“The Selectmen”, you say “and the Town Manager and Town Meeting Members.” Add to them Town employees such as the Department of Public Works staff, the Firemen, Police, Librarians, the town Manager, Town Clerk, and Town Hall staff. Still, you’re only half way there.
“The strength of Winchester remains its people,” Roger Berman, Board of Selectmen Chair, states elsewhere in this issue. While Town residents’ energy and time are given in abundance in the positions of Selectman, Town Meeting Member, and other elected offices, you may be surprised to know that residents also fill the slots of more than 40 appointed – not elected – boards and committees. Their work is essential to the smooth functioning and well-being of this community. These groups include the Finance Committee, Constable, Committee on Names, Field Management Committee, Wildwood Cemetery Advisory Committee, among others. The functions of some are clear from their titles, other are not so obvious.
To see the full list of appointed, and elected, positions go to www.winchester.us and click on “Boards and Commissions (in the left-hand column). You can then click on the title of an elected or an appointed board to see its members and, usually, learn its purpose.
Perhaps you’ll find an aspect of our Town’s government that intrigues you. In that case, don’t delay. Learn about appointed vacancies by clicking on “Jobs/Volunteering” in the left-hand column of the Boards and Commissions page. Then click on the name of any listed group to find the number of vacancies, to learn about its work and how to apply to fill the vacancy. If an elected position interests you, call the Town Clerk’s office at least by mid-January to learn the procedure for running in the Town election.
Town Clerk Mary Ellen Lannon, 721-7130, will be glad to fill in details and answer any questions about both appointed and elected positions.
