What is happening with town boards and commissions? Are there fewer people volunteering these days or has the town created too many commissions?

On Tuesday morning, the Town Clerk’s office shared a list of the boards and commissions that are looking for members. That list was 13 boards deep: Autism Advisory Council, Board of Assessment Review, Board of Canvassers, Board of Library Trustees, Bristol County Water Authority, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committee, Economic Development Commission, Housing Board of Trustees, Resilience and Energy Committee, Senior Services Advisory Board, Technical Review Committee, Veterans Advisory Committee, and Zoning Board of Review. 

In addition, some of those boards and commissions need to fill multiple vacancies — Board of Assessment Review, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Senior Services, Technical Review Committee, Veterans Advisory, and Zoning Board of Review. 

In total, it appears that the town needs 25 people to step up and volunteer. That seems like a lot, and the task seems even tougher these days when both parents are working, kids are over-scheduled, and there are dozens of non-profits also seeking volunteer assistance.

We feel like this is place in the editorial where we should write that we are confident enough residents will step up and fill the vacancies, but honestly, it has been many months with double-digit boards and commissions seeking new volunteers. We are not sure there are enough volunteers to go around.

Maybe it would be wise to take a closer look at all these boards and see if we need to make some changes. Is consolidation possible? Can a few boards be “moth-balled”? Should we consider shrinking membership so it is easier to fill all the open seats?

In the meantime, town officials are encouraging any residents interested in volunteering to fill out an application and submit it to the Clerk’s office. 

You can find the application on the town’s website — www.barrington.ri.gov — or at the Town Clerk’s office, or at the public library.