Town Government
Colrain Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Select Board and the School Committee, much of Colrain’s governing happens on volunteer boards and commissions. They review new development, hear zoning appeals, protect the wetlands and open space, advise on the budget, support farming and the arts, and guide services for older residents. They are the rooms where an ordinary resident can have the most direct hand in a decision, and in a town this size a single volunteer can carry real weight.
The meetings are public, and seats open up regularly.
Key Boards & Commissions
- Planning Board reviews subdivisions, site plans, and land use.
- Zoning Board of Appeals hears variances and special permits.
- Conservation Commission protects Colrain’s wetlands, brooks, and open space.
- Finance Committee reviews the budget and advises Town Meeting on spending.
- Board of Health oversees inspections and public health rules, with services delivered regionally through the FRCOG Cooperative Public Health Service.
- Agricultural Commission supports the town’s working farms and rural character.
- Energy Committee works on the town’s energy use and clean-energy projects.
- Council on Aging and the Cultural Council run services and grants for residents and the arts.
- Historical Commission looks after the town’s historic places and records.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see colrain-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 Select Board office.
- Interview if asked, and await appointment.
- 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 Colrain.
MassCivics last checked this page on October 14, 2026.
Sources
- Town records: Town of Colrain, Board of Health, as of October 13, 2026.
- Town records: Town of Colrain, Staff Directory, as of October 13, 2026.