Westfield Seeks Residents for 2027 Boards, Commissions by Nov. 23

According to the Town of Westfield's announcement.

Residents who want a voice in local decisions have until Monday, November 23, to apply for a 2027 appointment to a board, commission or advisory council in Westfield. The Town of Westfield is taking applications for pending vacancies through its online form at westfieldnj.gov/volunteer.

Mayor Jeremy Berman opened the call at the October 6 Town Council meeting. "I'm grateful to the many volunteers who share their time and expertise with the Town each year," Berman said. He added that he looks forward to welcoming more residents into these roles. He repeated the call in the Westfield Weekly messages.

Union County Life reviewed the Town's list of openings. Fifteen boards and commissions have openings for 2027. Local panels include the Bicycle Advisory Board, Board of Adjustment, Board of Health, Historic Preservation Commission, Mental Health Council, Planning Board, Public Arts Commission, Recreation Commission, Special Improvement District (DWC) Board and Tree Preservation Commission.

The list also includes the Westfield Memorial Library Board, the Union County Air Traffic Advisory Board, Union County Community Development Revenue Sharing, the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Board and the Union County Transportation Advisory Board.

Three Mayor's Advisory Councils also have openings: Lifelong Westfield, the Retail Advisory Board and the Westfield Green Team. Beginning in 2027, the Mental Health Council will become a subcommittee of the Board of Health. Lifelong Westfield will become a subcommittee of the Recreation Commission.

Some seats come with a filing rule. Under New Jersey's Local Government Ethics Law, members of the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Board of Health, Recreation Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and Library Board of Trustees must file annual Financial Disclosure Statements. These statements show sources of income but not amounts.

The form asks for your name, address, phone and email. It also asks whether you are a Westfield resident, which ward you live in, and whether you are a high school student or a current appointee reapplying. Educational background is required. A résumé or LinkedIn profile, work and volunteer experience, and diversity information are optional.

The Town does not say how many seats each board has open, and it states no residency or age rule. No fee, email address or office hours are listed. Appointees will be notified before the annual Town Reorganization Meeting in early January. For questions, call Westfield Town Hall, 425 East Broad Street, at 908-789-4040.

With the deadline about a month away, residents weighing a 2027 seat can apply now.

When: Applications accepted through Monday, November 23

Where: Online at westfieldnj.gov/volunteer

How to register: Complete the Town's online volunteer application form

Deadline: Monday, November 23

Contact: Westfield Town Hall, 425 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090, 908-789-4040

Find more Westfield events, businesses, and local news on Union County Life.

Source: Town of Westfield, 2027 Volunteer Application

Photo: Nacho Gomez / Pexels