Selectmen Create Public Events And Celebrations Committee

Through the course of the campaign seasons, several candidates have mentioned the desire to see more community-based events and greater resident involvement.

The Board of Selectmen may have killed two birds with one stone at their meeting this week, with the formation of the Town Public Events and Celebrations Committee.

According to the description crafted by the committee will be "charged with planning and carrying out the proper observation of patriotic and civic holidays and special town events as the board may designate from time to time."

Among the events the group will oversee will be the Lighting of the Common in December, the Memorial Day Ceremonies and the July 4th Celebration.

While the committee will be under the oversight of the town manager and the board of selectmen, funding for any of the activities will come exclusively through private donations and fund-raising efforts.

The committee will be made up of four at-large members from the community and one representative from the Board of Selectmen. At its meeting on April 2, the board chose Chairman David Gay to fill that position.

Members of any non-profit groups that might donate to or fundraise for the committee are excluded from serving, as to avoid the perception of conflict of interest.

Aside from that limitation, the only qualification required to serve is the ability to work well with others, according to Gay.

Appointments to the committee will be made by the board on June 30. Interested residents are encouraged to send a letter of interest to the Town Manager.