The Town Needs Your Help!
Towns provide many functions. Some of them are more visible to residents than others. Some are required and others are more discretionary. Some of the functions are provided by volunteers. Rollinsford needs more volunteers. Many of the appointments to the boards and committees are expiring in March. We will be voting to fill some of them. Others are appointed by the Select Board right after Town Meeting. Thank you to all of the people who dedicated their time in service to our community this past year. The following are boards and committees on which volunteers serve. Please read the brief excerpts about them and consider offering your name to be considered for appointment. Each has its own level of commitment which often is not very much time per month. Come meet more of your neighbors!
Planning Board
Meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm. This is an essential function we must offer to property owners wishing to subdivide or develop their property, start or expand a business or change the use of a property, for example. There is typically no outside work required and meetings are typically not more than two hours. Members should become familiar with the Zoning Ordinance and other planning regulations.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Meets at the call of the Chairperson when there is a case to be heard (typically 3-5 times per year). This is an essential function we must offer to property owners who feel aggrieved by a land use decision made by the Planning Board, Town or planning regulations. It is a quasi-judicial body.
Conservation Commission
The group manages the conservation land along the Salmon Falls River known as Scoutland, the area beyond the community garden on Foundry Street, and discusses topics important to our natural environment. Some development requires a review by the Conservation Commission and their opinions can inform planning regulations.
Recreation Committee
These volunteers are the super heroes who recreated the summer recreation program which would otherwise have been discontinued just a few years ago. Summer camp, pick-up basketball, the new youth soccer program in the evenings, and senior programming could not function without this group.
Highway Safety Committee
This group only meets when there is a topic for discussion. They meet to discuss matters of public safety including, but not limited to traffic concerns. They make recommendations to the Select Board regarding roadways, when appropriate.
Stormwater Committee
This committee is necessary for keeping the Town compliant with our MS-4 permit which allows us to discharge stormwater into the Salmon Falls River. This is a federal permit which obligates the Town to engage in public outreach and public engagement regarding public activities which pollute waterways as well as water testing and data compilation.
Historical Committee
We live in a small town with a lot of history. This group meets monthly to discuss topics of historical significance to Rollinsford and the Salmon Falls region. You don’t have to be an expert on local history to join, just interested in learning, sharing, and preserving the fascinating stories of our town. This group is flexible in making the most of the members’ strengths and interests and setting meetings to work for all members. They have provided educational programs, history hikes, and restoration projects, so handy people are especially welcome!
Don’t see the thing you are passionate about listed? Offer your idea to the Select Board and if there is enough interest, perhaps a new committee can be formed.
If you would like further information or to offer to serve, please email the Town Administrator or stop by the Town Office.