Townspeople are needed to serve on various town boards and commissions.
In Norfolk, as with many small towns, a handful of elected and appointed officials charged with planning and administering town business are supplemented by a dedicated group of residents who donate their time to the important work required. Many times, the same persons serve on multiple municipal bodies, and it is often difficult to find replacements when they resign.
For example, two members, Chairman Tom Fahsbender and alternate Lisa Read, recently resigned from the Planning & Zoning Commission, leaving two vacancies.
At its Wednesday meeting, the selectmen appointed alternate Steve Landes to full membership. One alternate position was already vacant, so with the loss of Read and the change for Landes, there are now three P&Z alternate vacancies.
Alternates attend meetings, can listen and comment on issues, but, unlike full members, do not vote unless a regular member is absent and the chair appoints them to temporarily fill that seat.
Normally, boards and commissions recruit individuals to fill vacancies and then ask the Board of Selectmen to appoint them. If they do not find a volunteer within a certain amount of time (officially 30 days) the task falls to the selectmen.
First Selectman Matt Riiska recently appealed for Norfolk residents to serve on the many other boards and commissions that have vacancies, including:
Three alternates for the Board of Assessment Appeals
A full member for the Northwest Mental Health Catchment Area Council
A full member for the Comcast Advisory Board
Two full members and one alternate for the Economic Development Commission
A Republican Registrar of Voters
A full member for the Farmers Market Committee
Three full members for the Energy Advisory Committee
One full member for the Friends of the Meadow Committee
One alternate for the Historic District Commission
One Municipal Agent for Children
One representative for the Northwest Transit District
One full member for the Public Access Initiative (Internet)
Two alternates for the Recreation Committee
One full member and one alternate for the Town Website Committee
Anyone interested in serving in any of these posts should contact the selectmen’s office at 860-542-5829.