Town Government
Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Selectboard and the School Committee, much of Granville’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, guide services for older residents, and advise Town Meeting on the budget. They are the rooms where an ordinary resident can have the most direct hand in a decision, and in a hilltown this small the seats are elected as often as they are appointed.
Some boards, like the Planning Board and the Assessors, are elected town-wide; others are appointed by the Selectboard. Either way the meetings are public, and seats open up regularly.
Key Boards & Commissions
- Planning Board is a five-member elected board that reviews subdivisions, site plans, and the town’s zoning map.
- Zoning Board of Appeals hears variances and special permits.
- Conservation Commission protects Granville’s wetlands, streams, and open space.
- Finance Committee reviews the budget and advises Town Meeting on spending; its members are appointed by the Moderator.
- Board of Health oversees inspections, septic review, and public health rules, and in Granville the Selectboard sits as this board.
- Historical Commission and Agricultural Commission look after the town’s historic places and its working farms and orchards.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see granville-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 Selectboard office.
- Interview if asked, and await appointment by the Selectboard.
- 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 Granville.