Randi Potash — Candidate for Chatham Select Board

Personal Background

Age: 66 Length of Residence in Chatham: 12 years (Originally from Medford, MA; raised children in Peabody, MA)

Employment

  • The Law Offices of Randi Potash (1997–present), Lynn, MA and currently Hyannis, MA

  • Prior: Personal Trainer and Registered Respiratory Therapist, Massachusetts General Hospital

Education

  • Juris Doctorate — Massachusetts School of Law (Law Review)

  • Master of Science, Health Services Administration — University of Massachusetts, Lowell

  • Bachelor of Arts, Journalism & Psychology — University of Massachusetts, Amherst

  • Accelerated Respiratory Care Program — Northwestern University

Civic Experience

  • Chatham Zoning Board of Appeals — Chair, Vice-Chair, and Special Chair for Affordable Housing Applications (5 years, presently serving)

  • Chatham Human Services Committee — Member and Vice-Chair (9 years)

  • Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates — Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Public Services Chair (7 years)

  • Board of Directors, Cape Mediation — Mediator since the 1990s in Essex County and since 2014 on Cape Cod

  • Chatham Bikeways Committee

  • Volunteer Lawyer, We Can

  • Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity

  • Volunteer, First Night Chatham

Key Issues

Strengths of Chatham

Chatham's strengths lie in its engaged citizenry, its walkable and charming downtown, and its tight-knit year-round community — residents who enjoy the town's many amenities and give back generously.

Challenges Facing Chatham

Chatham faces significant challenges due to its coastal vulnerability to storms, hurricanes, and erosion. Additional concerns include a shortage of attainable and affordable housing, and ongoing questions about adequate potable water — particularly during droughts and the summer season when the population quadruples.

My Top Three Priorities

1. Affordable & Attainable Housing I will support housing additions that provide ownership opportunities for nonprofit applicants with site plans that respect the character of our town, and vote accordingly when housing decisions come before the Board.

2. Climate & Environmental Resilience I will support bylaw changes that are proactive for the environment and advocate for a regional approach to addressing the threats and costs of climate change.

3. Water Conservation & Infrastructure I will support measures to educate residents about conservation, advocate for a bylaw requiring native plantings on all town properties, and explore the feasibility of adding a third water storage tank to address the gap when existing tanks go offline for maintenance.

I also support a review of the board and committee selection process and an update to the committee handbook, both of which are overdue.

Why I Am the Best Candidate

My education, professional background, and years of civic service demonstrate a deep commitment to this community. As a professional mediator, I am uniquely positioned to work collaboratively with colleagues, staff, and the public to solve problems and deliver results.

A track record of getting things done:

  • As Chair of the Zoning Board, I led seven months of hearings and negotiations that resulted in 48 units of affordable housing.

  • As Vice-Chair of the Human Services Committee, I helped create two full-time behavioral health counselors — one for adults and one for youth.

  • At the County Assembly, I worked with stakeholders to significantly improve the dredge program, keeping waterways open and replenishing beaches with sand.

I ask for your vote — and your accountability.

Thank you, Randi Potash