SOUTHWICK – The town is seeking candidates for several volunteer positions on boards, as well as paid municipal positions.
The Board of Selectmen is looking for interested residents to serve on the Agricultural Committee. This 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 own agencies. 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. The resident must be a registered voter.
Board Chairman Russell Fox said this is an important position.
“It helps resolve conflicts between urban areas and agricultural areas,” said Fox. “Such as loose animals, noise, the smell of cow manure, and spraying chemicals.”
Right to farm laws deny nuisance suits against farmers who use accepted and standard farming practices, even if these practices harm or bother adjacent property owners or the general public. Agricultural nuisances may include noise, odors, visual clutter and dangerous structures.
Fox said Massachusetts is a right to farm state by statute and there is a push to promote small family farms.
“Small family farms are what this country was built on,” said Fox. “I think that we’ll be seeing more five-acre or less farms.”
The Board of Selectmen and the Historical Commission are also looking for interested residents to serve on the Historical Commission, and Fox said Economic Development Commission Chairman Michael McMahon has told the board they need assistance to increase attendance.
“We’re going to be promoting economic development,” said Fox. “I was at a Chamber of Commerce event this week and recruited two people.”
Fox said there are many opportunities for economic development in Southwick, citing expansion of the town’s industrial park as an example.
“We’re hoping to get that committee more active,” he added.
The town is also seeking applicants for two municipal positions, including a 20-hour per week seasonal Park and Recreation groundskeeper and maintenance personnel. The Department of Public Works is seeking a transfer station and demolition site attendant, as well as a Public Works director.
