Town Government
Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Selectboard and the School Committee, much of Whately’s governing happens on volunteer boards and commissions. Between them the town keeps dozens of these bodies, filled by residents. They approve new development, hear zoning appeals, protect the wetlands and the river corridors, guard the town’s farmland and historic places, and decide how Community Preservation money is spent. They are the rooms where an ordinary resident can have the most direct hand in a decision.
Most members are appointed by the Selectboard and serve fixed terms. 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 Whately’s wetlands, rivers, and open space.
- Finance Committee reviews the budget and advises Town Meeting on spending, and often meets jointly with the Selectboard.
- Community Preservation Committee recommends how the town’s Community Preservation funds pay for open space, recreation, historic preservation, and housing.
- Board of Health oversees inspections, septic rules, and public health through the Foothills Health District.
- Agricultural Commission supports the farms that have worked Whately’s land for generations.
- Historical Commission helps protect the town’s historic buildings and places.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see whately.org.
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 Whately.