Volunteering in the town government just got easier for nearly a third of Darien's residents. According to published reports, First Selectman David Campbell and his Board of Selectmen colleagues have begun reaching out to unaffiliated residents to serve on town boards and commissions.
Normally, each party's town committee vets candidates and recommends them to the Board of Selectmen. Per state regulations, the volunteer town boards and commissions are limited on the number of representatives from one party -- four for a five-member board. This can be a problem with nearly 49 percent of Darien's voters registered Republicans, and only 19 percent Democrats.
The remaining 32 percent unaffiliated voters can apply to a party for nomination, but are considered party members when appointed. Campbell is now inviting independents to apply for positions directly.
Currently, the first selectman is looking to fill one spot on the Monuments and Ceremonies Commission and one on the South Western Regional Planning Agency. And if the Representative Town Meeting signs off on the recently created Flood and Erosion Control Board, the Board of Selectmen will have to find five volunteers for the new entity.
Anyone interested in joining town boards should contact Campbell at [email protected].
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
