So Many Vacant Seats, so Few Town Volunteers

By Jennifer Amy Myers, The Sun, Lowell, Mass.

Jan. 28–BILLERICA — It is Wednesday night and the seventh seat behind the big table in room 210 on the second floor of Town Hall is empty. It has been empty during every Conservation Commission meeting since August.

That was when Kim Conway stepped down from the commission, citing time constraints. Conway won a seat on the School Committee last spring, and did not have time to commit to both positions.

“It seems to be more and more difficult to find volunteers for some of these boards and commissions,” said Selectman James O’Donnell.

He’s not kidding.

The town is currently searching for volunteers to fill 27 positions on various committees, commissions and councils, from the Arts Council to the Compost Study Committee.

Never heard of the Compost Study Committee? The 11-member group was established by Town Meeting last spring for the purpose of finding a place in town to start a composting pile to generate sellable compost and generate revenue for the town.

“They do it in Lexington and make $375,000 a year from it,” said Rome Capobianco, who brought forth the warrant article for consideration.

Two positions remain vacant on the committee.

“Nothing has been done on the committee because we don’t have enough members,” said Capobianco.

“It is odd,” said Director of Environmental Affairs Martin Houlne. “I cannot remember a vacancy (on the Conservation Commission) being open this long without any interest.” Houlne added that the commission has rolled on, one member short, with the only fear being the possibility of a tie vote.

“We did have one meeting where only four members showed up, but other than that everything has been OK,” he said, adding that he is just looking for someone who is environmentally minded to fill the position.

“They don’t have to be experts, just interested in preserving wetlands and have an interest in managing the town’s open space resources,” Houlne said.

Conservation Commission member John Aliperta said there is a hefty time commitment attached to accepting a position on the commission, with meetings lasting three to four hours, twice a month, and a few hours of prep work studying applications and plans before each meeting.

“But, we all have a vested interest in these issues, living in the community and it feels good to be able to be involved,” Aliperta said. “I would like to see the position filled by someone with a different point of view, what is really lacking on the board is diversity.” He added that he would like to see some new faces step up to the plate, not only on the commission, but other boards around town.

“It always seems to be the same people, I think five of the six commission members are Town Meeting reps,” Aliperta said. “There is a sense that this is too complicated, but Marty (Houlne) and his staff provide a lot of technical information and history. You learn on the job.”

Selectmen Chairman Ellen Day Rawlings has volunteered for a lot of boards and committees. She said that although there seems to be a drought in volunteerism around town, she things people will start to come around.

“I think people are afraid to get involved if they haven’t been before or don’t know anyone on a certain committee or board,” she said. “People think they won’t be welcomed, but that if far from the truth. We would love some fresh ideas.” Rawlings added that she has received a few calls from people looking to get involved in groups around town, who are applying for a position on a committee and just want to introduce themselves.

“Now that the holidays are over, people that have a little time on their hands will be looking for a way to give back and get involved in the community,” she said.

Jennifer Amy Myers’ e-mail address is jmyers@lowellsun.com.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Sun, Lowell, Mass.

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