MIDDLETON — The Tri-Town governments still need more help.
Of the at least 25 committee vacancies in the area, the most prominent opening is on Middleton's Elementary School Committee, which drew no formal or write-in candidates during the last election. Selectmen and other school board members hope to fill the post in a joint July 29 meeting but so far have drawn only two applications in nearly two months of searching. The appointee will help establish school budgets, lay the groundwork for a new school and set the school system's goals.
"Serving on school committee, serving on any of the boards, is a very rewarding experience, and it's important for the community," said Teresa Buono, chairwoman of Middleton's Elementary School Committee. Buono said the biggest qualification for any of the posts is simply an interest in serving.
Most positions require only town residency and U.S. citizenship, officials said. Others require being a registered voters, and some committees are seeking people with particular backgrounds, such as in engineering. Generally, people interested in the posts should call their town's selectmen's office and inquire, or write a letter of interest to selectmen. Topsfield and Boxford are listing some vacancies on their Web sites.
Middleton is also seeking to fill vacancies in its Board of Health and Housing Authority.
Topsfield selectmen have spent much of their time debating how to fill vacancies on the Conservation Commission, including a post that has been vacant more than two years. While Topsfield selectmen think they've got enough candidates for that board, the town needs to fill spots on eight other boards. Vacancies range alphabetically from the Affordable Housing Committee to the Surface & Ground Water Study Committee.
Boxford has the largest number of vacancies in the Tri-Town area — including, ironically, two positions on its Personnel Committee.
Help wanted
Announced or potential vacancies by town:
Boxford: Cable Television Advisory Committee; Council on Aging; Housing Partnership Committee; Community Preservation Act Committee; Finance Committee; Historic Districts and Historic Committee; Lakes, Ponds and Streams Committee; Masconomet Scholarship Committee; Permanent Building Committee; Personnel Board; Recreation Committee; Recycling Committee; and Zoning Board of Appeals.
Middleton: Elementary School Committee, Board of Health and Housing Authority.
Topsfield: Affordable Housing Committee, Alcohol Licensing Advisory Committee, Cable TV, Computer Technology, Insurance Committee, Recreation Committee, Recycling Committee, and Surface & Ground Water Study Committee.
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