Town Government
Wales Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, much of Wales’s governing happens on volunteer boards and commissions. They review new development, hear zoning appeals, protect wetlands and open space, weigh in on historic places, and guide services for residents. In a town with no appointed administrator, these rooms are where an ordinary resident can have the most direct hand in a decision.
Some boards are appointed by the Board of Selectmen, permanent and ad hoc. Others are elected on the town ballot: the annual election fills seats on the Board of Assessors, the Board of Health, the Planning Board, the Cemetery Commission, and the Library Trustees, along with a Constable. In Wales you can be appointed to some of these seats, and you can simply run for the others.
Key Boards & Commissions
- Planning Board reviews subdivisions, site plans, and major development. Elected. Chair Jason Oney.
- Zoning Board of Appeals hears variances and special permits.
- Conservation Commission protects Wales’s wetlands, streams, and open space. Chair Zachery Berry.
- Finance Committee reviews the budget line by line and advises Town Meeting on spending. Chair Edward Fisher.
- Board of Health oversees inspections and public health rules. Elected. Chair David Foote.
- Historical Commission weighs in on the town’s historic places. Chair Rebecca Smith.
- Parks and Recreation committees look after the fields, playgrounds, and recreation programs.
- Cemetery Commission cares for the town’s cemeteries. Elected. Chair Wilfred Anair.
- Local Cultural Council awards small grants for the arts, humanities, and science across the town.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see the town directory at townofwales.net.
How to Serve
- Find an opening on the town’s Appointments and Vacancies page, or watch the ballot for elected seats.
- Apply online: the town posts an Online Application for Boards and Committees.
- Interview if asked, and await appointment by the Board of Selectmen, or take out nomination papers with the Town Clerk and run.
- 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 Wales.