Town Government
Berkley Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, much of Berkley’s governing happens on volunteer boards and commissions. They review new development, hear zoning appeals, protect the town’s wetlands and its stretch of the Taunton River, guard the town’s history, and advise Town Meeting on the budget. They are the rooms where an ordinary resident can have the most direct hand in a decision.
Some of these seats are elected on the town ballot and some are appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The meetings are public, and seats open up regularly.
Elected Boards
- Board of Assessors sets property values for taxation. Chair Lisa Tetreault, with members Mark N. Pettey Jr. and Jeanne Russo.
- Board of Health oversees inspections, permits, and public health rules. Chair James E. Romano, with members Daniel E. Fournier and Patrick V. McCrohan.
- Planning Board reviews subdivisions and major development. Vice Chair Michael Leger, with Donna Leary, Gregory Unger, and two open seats.
- Library Trustees govern the Berkley Public Library. Chair Dean Larabee, with Paula Dugan and Megan Silva.
- Cemetery Commissioners care for the town’s cemeteries. Chair Kevin Pavao, with Robert Longton and John Oliveira.
- Town Moderator George F. Miller runs Town Meeting and rules on its procedure.
Regional Seats on Your Ballot
- Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee governs the high school Berkley shares with Somerset. Berkley’s representatives are Jenifer Andrews, elected by Berkley voters, and Jilleen Solomon, appointed for a one-year term by the Berkley School Committee from among its own members.
- Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Committee oversees the vocational school in Taunton. Berkley’s representative is Richard Spada.
Appointed Boards
- Conservation Commission protects Berkley’s wetlands, rivers, and open space.
- Zoning Board of Appeals hears variances and special permits.
- Finance Committee reviews the budget and advises Town Meeting on spending.
- Historical Commission and Agricultural Commission guard the town’s history and its farmland.
- The town also seats a Cultural Council, a Board of Registrars, a Capital Improvement Planning Committee, and others.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see townofberkleyma.gov.
How to Serve
- Find an opening on the town’s boards and committees page.
- Submit a letter of interest or application to the Board of Selectmen office.
- Interview if asked, and await appointment by the Board of Selectmen, or run for an elected seat on the town ballot.
- Serve: attend the public meetings and help make decisions for your town.
Serving on a board is one of the most direct ways to shape Berkley.