With dozens of appointments to make in June, the Select Board is looking for volunteers to fill open seats on Harvard’s many boards, committees, and commissions.
Currently, there are 17 appointable vacancies on 10 boards, committees, or commissions and 68 terms that will expire June 30. Town governance depends on the many residents who already serve, but more are needed. Some current members will apply for reappointment but, according to Select Board Chair Lucy Wallace, it is difficult to find people to fill every position.
If you are interested in volunteering for a seat at the table, the town website is a good place to start. It lists every board and its current members; descriptions of their duties; when and where they meet, their agendas and minutes; who is appointed and who is elected; which have vacancies now and term expirations this June; and links to related facets of life in Harvard. There’s an online volunteer application for interested citizens to complete that will be kept on file for three years.
The Harvard League of Women Voters has an informative website, lwvharvard.org/seeking-appointed-positions, with information about how to apply for those positions that are appointed by the Select Board. Out of 43 boards, committees, and commissions, only five are elected.
Attending a meeting as an observer may be the most insightful way to learn how your town government works and to spark your interest in volunteering to serve on a particular committee. The state’s open meeting law gives you the right to attend any posted meeting. Click on Calendars tab on the Town of Harvard’s website and then click on any underlined date on the calendar page that appears. Up will come a list of the meetings scheduled that day. The location and agenda are revealed by clicking on the particular meeting you wish to attend.
At a meeting you may be asked to sign in and offered a printed agenda. You are permitted to speak and address issues, after you have been acknowledged, typically during a time set aside for public comment. When speaking, state your name and address before you direct a question or comment to the chair. Some meetings have a paid town staff member in attendance. For example, Land Agent Liz Allard and Director of Community and Economic Development Chris Ryan are nonvoting members of the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board, respectively. The level of detail and prior knowledge exhibited during the discussion is usually impressive and informative.
What if two or more people want the same appointed position? Wallace emphasized that the “institutional history” and a willingness to mentor new members is an important factor in deciding whether to reappoint a current member, equally important is the Select Board’s desire to attract citizens who haven’t served. Wallace said that the addition of new members can be invigorating for a board, committee, or commission. Executive Assistant Julie Doucet noted that positions have staggered terms, and due to the number and variety of openings, a satisfying appointment can be found for most who apply.
Professional expertise, such as experience in reviewing bids or contracting, is needed and appreciated, but not required. The town of Harvard, like the rest of the world, is in a time of transition. The newly enacted 2018 charter (which is accessible online) represents a significant change in town governance by placing greater responsibility on town boards for meeting goals set by the Select Board, Master Plan, and other blueprints for the future. Concern for the impact a changing climate could have on Harvard’s water, forests, and farms is driving new initiatives by the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and other boards to prepare for coming changes. Many longtime residents whose history and experience are valued and essential serve on boards, commissions, and committees; at the same time, the voices and backgrounds of new members are needed to explore fresh ways to meet the town’s challenges.
For more information, contact Executive Assistant Julie Doucet at by email at jdoucet@harvard.ma or by phone at 978-456-4100.
