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NORTHBRIDGE, Mass. – It takes an untold number of volunteer hours for a community to run efficiently. With vacancies on several boards, Northbridge could use some help.
Vacancies exist on many boards and committee, including the Conservation Commission, Council on Aging and the Historical Commission.
Although the paid town manager oversees the town’s everyday business, much of what he does is on the order of the elected Board of Selectmen. Selectmen, who receive a stipend of about $750 a year, make decisions based on information provided by other boards and committees.
In addition, members of one committee are often asked to represent that committee on another. For instance, Selectman James Marzec represents the board on the Ad Hoc Solar Energy Committee and the recently formed Town Fields Committee, and School Committee member Tim Doiron represents that committee on the Building, Planning and Construction Committee.
Some boards and committees meet occasionally; others regularly meet once or twice a month. Finance Committee members are called to meeting at least once a week as the town prepares for annual and special town meetings.
The chairmen of each committee have larger roles, one discussed last week at the Building, Planning and Construction Committee. It is overseeing repair projects at the library and Memorial Town Hall, in addition to controversial plans to build a new Department of Public Works.
Chairman Thomas Pilibosian was nominated to continue serving in that role, a position he said he would accept only if some of the workload was taken on by other committee members.
William Mello agreed to be liaison for the Town Hall project, Paul Bedigian agreed to serve as liaison for Department of Public Works, and Ron White will do the same for the library project, which is nearly completed. White will also consider representing the panel on the Green Committee but will attend a meeting before making a decision.
Residents interested in serving on town boards are asked to fill out a talent bank form available on the town’s website or in the selectmen’s office at Town Hall.
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