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TOWN OF DENNIS

ANNUAL TOWN CENSUS

Town Clerk Terri Bunce reports - the Town of Dennis’s Annual Town Census has been mailed out to over8,800 households. These started hitting the mail boxes on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

An accurate count of residents leads to better municipal, state, and federal services, as the current population count of the Town is the basis for determining eligibility and allocation of State and Federal funds, programs, and grants. Returning the Annual Town Census helps to keep our records up-to-date, and thus ensures more informed decision making and effective governance.

Pursuant to MGL, Chapter 51, section 4 & 37, residents have 10 days to return their Annual Town Census forms. Should a Voter fail to respond to the Census, they will then be sent a second notice and can be placed on the “Inactive Voter List”. If the Voter does not vote in the next two (2) biennial state elections following such notice, a voter may be removed from the voting list.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Town Clerk’s Office atclerksoffice@town.dennis.ma.us or (508) 760-6112. 
House Graphic

STATE BUILDING CODE NOW REQUIRES ANNUAL INSPECTIONS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTIES 


As of October 11, 2024, Massachusetts has adopted the 10th edition of the State Building Code. This update mandates annual inspections for short-term rental properties, as defined in 780 CMR Chapter 2, and Residential Use Groups as determined under Section 310 of the BBRS 10th edition 780 CMR building code. 

The Town of Dennis has improved its inspection scheduling process to better accommodate these new requirements and integrate them with existing building permit inspections. Residents can request morning or afternoon inspections through the application portal, and inspectors will try to meet specific time requests when possible. The Town is committed to conducting all inspections as efficiently as possible. 
Tax Work off
Affordable Housing

TOWN OF DENNIS 

CHILDCARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM

Funding was approved at the Dennis May 2, 2023 Annual Town Meeting to pay the costs of funding and administering a childcare subsidy program for birth through 5‐year‐old children of Dennis residents to attend a state‐licensed childcare program.

The Town of Dennis Childcare Subsidy Program was funded to provide financial assistance for 50 local families with children who are under five years old as of August 31, 2024, for the program period September 1, 2024 -August 31, 2025.

A subsidy in the form of direct payment of $200 per month to State licensed childcare providers for up to 50 full time, year-round residents of Dennis (maximum of $2,400 per household) will be provided for one eligible child and meets a threshold of 81% to 150% Average Median Income parameter. Child must be enrolled a minimum of two days per week for eligibility.

Included below are a Childcare Subsidy Program Overview, an Application Form, and a Required Documents List. The Application Form (PDF)includes questions to obtain information for verification of eligibility.

Documents can be found here.

Applications and required documents must be completed fully and returned to:

  • Dennis Town Hall
  • Attention: Childcare Voucher Program
  • 685 Route 134
  • South Dennis, MA 02660

Or may be scanned and emailed to DennisCSP@town.dennis.ma.us with the subject line “CSP.”
oyster

Shellfish Area Statuses for

Recreational Oyster and Quahog

2025 Licenses On Sale

Following water quality re-testing in Bass River by DMF on December 2, 2024, the area south of the Route 28 bridge is now open to shell fishing. 

Quahogs may be harvested on Saturdays and Mondays, and oysters may be harvested on Sunday. Weekly harvest limit for quahogs is (1) 10-quart basket; oysters is 48 pieces. The week begins on Sundays. A valid recreational shellfish license is required. 

 2025 licenses are on sale. Licenses can be purchased by cash or check at the Natural Resources Department in Dennis Town Hall located at 685 Route 134 South Dennis, MA 02660. Dennis residents who have not had a shellfish license in the year prior must bring proof of residency. All shellfish licenses are valid from  January 1 - December 31.

Below is the fee schedule for recreational shellfish licenses beginning in 2025:

Residents $40
Seniors $12
Non-residents $100

 If you have any questions regarding the closure, please reach out to the Shellfish Constable, Jordan Halloran, by phone at 508-760-6123 ext. 107 or by email at jhalloran@town.dennis.ma.us. 
Open Fire Permit Available
DPW Sign

Transfer Station License Plate Reading System

The Town of Dennis Department of Public Works is pleased to announce that the Town Hall 24/7 integrated license plate reading system is now in full operation at the transfer station.

