Harwich schedules Route 28 water‑main project outreach; town water department wins MassDEP compliance award

Jason Trapo, Harwich water and wastewater superintendent, briefed the board on a major Route 28 water‑main project and on an award to the water department.

Trapo said the Route 28 water‑main (from South Street to the Herring River Bridge) will be put out to bid this month with work expected to start in mid‑September. He said the town will host a public outreach meeting on June 10 in the Griffin Room to present construction sequencing and schedules and to gather public input. Trapo told the board the work will include curb‑to‑curb paving from South Street to the Herring River Bridge and that crews will coordinate with other contractors—he described sequencing considerations such as placing the water main before the (shallower) dry sewer line.

Trapo also announced that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection awarded Harwich’s water department the 2025 Medium/Large Community Compliance Award, recognizing perfect compliance with drinking‑water regulations and “exceptional performance” in providing safe, reliable water to the community. Trapo credited the department’s staff for their “remarkable dedication, teamwork and commitment to excellence.”

Board members asked about coordination with the dry sewer contractor, anticipated traffic impacts, and paving timing; Trapo said the contractor CC Construction has the dry sewer contract and the town is awaiting its schedule, and that paving was approved through late June to avoid leaving roadwork over the peak summer season.