Town Government
Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, much of Cheshire’s governing happens on volunteer boards and commissions. They review new development, hear zoning appeals, protect the town’s wetlands and open space, weigh in on historic places, and advise Town Meeting on the budget. They are the rooms where an ordinary resident can have the most direct hand in a decision.
Most members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen and serve fixed terms, though some, like the Board of Assessors, are elected. The meetings are public, and seats open up regularly.
Key Boards & Commissions
- Planning Board reviews subdivisions, site plans, and major development.
- Zoning Board of Appeals hears variances and special permits.
- Conservation Commission protects Cheshire’s wetlands, rivers, and open space.
- Finance Committee reviews the budget and advises Town Meeting on spending.
- Board of Health oversees inspections, clinics, and public health rules.
- Board of Assessors, Agricultural Commission, Cemetery Commission, Historical Commission, and the Open Space and Recreation Committee round out the town’s volunteer boards.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see cheshire-ma.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.
- 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 Cheshire.