Town Government
Town Departments
Finding the Right Department
Most of what residents need from the town runs through a department, not an elected official: paying a bill, pulling a permit, reporting a problem, registering to vote. None of these department heads appears on a ballot, and the charter is specific about how each one got the job. Section 5.1.4(a) gives the Town Manager the appointment, and requires the approval of the Select Board for every department head. So two things had to happen in public before any name below took the post.
The directory below covers the departments residents contact most, with the head the town names on its own staff directory. For the full list, hours, and staff, visit the town’s Departments page or its staff directory. The town offices are at 100 Route 6A, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Department Directory
| Town Clerk | Records, licenses, vital records, the town census, and elections. Town Clerk and Records Access Officer Taylor D. White. 508-888-0340. |
|---|---|
| Public Works | Streets, drainage, snow plowing, the transfer station and the town’s parks. Public Works Director Paul S. Tilton, P.E. 508-833-8002, at 500 Route 130. |
| Health | Inspections, septic and well permits, and public health complaints. Director of Public Health Heather L. Gallant. 508-888-4200. |
| Police | Public safety and non-emergency response. Chief of Police Jason Keene. 508-888-1212, at 255 Cotuit Road. |
| Fire | Fire suppression, prevention, ambulance and emergency response. Chief John Burke. 508-888-0525, at 251 Cotuit Road. |
| Recreation | Youth and adult programs, the town’s fields, and the beaches. Recreation Director Tricia MacDonald. 508-888-4361. |
| Council on Aging | The senior center at 70 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, outreach, transport and programs for older residents. Senior and Community Services Director Susan Marancik. 508-888-4737. |
| Building | Building permits, inspections, and zoning enforcement. Building Commissioner Ian Reid. 508-888-4200. |
| Community Development | Planning, zoning, conservation and the historic districts, staffed together at 100 Route 6A. Director of Community Development Leanne Drake. 508-833-8001. |
| Finance | Budget, financial planning, and the town’s financial reporting. Finance Director William Jennings. |
| Treasurer and Collector | Tax bills, payments, and town cash management. 508-833-8012. |
| Assessing | Property valuation, abatements, and exemptions. Director of Assessing Benjamin Styche. 508-888-0157. |
| Natural Resources | Shellfish, waterways, conservation land and the town’s herring runs. Director of Natural Resources Jenna Silva. 508-833-8054. |
| Sandwich Marina | The town marina on the Cape Cod Canal at 12 Freezer Road, run as its own enterprise fund. Harbormaster Nicholas Giordano. 508-833-0808. |
| Public Library | Books, programs, study space and public computers at 142 Main Street. Director Diane Costagliola. 508-888-0625. |
Emergencies are 911. For anything that is not an emergency, the Police Department is 508-888-1212 and the Fire Department is 508-888-0525.
Town departments carry out state and local law. See how Massachusetts government connects to your town.