After multiple years of fine tuning and testing, the system is ready to go live, bringing the inception of sticker less access to the transfer station for customers who have paid the annual usage fee and registered their vehicle in the new system.

This is an exciting step in the modernization of delivery of services to our transfer station users.  Customers will no longer need to affix a sticker to their vehicle to utilize the transfer station. As vehicles enter the facility the system will automatically read the license plate via a camera, and confirm in the Town's database they are an active, authorized user.  This happens almost instantaneously and will require no interaction with our staff for entry. Customers whose license plates are not properly registered in the system, or need to pay a fee, will be directed by staff to the scale house.

This process will enhance the customer's experience by streamlining the entry process, as staff will no longer have to verify vehicles are authorized to use the facility by checking the validity of stickers.  This will allow the user unimpeded entry while allowing our staff to focus on the delivery of other customer service duties.  

Our Public Works staff proudly serves the residents and guests of our community, and while this system will allow contactless service, we are always here to serve.  If you require any assistance or have any questions please do not hesitate to ask an attendant or the scale house operator.

 Vehicle registration to access the transfer station for the 2025-26 season may be purchased online only beginning February 18, 2025. The Town Hall sticker office will be open March 31, 2025, from 10am-2pm for in person registration. To register online go to dennisstickers.townhall247.com/ 

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS IN NEED OF HEATING ASSISTANCE

Dennis Fuel Assistance Program

If you have been approved for fuel assistance and live in the Town of Dennis, you may qualify for extra help from the Town of Dennis.

To qualify you need:

  1.  Approval from Fuel Assistance (South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.
  2. There is an income guideline you can confirm through your application.
  3. A recent document showing proof of residence in the Town of Dennis (an electric bill, or lease).
  4. Call Julie Benoit at 508-694-2004 for an appointment.
  5. This program is open to all ages.

If you have not applied for Fuel Assistance, and feel you need fuel assistance, please call Julie Benoit at 508-694-2004 to schedule an appointment.

Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program 

  • Helps eligible households pay for a portion of winter heating bills

Heating System Repair and Replacement Program

  • The Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Assistance Program (HEARTWAP) provides heating system repair and replacement services to low-income households.

Weatherization Assistance Program

  • Helps with insulation and other measures to help use fuel efficiently.

Mass Save's Income Eligible Programs 

  • Provides assistance through programs to make homes more energy efficient. Residents may qualify for "No-Cost Upgrades", including replacement of a heating system, as well as installing additional insulation, water-saving devices, and more.
Beach with Snow

BE PREPARED FOR

WINTER WEATHER!

We’re in for more cold weather. Make sure you, your home and pets are prepared and safe with cold temperatures.  

Some helpful reminders:

  • Limit your time outside
  • Keep pets indoors
  • When using alternate heating sources, make sure your Carbon Monoxide detectors are working properly
  • Check on neighbors who are elderly or who need extra assistance
  • Keep emergency kits and extra warm clothing items in your car

For More Winter Weather Preparedness Tips Visit

Winter Weather | Ready.gov
Committee Openings
Sticker Sales
Town of Dennis Select Board

Select Board Meeting Dates

The Dennis Select Board will meet on March 4, 2025 for regularly scheduled business. Upcoming meeting dates of the Select Board can be found on the Town of Dennis website here.

All are welcome to attend and participate in our open and public meetings. The agenda for each meeting is posted 48 business hours prior to the scheduled meeting time and can be accessed through the Select Board’s webpage or the Town calendar webpage.   

Attend in-person at the Town Hall, Stone Meeting Room. Or for alternative public access join the meeting online via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8780036813 or participate by phone by dialing 1-646-558-8656 and entering Conference ID878 003 6813 #.

The Town of Dennis Select Board members are eager to hear from residents – You can contact all five members of the Select Board by emailing the following addresses:

  • Christopher Lambton, Chair – clambton@town.dennis.ma.us 
  • Paul McCormick, Vice Chair – pmccormick@town.dennis.ma.us 
  • John Terrio, Clerk – jterrio@town.dennis.ma.us
  • James Plath, Licensing Chair – jplath@town.dennis.ma.us 
  • Carlyn Carey, Member – ccarey@town.dennis.ma.us
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Town of Dennis, MA
685 Route 134 S. Dennis, MA 02660
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