We all should be enormously appreciative of those who volunteer to serve on town commissions. Whether it be ethics, zoning, planning, elections, the historic district, or any other commission or committee, those volunteers give selflessly of their time and expertise and play a vital role. Their service is enormously valuable and important.
The Town Commissioners have an obligation to help those volunteers understand the scope of their jurisdiction and responsibilities. Very often volunteers are dealing with issues for which they have no specific prior training or experience. The Commissioners need to make sure these appointed volunteers get training when they join a commission and that there is oversight of how they are carrying out their responsibilities.
In some instances we have seen leaders of some of these volunteer commissions assume authority that they do not possess, attempt to expand their jurisdiction beyond its scope, or, conversely, decline to act on matters that they are entrusted to resolve.
The Town Commissioners need to pay closer attention to the actions and decision-making of our volunteer commissions and their members, who need to be accountable for their performance.
