Harwich Bikeways Committee confirms Alan Ferry as acting chair and appoints Richard Siegel vice chair

The Harwich Bikeways Committee met May 19 and confirmed a leadership change after a recent vacancy. Alan Ferry said he will serve as acting chair for the time being, and the committee moved to formalize that arrangement. “I will remain acting chair and keep things moving along,” Ferry said.

During the meeting a motion to designate Richard Siegel as vice chair was made and seconded; members voted unanimously to approve the appointment, though the transcript does not record a roll-call tally. The committee also agreed to revisit permanent leadership later in the summer.

Committee business included membership recruitment: Ferry said the group has been publicizing vacancies on Facebook and has at least one potential applicant who will be invited to attend meetings and, if approved by the select board, could fill a vacancy. Members suggested additional outreach to local Newcomers Club chapters and neighboring towns to broaden the applicant pool.

The group reviewed the committee charge and membership rules on the agenda. Members noted the existing charge (dating to the 1990s) specifies seven appointees — six citizens and the chief of police — and agreed to place a formal review of the charge on the next meeting agenda and to invite Chief Kevin to attend for discussion.

Fred Rice confirmed he has been recording minutes and accepted an acting recording‑secretary role; the committee will confirm where approved minutes should be submitted for publication. The committee tentatively scheduled its next meeting for mid‑June and adjourned.

What happens next: The committee will seek to fill vacancies before the next meeting, the chair said the vice chair can preside if the chair is unavailable, and the membership/charge review will be an agenda item at the next meeting.