Town Council Invites Applications for Open Seats on Planning Board, ZBA, Finance Committee, and Charter Review Committee
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The Town Council is accepting applications to fill openings on the following Boards and Committees: Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), Finance Committee and Charter Review Committee. The opening on the Finance Committee is for a nonvoting resident representative. Links to applications for each of the positions are provided in the text below.
Planning Board
The Town Council is currently accepting applications from Amherst residents interested in serving on the Planning Board. There are three vacancies (three-year term to expire June 30, 2028). Terms would begin on July 1, 2025.
Applicants should have experience with aspects of planning, development, design, architecture, construction, zoning, and/or real estate. The Town Council is especially seeking individuals of diverse backgrounds, including those who have no prior municipal government experience.
For more information on the Planning Board read an information handout at: https://www.amherstma.gov/197/Planning-Board
If you are interested in volunteering to serve, please fill out a Community Activity Form (CAF).
Those who are currently serving on the Board and whose term is ending, and those who have submitted a CAF within the past two years expressing interest in serving, will be contacted to confirm their continued interest. If still interested, they will be asked to complete a new CAF.
If you have questions, please reach out to Pam Rooney, Chair of the Community Resources Committee of the Town Council, at rooneyp@amherstma.gov, or Jennifer Taub, Vice Chair, at taubj@amherstma.gov, or Community Participation Officers at getinvolved@amherstma.gov. Town Council appointment of Planning Board members is in accordance with Amherst Home Rule Charter Section 9.12.
Click here to apply to serve on the Planning Board
Zoning. Board of Appeals
The Town Council is currently accepting applications from Amherst residents interested in serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). There are two vacancies for Full Members (three-year term to expire June 30, 2028), and up to four vacancies for Associate Members (one-year term to expire June 30, 2026) on the ZBA. Terms would begin on July 1, 2025.
Applicants should have experience with aspects of planning, development, design, architecture, law, construction, zoning, and/or real estate. The Town Council is especially seeking individuals of diverse backgrounds, including those who have no prior municipal government experience.
For more information on the Zoning Board of Appeals read an information handout at: https://www.amherstma.gov/235/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals
If you are interested in volunteering to serve, please fill out a Community Activity Form (CAF).
Those who are currently serving on the Board and whose term is ending, and those who have submitted a CAF within the past two years expressing interest in serving, will be contacted to confirm their continued interest. If still interested, they will be asked to complete a new CAF.
If you have questions, please reach out to Pam Rooney, Chair of the Community Resources Committee (CRC) of the Town Council, at rooneyp@amherstma.gov , or Jennifer Taub, Vice Chair, at taubj@amherstma.gov, or Community Participation Officers at getinvolved@amherstma.gov.
Town Council appointment of Zoning Board of Appeal members is in accordance with Amherst Home Rule Charter Section 9.12.
Click here to apply for the ZBA
Finance Committee
The Town Council has vacancies for a non-voting resident members of the Finance Committee and is currently seeking applications.
The Finance Committee is a standing committee of the Town Council that advises the Council on all financial matters. It consists of five councilors as voting members and three non-voting residents. Selection of resident members is based on relevant experience, skills, and policy knowledge, with an emphasis on municipal and public finance.
More information on the Finance Committee can be found at: https://www.amherstma.gov/3451/Finance-Committee
If you are interested in volunteering to serve, please fill out a Community Activity Form (CAF).
Those who have submitted a CAF expressing interest in serving on the Finance Committee within the past two years will be contacted regarding their prior submission to ascertain their continued interest. If they are still interested, they will be asked to submit a new CAF.
If you have questions, please reach out to Ana Devlin Gauthier, Chair of the Town Council Committee on Governance, Organization, and Legislation (GOL), at devlingauthiera@amherstma.gov.
Town Council appointment of non-voting resident members of the Finance Committee is in accordance with Amherst Home Rule Charter Section 2.6(e).
Click here to apply to serve on the Finance Committee
Charter Review Committee
The Town Council has one vacancy for a member of the Charter Review Committee and is currently seeking applications.
The purpose of the Charter Review Committee is to review the Amherst Home Rule Charter in accordance with all applicable Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that define what features of the Charter may be changed consistent with the present form of government defined by the Charter adopted by the Town of Amherst on September 25, 2017.
The Committee shall:
- Develop an understanding of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Law and the existing Home Rule Charter that define the present form of government for the City known as the Town of Amherst as defined by Amherst Home Rule Charter, September 25, 2017.
- Raise public awareness of Charter Review process through various community outreach efforts (i.e., Town websites, request community organizations to include information in their newsletters, etc.)
- Develop and deploy a variety of feedback mechanisms (i.e., surveys, invitations to testify, public meetings, focus groups, etc.) throughout the review process
- Analyze feedback from the community prior to initial, preliminary, and final reports
- Hold a Public Forum on preliminary report
- Review, propose, and report on process, deliberations, drafts, and recommendations in three stages: initial, preliminary, and final (see Reports Section for contents and timing).
The Charter Review Committee is comprised of nine members, all of whom shall be voters not holding elective office when appointed. The membership shall reflect the diversity of the Town of Amherst population.
For more information on the Charter Review Committee: https://www.amherstma.gov/3799/2024-Charter-Review-Committee
If you are interested in volunteering to serve, please fill out a Community Activity Form (CAF).
Those who have submitted a CAF expressing interest in serving on the Charter Review Committee within the past two years will be contacted regarding their prior submission to ascertain their continued interest. If they are still interested, they will be asked to submit a new CAF.
If you have questions, please reach out to Ana Devlin Gauthier, Chair of the Town Council Committee on Governance, Organization, and Legislation (GOL), at devlingauthiera@amherstma.gov.