwichhistoricalsociety.org .

Harwich Cultural Council is in need of funds to increase their grant pool. Each year, in October, the Cultural Council awards grants to individuals and groups offering programs in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. In the past three years, the Council has awarded over $20,000 to this end. Funds come from generous donors like yourselves, no amount too small. Write a check payable to Harwich Cultural Council and mail or drop at Harwich Town Hall, 732 Main Street, Harwich, MA 02645.

Brook Free Library has been and will be brim full of activities and programs from toddlers to the elderly. Drop in and get the event schedule. Find out how you can make a special donation to help with these efforts by contacting Ginny Hewitt at vhewitt@clamsnet.org or Suzanne Martell at smartell@clamsnet.org.

Historic Harwich Center Events In a nutshell:

Summer Arts and Crafts Fair - August 8-9

Arts Foundation Citizen Bank Summer Concert Series - Monday nights 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Brooks Park.

Harwich Town Band - Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. - Brooks Park.

THE HISTORIC HARWICH CENTER INITIATIVE (HHCI) next meeting is on August 26, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at the O.R.B. (old rec bldg on Sisson Road). All are invited to attend to share ideas and visions of the Historic Harwich Center as a tourist destination and/or to keep up with developments. Contact Betty Pino at bfpino@verizon.net to be included on the HHCI contact list.

Have a great weekend.