There is a part in each Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting when the board appoints individuals to the various non-elected town boards or commissions as vacancies arise. Typically the Democratic Town Committee or the Republican Town Committee (RTC) nominates candidates to the positions, however the BOS wants residents to know that party affiliation is not a prerequisite for community service.

First Selectman Matt Hoey said the board recently appointed an individual to a board who was not put forward by one of the town committees. He said it was a good reminder that in Guilford there are more unaffiliated voters than there are Democrats or Republicans, so he and the board wanted to make sure the largest group of voters in town doesn’t feel like they can’t volunteer because there is no committee to put their name forward.

“Unaffiliated citizens, if they have interest in boards and commission have as much opportunity to be a part of this,” said Selectman Sandy Ruoff.

Even if you are a registered Democrat or Republican, Selectman Sue Renner said those folks are still welcome to bypass the town committee, “if that is just a roadblock to you getting yourself on a board where you want to do some good”.

At its meeting in late September, the board decided to go with a candidate who came forward independently for an alternate position on the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) over the RTC-nominated candidate, who had previously served on the PZC and whose second nomination sparked some reservations from members of both parties.

The Guilford town website lists all of the boards, commissions, and committees along with information regarding responsibilities, frequency of meetings, sitting members, term lengths, and vacancies. To apply to serve, contact the First Selectman’s Office at www.ci.guilford.ct.us/departments/selectmens-office.