Boards & Commissions

Volunteers serve on over 30 government boards and commissions. Share your expertise and get involved. Send or fax your resume to the Town Clerk stating your party affiliation and the position you are interested in. Fax (860) 561-7438 or call (860) 561-7447. Address: Town of West Hartford, 50 South Main St., West Hartford, CT 06107.

BOARD / COMMISSION

MEMBERS

MEETING
SCHEDULE

POWER AND DUTIES

Audit Committee

2 regular

As needed

Reviews the annual financial statements of the Town and Board of Education, and reviews and recommends to the Town Council any appropriate alterations to auditing and accounting principles, practices, and procedures to be followed when preparing financial statements.

Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities

11 regular

Quarterly and at other such times as the Commission shall determine.

Improves public awareness and understanding of the special needs, as well as the rights, of persons with disabilities.

Board of Assessment Appeals

3 regular
2 alternates

Board of Assessors

5 regular

2nd Thursday of the month

Selects policies for the assessment office according to the General Statutes of Connecticut and shall appoint and, when necessary for the good of the town, remove a director of assessment.

Board of Education

7 members, elected for 4 year staggered terms

1st and 3rd Tuesday

Oversees public education. Sets policies concerning educational, organizational, and financial matters; monitors and evaluates the administration of its policies; and recommends annual operating and capital budgets to the Town Council.

Cemetery Advisory Board

7 members

Advises the Town Manager, Town Council and other such agencies of town government as may be appropriate with respect to the operation of Fairview, North and Center Cemeteries.

Conservation & Environment Commission

11 regular

As needed

Develops and conserves natural resources and protects the integrity of the environment within the territorial limits of the town.

Constables

9 regular

N/A

Has the authority to collect any taxes due the municipality.

Council Zoning Alternates

3 regular
2 alternates

Will be called upon to fill in for an absent Council member

Sits in for any member of the Town Council on any zoning matter and acts in its capacity as the zoning authority for the town.

Design Review Advisory Committee

6 regular
2 alternates

As needed

Reviews building plans for the purpose of making recommendations, the Committee shall consider and take cognizance of the development of adjacent, contiguous, and neighboring buildings and properties for the purpose of achieving safe, harmonious, aesthetically pleasing, and integrated development of related properties.

Commission on Ethics

5 members

Shall adopt and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations, which shall be available to any elector of the Town. The Commission shall render advisory opinions to any agency of the town and to officers, officials and employees pursuant to written request or upon its own initiative.

Fair Rent Commission

7 regular

As needed

Acts on complaints of excessive rental charges or request for investigation.

3 regular

As needed

Duty of proprietors when the line is such that no fence can be made.

2 regular

1st Thursday of the month at Union Station Transportation
Center

Acquires, operates, finances, plans, develops, and maintains all forms of land transportation and develops and maintains transportation centers and parking facilities including Hartford's Union Station.

5 regular
3 alternates

4th Monday of the month except for May. No meetings
in Nov. or Dec.

Makes decisions on requests to build, remodel, enlarge, or demolish buildings and structures within the historic district and engage in activities to enhance historic and architectural preservation on the town.

5 regular

As needed

Creates and preserves affordable housing for low-income persons and families throughout West Hartford. The Authority works to provide programs and resources for low-income residents, which will assist them in maintaining independent living styles in affordable housing.

7 regular

As needed

Considers appeals from decisions regarding the Town Housing Code or State Building Code.

9 regular

Quarterly

Encourages equality of treatment of all people, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, economic status, national origin or ancestry.

5 regular

Quarterly

Advises the Town Council and town administration on matters relating to the investment of operating and nonpension funds of the town.

5 elected

At the state level, West Hartford is represented by a state senator, as part of the Fifth Senatorial District which includes all of West Hartford, Farmington and Burlington, and part of Bloomfield; and three state representatives for the 18th, 19th and 20th Assembly Districts.

5 regular

3rd Tuesday of
the month. No
meetings in July
and August

Manages and controls the free public libraries of the town and may act as trustee for all property or income designated for public library purposes.

3 regular
1 appointed by
the Governor (to represent West Hartford)

1st Monday of the month

The MDC's policy making body is the 29 member Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners are appointed by their respective Town Councils, the Governor, and leaders of the General Assembly.

9 regular

As needed

Recommends to the Director of Leisure Services rules, regulations, and fees governing the use of the parks, athletic fields, playgrounds, buildings, facilities and all other properties that come under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Department.

5 regular

As needed

Makes rules and regulations for the administration of the plan which are not inconsistent with its terms and provisions.

5 regular
3 alternates

As needed

Advises the council on personnel matters and shall carry out such investigations and makes such reports as the council may direct.

2 elected, every 2 years

N/A

Voter registration and maintaining the list of voters

3 regular
3 appointed by
Board of Education

As needed

Advises the Town Council and Board of Education on matters related to the risk management program and meets with the town and school system administrations on such matters pertaining to risk management as may affect public policy.

9 regular

Quarterly

Studies the conditions and needs of elderly and retired persons in the town in regard to housing, employment, health, recreation, and their general welfare and comfort. Analyzes public and private services provided for the aged and retired.

1 elected, every 4 years

N/A

Responsible for maintaining land records, vital statistics, and all other official records relating to the Town and its citizens. Also issues various licenses, certificates, and permits.

9 regular

2nd Tuesday

Elected every two years at large and are the legislative policy setting board.

5 committees, usually 3 members each

As needed

1) Administration & Technology Committee
2) Community Planning & Physical Services Committee
3) Education Liaison Committee
4) Finance & Budget Committee
5) Government Liaison Committee

5 regular
3 alternates

1st Monday of the month

Guides the development of the community through zoning regulations and subdivision regulations.

5 regular
3 alternates

As needed

Hears and decides appeals where it is alleged that there is an error in any order, requirement, or decision made by the official charged with the enforcement of this chapter or any ordinance or regulation adopted under the provisions of this chapter.