Town Gov't- commissions

[bull]

anyone involve in Their Town Gov't,IE: Conservation Commission, Town forest Committee, Land use commission Etc.

[Engineer]

Not anymore - what a thankless job. 

I was a Selectman (New England version of Town Council) for a year, right after graduating college.  I filled in an unexpired term for a guy who'd had enough and quit.  After one year, I'd had enough too.  We get the rich folks who move here from out of town and immediately want to change everything, conform to their preferences.  I've often said that you should have to be a full-time resident here for at least ten years before you can run for public office.

[OneWithWood]

I am a supervisor for the county soil and water conservation district.  Does that count?  It is an elected position but it is rare to have more than one candidate willing to put in the time and fight the bureaucratic battles.   

[bull]

Engineer, that is one reason why I Sit on many boards. { To Many newbees and Nimbys }
I believe in the twenty year lifetime rule, Born on dates may be considered, if you left town and fail to return within one year there better be a good reason !! I left town twice for less than 2 months each time, Im back and tied to town......

I am a Town Constable one of two my father is the other Constable, Chairman of our Town forest Committee, Vice Chair of The Conservations Commission, member of the Fair committee, The only member of the Agricultural Commission ( board to be appointed on Jan 23) hope to be elected chairman. also sit on 40 b review committe, openspace committee, and various other boards and committees as needed...... I am also a Speacial Police Officer
I am considered politically incorrect, I say it like it is and stand on common sense and the visions of our founders and forefathers. I make some people nervous and scare others away !

I have been asked to run for selectman, but at present feel I am more value to the town with my committee involvement and abilty to get the selectman to look at the whole picture, this has taken some time, will see what happens in the next few months I have until april to put in my nomination papaers

People moving to Sterling always say they move here for the towns rural Character. { I am a, "The" Rural Character } If you don't like my town or what I have to say, you can get on the road of your choice and leave town !!! A little harsh but too bad  :D

I have served as an alternate to the county FSA USDA board in the past so Onewithwood you still count. I also serve on the BOD of Worcester County Farm bureau and the Sterling Land Trust...
I believe in tough love and I love my town and the people in it and will give anyone of them a kick in the A$$ as needed, or a helping hand !!!!!

[Tom]

I was an elected ASCS Director (Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service) for a couple of years until I found out that the position was used for politicians to get their "new blood" into the election process.  I was unseated by the effort to get one of them elected City Councilman.  I never ran again.  I had wondered why the group of directors didn't seem to take the job any more seriously than they did.

[badpenny]

   I am currently in my third term as a township supervisor, one of three on our town board, and will finish my second stint as Board Chairman this March. This will be the first year that we will not have town elections in March, and will be going to even years in Nov, starting this fall. My term as supervisor will expire end of 2010.

[Ed_K]

 Member of Con Comm since 88,Ag Comm since we started it in 06,Open space com and was Tree warden for a yr till I couldn't put up with the chair of the Planing board (from outa town). I left for 6 yrs Air Force, did I loose my status? We say 25 yrs and you still will be considered out a towner.

[bull]

Ed K you were still registered to vote in your home town, when you enlisted, you returned home on leave etc.... I think your OK....

[Phorester]

I've never had the desire to run for public office.  And being a State gov't employee, we are restricted as to this type of activity.  But I have served on several "land use" type committees that studied rural issues in the two counties I cover as Area Forester. I'm occasionally called on for my forestry opinion for local commissions, etc.  Interesting, when I say something that goes against their pre-concieved notions of trees or forests, I don't get called back again until new people are put in.

I've been successful twice in 10 years of preventing one county from unduly restricting forest and wildlife management activites on private land in that county.  Read that to mean that they wanted to stop logging. I worked with their committee, went to all the public hearings, openly explained and defended forestry, got other foresters and wildlife biologists to give input, came to all their committee meetings, etc. 

I've watched the local Soil and Water Conservation District directors go from all fulltime farmers 30 years ago to suburban environmental types now. Only one fulltime farmer on the Board now.  I keep encouraging him to stay on, but he's getting pretty frustrated with it.  When he goes off, the farming community will have no voice on that Board. 

Maybe after I retire I'll get more active in things like this.

[farmerdoug]

I am a member of our township's Planning Commision and I am the Chairperson for the ZBoA also. 

If you are not involved with your local government then do not be surprised by their laws and changes they implement.  I find the people that go to all of the meetings get to be heard the most and often get their way too.

[beenthere]

I am a member of our township's Planning Commision and I am the Chairperson for the ZBoA also. 
...............

: :
Not sure what the ZBoA stands for, but googling it comes up with Zoning Board of Adjustments. Is that close?   : : : ??? ???

[stonebroke]

I would think it stands for zoning board of appeals.

Stonebroke

[farmerdoug]

Yes,

Zoning Board of Appeals.  One member from the ZBoA has to sit on the Planning Commission so I cover both boards.  The pay is small and I have all of it put into my pension plan as we are not covered by Social Security as government officers.

[Ed_K]

 Bull, a lot of people in this town don't think I'm ok  ;D .

[mike_van]

I'm on ZBA too, my third term. The last election I was endorsed by both parties. I agree, if you're not involved [and have the chance to be] you "give" your town to those who will control it. 

[stonebroke]

Policy is made by those who show up.

Stonebroke