SOUTHWICK – Several town committees are seeking volunteers to serve right now.
The Board of Selectmen is looking for interested parties to serve on the Agricultural Committee, Planning Board, Cultural Council, Conservation Commission, and Historical Society.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said these volunteers play a pivotal role in the community.
“It’s so important, and we want to give everybody the opportunity to be involved in local government,” Stinehart said.
The Agricultural Committee encourages the pursuit of agriculture, promotes agriculture-based economic opportunities, and protects farmlands within the Town of Southwick by allowing agricultural uses and related activities to function with minimal conflict with abutters and Town agencies.
“Southwick has recognized its roots as an agricultural community, and it’s not only our past, but something we want to preserve in the present and for our future,” Stinehart said.
This Committee will also be responsible for acquiring as to any interest in land, or as imposing any land use regulation, which is properly the subject of state statute, regulation, or local zoning law.
In order to serve on the Historical Commission, a resident must be a registered voter.
The Board of Selectmen and Planning Board are looking for an interested residents to serve as an Associate Member on the Planning Board, this individual sits in on issuances of special permits. This position will be for a one (1) year term. The resident must be a registered voter.
“The alternate position is important because of those times when the Planning Boars doesn’t have sufficient members to vote on a special permit,” said Stinehart. “It’s important when you’re trying to process approvals so people can go forward with their project, and those projects sometimes have an economic impact on the town.”
Letters of interest and resumes are due Oct. 8 at noon at the Selectmen’s Office.
