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Date: 8/25/2021
HUNTINGTON – Administrative Assistant Jennifer Peloquin has put out a call for volunteers to serve on one of a dozen committees and boards in town with vacancies on them.
She said one of the most pressing needs for volunteers is on the Finance Committee. For the past four or five years, the Selectboard has also acted as the Finance Committee, in addition to other committees that each selectman individually serves on.
Edward Renauld for example, who chairs the Selectboard, also serves on the School Committee, on the Board of Assessors and is the Veteran’s Agent for Huntington.
“It’s time consuming, doing four town jobs. Almost every night of the week I’m busy doing something. It’s never-ending,” Renauld said, adding that he’s not the only one doing multiple jobs for the town; the majority of the people working in town are doing multiple jobs.
Renauld said he is suffering a bit from burnout. “I would like to spend more time with my kids. The work spread among more people would just make it easier for the people who are doing the work. It would give them more time for themselves,” he said.
Renauld said the Selectboard has been preparing the budgets in town for at least five years, taking on the role of the Finance Committee.
“In the past, the Finance Committee would develop a budget, the Selectboard would develop a budget, and they would meet and finalize the budget,” Renauld said, adding, “The Finance Committee is the oversight of the finances for the town. It’s the check and balance for the work of the Selectboard. We haven’t had that in a few years.”
In putting out yet another call for volunteers, Renauld said he doesn’t expect five people, a full committee, to volunteer for the Finance Committee “tomorrow.”
“I’m not expecting to all of a sudden get five people to volunteer on the Finance Committee. Even if we did, developing a municipal budget has a learning curve to it,” he said, adding that anyone coming on the committee would have to be trained.
The Finance Committee is not the only one that needs volunteers.
Peloquin said other committees in need of more members are the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and the Planning Board.
“There are two regular and one alternate seats available on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Currently, the ZBA is unable to meet due to not having a quorum,” she said, adding that the Planning Board also needs more people.
Both committees handle permits and zoning issues that need to be acted on in a timely manner, she added.
Volunteers are also needed on the Agricultural Commission, Capital Planning Committee, Community Events Committee, Green Initiative Committee, Local Historic District Commission, North Hall Advisory Committee, Recreational Committee, and Westfield River Wild & Scenic Committee.
Renauld said he understands why people may be reluctant to volunteer. “It’s hard to find people willing to spend their time for nothing. Time is a valuable resource, and I get that. Even the people in town who get paid, don’t get paid what they’re value is. Huntington can’t afford to pay what these jobs go for in larger towns, or small cities,” he said.
Renauld is nonetheless hoping that people who want to see the community move forward and to help out their neighbors, will step up and volunteer.
He said now is a good time of the year to get involved. “Now is a good time to volunteer for the town, and try out a position on one of the committees.” He said volunteers coming on board now will have nearly a year to figure out the work, and if they do find they enjoy it, they can take out papers and run in the elections in May.
Peloquin said some of the committees meet only one or twice a month, and the commitment in terms of hours is not a lot.
Those interested in serving are encouraged to contact the Selectboard office at 512-5200 or email Peloquin at admin@huntingtonma.us.