SWAMPSCOTT — The Town is seeking volunteers for its various boards and committees, offering people a chance to take a more active role in the community.
Executive Assistant to the Town Administrator and Select Board Dianne Marchese explained how residents can get involved.
“We have more than 40 boards and commissions, so we’re always looking for people who are willing to serve on any of them,” Marchese said. “Once I get applications in, I then filter them through the Select Board liaison for the particular committee that has a vacancy, and the Chairperson decides who might be the best fit for that board.”
Marchese explained that after an applicant has been vetted, they are appointed by the Select Board before being sworn in for their term. She said the terms run from one to five years, though typically the average length is three years.
For those who are not immediately chosen to serve on a specific board, Marchese said she keeps their applications and resumes on file for three years in case of another vacancy. It helps her keep tabs on which residents showed an interest in volunteering, and once a spot opens up, she can then email them to start the process.
“People can look and see where their best interests lie. It could be the Earth Removal Advisory Committee, the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee, or the Zoning Board of Appeals… We have a lot of boards and committees, and are always looking for volunteers,” she said. “You sign up and go to all the meetings you can. “
She continued that a lot of meetings for the boards and committees are hybrid, and that if a volunteer is unable to attend in-person, they can log onto Microsoft Teams and participate virtually.
“For those who may have interesting thoughts on how things should be run, it’s a good way to get involved,” she said. “I just think it’s important for people to get involved in the community.”
Residents can apply to volunteer online here: https://swampscottmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php.
