Town Government
Southampton Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Select Board and the School Committee, much of Southampton’s governing happens on boards and commissions. They approve new development, hear zoning appeals, protect the wetlands and open space, weigh in on historic places, and guide how the town spends its Community Preservation money. They are the rooms where an ordinary resident can have the most direct hand in a decision.
Some members are appointed by the Select Board, and Southampton elects many others directly at Town Meeting time, including the Board of Health, the Assessors, the Planning Board, the Water Commission, and the Library Trustees. 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 Southampton’s wetlands, rivers, and open space.
- Finance Committee reviews the budget and advises Town Meeting on spending.
- Community Preservation Committee recommends how the town spends its Community Preservation funds, from open space to the greenway.
- Board of Health oversees inspections, septic rules, and public health.
- Agricultural Commission supports the farms that still work the town’s land.
- Historical Commission helps protect Southampton’s historic places and records.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see the town’s boards and committees page.
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 by the Select Board.
- 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 Southampton.