Jobs & Housing Concerns Highlight 1st Chatham 365 Task Force Hearing

CHATHAM – A new task force in Chatham held the first of two public forums on Saturday to gather input from the public on how to build a more diverse and sustainable community.

Nearly 100 people attended the first Chatham 365 Task Force forum and the lack of jobs and affordable housing were identified as the biggest challenges to living year-round in the community, according to Chatham Selectman and task force co-chair Shareen Davis.

“It was clear that our zoning bylaws and zoning have probably been a bit restrictive to maybe the opportunity for smaller houses and smaller lot sizes,” Davis said.

The task force and a forum facilitator asked participants:

  • How did we get to the place where it is so hard to live here year-round?
  • What are the challenges to living in Chatham year-round?
  • What would move Chatham to become a thriving, vibrant community?

“There was quite a bit of discussion around jobs and housing and their relationship with each other,” Davis said.

Davis said she walked away energized by the forum and the input gathered.

“We are going to have a lot to absorb,” she said.

Davis said many people who attended had grown up in Chatham but now live in Harwich.

“They felt they had a better opportunity to live in Harwich,” she said. “These are people who would have really liked to stay in Chatham if they had the opportunity of housing.”

A second forum is Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Chatham Community Center.

Input gathered will be used to develop short- and long-term solutions.

Davis said there were a lot of people who submitted written comments during the first forum and many others who have emailed comments to the town.

“That will start the process of looking at some of the things we can bring to the Board of Selectmen,” Davis said.

Input will also be used to direct town committees on developing solutions or to take to town meeting for changes to zoning bylaws or childcare vouchers.

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