The Town of Auburn encourages residents to participate in the decision-making process by becoming members of various boards and commissions. Serving on a board or commission can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to the quality of life of the community. Town Administration relies on the interest and involvement of its volunteers who seek an active role with the functions of local government.
Are you interested in learning more about Auburn’s Boards or Committees by becoming a member? Please view current board vacancies below, or visit the Town of Auburn website Board and Committee page for a full list of boards and commissions:
https://auburnguide.com/292/Boards-Committees-Vacancies
PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board is responsible for guiding development of land and growth within the Town of Auburn, in accordance with the Zoning Bylaws, Subdivision Regulations, and professional guidance of various town departments. This includes Site Plan Review, ANR Plans, and Special Permits for commercial and residential developments and subdivisions.
The Planning Board is a five member (plus one associate seat) regulatory board that meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm. The Associate Planning Board member participates in all matters before the Board in a non-voting capacity, unless a regular member is not in attendance or unable to vote in accordance with State law.
ZONING BOARD of APPEALS
The purpose of the Zoning Board of Appeals is to hear and decide appeals in accordance with the law, to hear and decide applications for special permits upon which the Board is empowered to act under, to hear and decide petitions for variances, and to hear and decide appeals from decision of the Code Enforcement Officer, and protect the Town’s Aquifer.
The Zoning Board of Appeals is a seven member regulatory Board that meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00pm. (dates and times subject to change)
Zoning By-Law Review Committee
The mission of the Zoning By-Law Review Committee is to review the Town’s current Zoning By-Laws and make recommendations to the Planning Board for revisions, amendments, and other factors or issues, which the Committee and town administration identifies as pertinent. The Committee will work with the following to continuously submit amendments and/or draft bylaw proposals for Town meeting consideration: Master Plan Committee, Planning Board, Select Board, Town Administration, Town Manager, and Town Planner.
The Zoning By-law Review Committee is an advisory committee appointed by the Town Manager and meets approximately 4 times annually,
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee typically meets once a month on Thursdays, mostly in the mornings 9AM or a bit later at 11AM, and the meetings usually last 1.5 to 2 hours. It is a three-member committee. Anyone who has an interest in solid waste or recycling is welcome, the members share a passion for reuse, repurpose and recycle and finding ways to decrease trash in order to save the town money and ensure environmental sustainability.
Additionally, the Solid Waste Committee will be working on the municipal trash and recycling contract.
Historical Commission
The Historical Commission aims to strengthen the protection and preservation of historic buildings, structures, properties, and cemeteries in the Town, through heightened public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the Town's historic resources, while fostering the Town’s legacy.
The Historic Commission is a 7-member advisory commission, appointed by the Town Manager, that meets once per month; day and time vary depending on member availability.
Commission on Disability
The Commission on Disability promotes the inclusion and independence of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life by improving opportunities, supportive services, accommodations, and accessibility.
OBJECTIVES
- Researches local problems of people with disabilities.
- Advises and assists municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities.
- Coordinates or carries out programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts office on disability.
- Reviews and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities of departments, boards and agencies of the Town as they affect people with disabilities.
- Provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability.
- Coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes.
A majority of Commission members shall consist of people with disabilities, one member shall be a member of the immediate family of a person with a disability and one member of shall be either an elected or appointed official of the Town of Auburn. The Commission is a five member advisory commission appointed by the Town Manager, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen, for three year terms, meeting at least one time per month.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
It is the role of the Conservation Commission to enforce the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, the Rivers Protection Act and the Auburn Wetlands By-Law. The Conservation Commission aspires to minimize the impact of activities on wetland values, including:
- Aesthetics
- Agriculture
- Aquaculture Values
- Erosion and Sedimentation Control
- Fisheries
- Flood Control
- Freshwater Shellfish
- Groundwater
- Public or Private Water Supply
- Recreation
- Storm Damage Prevention
- Water Pollution Prevention
- Wildlife Habitat
The Conservation Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Town Manager for three-year terms.