STUART F.X. SMITH

CANDIDATE FOR CHATHAM SELECT BOARD

Stuart was born in Concord and raised in Westford, California, and Chatham. Stuart became a summer resident in 1962, attended middle school in Chatham, and became a full-time resident of Chatham in 1983 after graduating from high school in Charles County, Maryland.

After moving to Chatham full-time, Stuart was hired by Chatham Fish and Lobster Company, Inc. while attending Cape Cod Community College. Stuart also graduated from the Barnstable County Fire Academy, and the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council, Harbormaster Academy. He began his municipal career in 1985 as equipment operator for the Town’s Highway Department. In 1986, Stuart was appointed as a Call-Firefighter, and in 1988 he was appointed by the Chatham Select Board to oversee the town’s municipal operations at the Chatham Fish Pier as Wharfinger/Assistant Harbormaster. In 1999 Stuart was again promoted, this time to the position of Harbormaster for the Town of Chatham by then Town Manager Thomas Groux. This appointment was reaffirmed by Interim Town Manager Donald Poyant and voted unanimously by the Select Board. Stuart was then reaffirmed as Harbormaster by Town Manager William Hinchey in 2010.

During Stuart’s extensive municipal experience, he was elected to Chatham’s only (and first) Charter Commission which established the current Town Manager form of government, delineating the town government structure of responsibilities to each branch of local government, legal framework, budget processes, appointing authorities, and reaffirming the Open Town Meeting form of government.

During Stuart’s 25 years as Chatham’s Harbormaster he oversaw all aspects of harbor management duties including: Supervision of three (3) full-time employees, 12-15 seasonal employees, was responsible for the stationing and permitting of all vessels in Chatham waters, oversight and management of the Municipal Fish Pier, Mitchell River Drawbridge, oversight and management of all municipal town-owned docks, piers, wharves, boat ramps, and unloading facilities. He was responsible for the enforcement of all waterways bylaws, regulations, and Massachusetts Boating Law, and was responsible for ensuring the placement and maintenance of all 200 town-owned aids to navigation and management of 2,500 moorings. In conjunction with the Natural Resource Department, he assisted with the design, permitting, and construction of waterfront municipal projects and dredging. He also has extensive first-hand knowledge of municipal budgeting and operations.

During Stuart’s tenure and implementation of the Harbormaster’s responsibilities he responded and oversaw hundreds of rescues and responses to swimmers and mariners in distress in and around Chatham’s waters and neighboring communities. He received many notable awards including his response to the Steamship ferry Iyanough, which struck and grounded on the Hyannis breakwater. Stuart was also presented with the Meritorious Public Service Award by Rear Admiral G.N. Naccara, USCG, Commander, First Coast Guard District, Boston for the rescues of six commercial fishermen from the fishing vessels “Barney B”, “Black Mariah”, and “Risky Business”. In 2002 Stuart was awarded the “Chatham Citizen of the Year” by the Chatham Chamber of Commerce.

Chatham residents are fortunate to reside in such a beautiful seaside community. We are surrounded by 66 miles of pristine coastline which he has had an intimate role in protecting over his municipal career. If elected, Stuart is committed to continuing that as a member of the Select Board. He is committed to the various front and center issues facing Chatham which include the protection of our drinking water, providing the needed resources for our senior services, ensuring our continued commitment to the education of our children, responsibly addressing our affordable housing challenges, and addressing concerns surrounding our municipal airport. Stuart has a demonstrated history of experience and understanding of municipal government, and respects the will of the voters.

Stuart is not affiliated with any political party. He is a non-partisan candidate for Select Board; as such he addresses issues with an open mind and a commitment to fairness and respectful conversation.

Cape Cod Chronicle Article: Former Harbormaster Stu Smith Joins Select Board Fray