Town Government
Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, much of Rowley’s governing happens on volunteer boards and commissions. They approve new development, hear zoning appeals, protect the Great Marsh and the wetlands along Plum Island Sound, guide the town’s finances, and run services for residents. They are the rooms where an ordinary resident can have the most direct hand in a decision.
Some members are elected town-wide and others are appointed by the Board of Selectmen, and most serve fixed terms. The meetings are public, and seats open up regularly.
Key Boards & Commissions
- Planning Board reviews subdivisions, site plans, and major development, including the proposed Rowley Farms commercial overlay.
- Zoning Board of Appeals hears variances and special permits.
- Conservation Commission protects Rowley’s wetlands, rivers, and open space under the state and local wetlands rules.
- Finance Committee reviews the budget and advises Town Meeting on spending.
- Board of Assessors sets property values and the tax roll, and is elected town-wide.
- Board of Health oversees inspections, clinics, and public health rules.
- Municipal Light Board and Municipal Water Board govern the town’s own electric light and water services.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see townofrowley.net.
How to Serve
- Find an opening on the town’s boards and committees page.
- Submit a letter of interest or application to the Selectmen’s Office.
- Interview if asked, and await appointment by the Board of Selectmen, or run for an elected seat in the spring.
- 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 Rowley.