AMHERST – More than a month after the Select Board gave instructions to a committee that will study improving parking in downtown and the need for a second parking garage, members are still being sought for the Downtown Parking Working Group.
In late January, some of the 11 members of the Amherst Center Recreation Working Group were appointed by then interim Town Manager David Ziomek, but this new committee is still awaiting more members before starting its work.
The need for citizen volunteers to serve on the town’s growing number of boards and committees continues to be an issue, with Select Board Chairwoman Alisa Brewer saying Wednesday that there are several vacancies that need to be addressed.
As of Jan. 26, a report to the Select Board showed there were 38 vacancies spread among 21 boards and committees. Brewer said those appointed by the Select Board have 22 openings.
To deal with this issue, Brewer said she encourages residents to fill out so-called Citizen Activity Forms, either on the town’s website at www.amherstma.gov or at Town Hall.
“Go ahead and apply,” Brewer said.
Currently, Select Board members Constance Kruger and James Wald are responsible for bringing forward recommendations for appointments for which the Select Board is responsible. Kruger and Wald talk to a committee chairperson about the skills being sought, and then identify candidates from those who have filled out a form, Brewer said.
For new committees, such as those studying Amherst center parking and recreation, Brewer said the town needs to get more information onto the town website so people know the roles and responsibilities and whether they will be a good match.
Interim Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner said it is important to have boards and committees at full strength, and he is making a priority that those who he appoints are filled, including the Planning Board, where two vacancies exist, and both the Leisure Services and Supplemental Education Commission and Water Supply Protection Committee, which each have one vacancy.
“One of my personal goals is to make sure there are no vacancies on town-manager appointed committees when I leave here,” Hechenbleikner said.
Hechenbleikner, who is expected to be in his position through annual Town Meeting and into the summer, recently began making his appointments using a new protocol, necessitated, in part, by being a newcomer to town and not knowing many residents.
This protocol includes having candidates do a joint in-person interview with Hechenbleikner, the chairperson of the board or committee and a Select Board liaison.
Hechenbleikner is also seeking volunteers for the new Fire Department and Public Works Facilities Planning Committee.
Since he started Feb. 1, Hechenbleikner said he has appointed two residents to the Cable Advisory Committee and two people to the Recycling and Refuse Management Committee, and named one person a constable.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
