Wanted – a few good volunteers. That is what the Princeton Council is seeking as the terms of several members serving on the Board of Health and the Human Services and Civil Rights commissions are expiring at the end of December.
Council President Leticia Fraga said the members of the governing body would like to identify potential volunteers who would be willing to fill the vacancies so they can be appointed by the council next month.
There is at least one vacancy on the Board of Health, three vacancies on the Human Services Commission and two vacancies on the Civil Rights Commission, Fraga said.
The Board of Health’s mission is to protect and improve the public’s health through disease prevention, health education and community planning, Fraga said. She is the council’s liaison to the board.
The Human Services Commission advocates for the interests of senior citizens, young people, local assistance recipients and other residents in the areas of civil and human rights, town officials said. The commission members monitor services and needs assessments for senior citizens and youths.
The Civil Rights Commission needs two volunteers to replace individuals whose terms are expiring and who are not seeking reappointment. The commission advises the mayor and council on municipal policies related to civil rights and equal treatment. The commission members coordinate community education outreach on civil rights issues.
“We encourage all Princeton residents who are interested in local government and who want to volunteer their services to visit the municipal website’s Boards, Commissions and Committees page to learn about them,” Fraga said.
The municipal website is www.princetonnj.gov
There is a description of each advisory board, commission and committee on the Boards, Commissions and Committees page; from the Affordable Housing Board and the Animal Control Advisory Committee to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Citizens Finance Advisory Committee, the Environmental Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission.
A link to an online application can be found on the Boards, Commissions and Committees page. The application can be filled out and submitted online, or a paper copy of the application may be mailed or delivered to the Municipal Clerk at 400 Witherspoon St.
The application form lists the boards, commissions and committees, and even if there are no vacancies on a panel, residents can fill out the form and submit it, Fraga said.
Potential volunteers have the option of checking off the board, commission or committee on which they would be interested in serving, Fraga said. They can rank them in order of their preference.
Volunteer options are not limited to the boards, commissions and committees, she said.
“Throughout the year, the council may establish ad hoc task forces, similar to the Parking Permit Task Force and the Cannabis Task Force. Anyone who is interested in serving on an ad hoc task force can apply when the task force comes up,” Fraga said.