SOUTHWICK – The Town of Southwick is currently seeking residents to fill two open positions on town boards created because the current commissioners are both moving out of town.
The Board of Selectmen is looking for an interested resident to serve as a Member of the Community Preservation Committee to fill a vacancy through June 30, 2015. The Community Preservation Committee studies the needs, possibilities and resources of the town regarding Community preservation and consults with existing municipal boards. The Committee also makes recommendations at the Town Meeting for the use of monies in the Community Preservation Fund for acquisitions, creation and preservation of open space, historical projects and public housing. The resident must be a registered voter. A letter of interest must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2013 to the Board of Selectmen’s Office, Town Hall, 454 College Highway
The board is also seeking a volunteer to serve on the Conservation Commission to fill a vacancy. Duties include attendance at meetings and administering the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. The individual will be eligible for reappointment on June 30, 2015. A letter of interest and Resume must be submitted to the Board of Selectmen by March 1, 2013 close of business.
Selectmen Administrative Assistant Sondra Pendleton said once letters are received, they are forwarded to the commission.
“They will make their recommendation, which is sent to the board for appointment,” said Pendleton.
“If there are a number of applicants, the board generally asks the commission to narrow them down and they would make a determination to do interviews,” she added.
The Conservation Office personnel consist of part-time Coordinator Dennis Clark, who holds an annually appointed position by the Board of Selectmen.
The Commission is comprised of seven members who are appointed by the Board of Selectmen for a three-year term to oversee the requirements of the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, and other activities that potentially impact the environment.
The Southwick Conservation Commission’s mission is to serve as the conservation conscience of the town, providing leadership for natural resources planning. The Commission works to protect, and where possible enhance plant and wildlife habitat to maintain Southwick’s natural resources.
The Commission, governed by Open Meeting law meets on the first and third Monday of each month in the second floor Land Use Meeting Room of the Town Hall. The Commission, together with the Mass Department of Environmental Protection, reviews applications for work to be undertaken in or near a wetland. The Commission is entrusted with the application of the Wetland Protection Act, the Rivers Protection Act, CMR Wetlands Regulations, Storm Water Management Policy and Southwick Local Wetlands Bylaws.
