By Beth David, Editor
Cities and towns rely on volunteers to serve on a variety of appointed boards and committees. Some committees meet frequently, such as the Finance Committee during budget season, and others meet only once a month. Some require learning a lot about bylaws and state laws, such as the Planning Board and Conservation Commission, while others are less intense. Both Acushnet and Fairhaven have openings on a number of boards.
Acushnet
The following boards/commissions have vacancies. To be considered, submit a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen, 122 Main Street, Acushnet, MA 02743. Download the Citizens’ Interest form at https://www.acushnet.ma.us/1198/Volunteer-opportunities, fill it out and return it to the Select Board.
• Agricultural Commission Alternates: 3
• Beautification Committee: 2
• Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Committee: 2
• Board of Appeals Alternate – 1
• By-Law Review Committee Alternates: 3
• Community Preservation (Historical): 1
• Community Preservation (Housing Authority) 1
• Community Preservation – Citizen at Large: 1
• Conservation Commission: 1
• Cultural Council: 3
• Election Member Republican: 1
• Finance Committee:1
• Historical Commission: 1
Fairhaven
The Fairhaven Select Board will hold a meeting on Wednesday, 10/14/26, at 6 p.m. in Town Hall to review and make appointments for all committees and boards. It will be the first round of appointments since the bylaw passed limiting the number of boards a resident can serve on.
All appointed committees from Art Curator to Zoning Board of Appeals, have some positions that will be appointed on the 14th.
Any currently serving official whose term is up for reappointment in 2026, must submit a new volunteer application on the town’s website, or contact the Select Board’s office to get help with the application process.
Many of the boards are one-year appointments, so all the positions will be reconsidered.
Visit https://fairhaven-ma.gov/volunteer-opportunities/ for the online application, or submit a letter of interest by email to Selectboard@Fairhaven-MA.gov; or mail to Select Board Office, 40 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719; call 508-979-4023, ext. 9102 with any questions.
Deadline to apply is October 8 to be considered at the 10/14 meeting, but residents can still apply to be apointed at a later date if an opening exists.
The complete list is available at https://fairhaven-ma.gov/volunteer-for-a-board-or-committee/.
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