For Committee Members: Committee Membership

Appointment Process

• Applicants are encouraged to attend meetings of the committee they would like to join to learn about it and its role in the community
• All appointments made by the Selectboard or other elected boards are made by majority vote in a regular open meeting
• All appointees must be registered voters in the Town unless otherwise exempted
• Appointments are made from a list of volunteers who have filled out a Town Committee Volunteer Application
• Typically, the Selectboard will ask for a committee’s recommendation to appoint (or not) an applicant to that committee prior to voting on an applicant
• Written notification of an appointment is made by the Town Clerk
• Acknowledgement of acceptance of the appointment should be made
• When you receive notification of an appointment you must contact the Town Clerk to be sworn in. This must be done before taking a seat on the committee and before voting on committee matters.

Duration of Appointments

• Appointment length varies depending upon the need, vacancy, state law and/or Town Meeting vote
• Some appointments are made for the duration of a project, some yearly, but the most common term for standing committees are terms of three years
• Alternates are appointed for just one year

 Reappointment

• Anyone seeking reappointment must fill out the volunteer application
• Reappointment is based on evaluation by the appointing authority of the citizen’s contribution to the committee, the desirability of widespread involvement and the changing needs of the committee and the Town
• The appointing authority is not obligated to offer reappointment

Resignations and Removal

Resignation

• A committee member who is no longer able to serve, or moves out of Town (unless otherwise stated by law), should resign promptly.
• Resignations must be submitted in writing or by email to the Committee Chair and the Selectboard.
• Elected officials must notify the Town Clerk in writing of their resignation
• Formal notification ensures that vacancies are filled promptly

Removal

Repeated non-attendance at meetings, or other failure to discharge the duties of office, is grounds for removal from appointed office.

Filling a Vacancy on an Elected Board

Upon receiving notice of the vacancy, the Town Clerk and Town Administrator will work with the Board and the Selectboard to fill the vacancy per State law.