Town Government
Georgetown Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Select Board and the School Committee, much of Georgetown’s governing happens on boards and commissions. Some are elected on the annual town ballot, and many are appointed. They approve new development, hear zoning appeals, protect the town’s wetlands and open space, weigh in on the budget, and guide services for residents. They are the rooms where an ordinary resident can have the most direct hand in a decision.
Georgetown voters elect several of these bodies directly. On the May 2026 ballot they chose the Planning Board, the Board of Assessors, the Library Trustees, the Municipal Light and Water Commissions, and the Housing Authority, alongside the Select Board and School Committee.
Key Boards & Commissions
- Planning Board reviews subdivisions, site plans, and major development. Its members are elected to five-year terms.
- Zoning Board of Appeals hears variances and special permits.
- Conservation Commission protects Georgetown’s wetlands, ponds, and open space, including the town land at Camp Denison.
- Finance and Advisory Board reviews the budget and advises Town Meeting on spending.
- Board of Health oversees inspections, permits, and public health rules.
- Historical Commission works on the town’s historic places and records.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see georgetownma.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 Georgetown.