Bangor committee appointments off to slow start

BANGOR, Maine — With 39 openings for board and subcommittee appointments this year, Bangor had just seven applicants for the various volunteer positions as of Tuesday.

“It’s a little slow getting going,” said City Clerk Lisa Goodwin, adding that she usually has more applications by this time.

The city began accepting applications Aug. 1. The deadline for applications is Sept. 4.

The openings include 13 boards, subcommittees and commissions, including two openings on the planning board that are termed out, meaning the current members cannot be reappointed.

Planning board members Paul Bolin and John Miller are both termed out, according to city records.

Appointments are made by the City Council, which decides after 10-minute interviews with candidates usually scheduled in late September.

The council typically acts on appointments in October, and new members are sworn in in January. Appointees are considered volunteers and are not compensated for their time.

“It’s a good opportunity for people who want to get involved in local government and want to get their feet wet,” Goodwin said.

Most appointments are for three years. Applications are available on the city’s website or at the city clerk’s office at 73 Harlow St. For more information, call the city clerk’s office at 992-4219.

Current board appointments set to expire are as follows:

Board of Appeals

— Richard Petron III, regular member

— Jane French, associate member

Board of Assessment Review

— Erica Veazey, regular member

— Vacancy, associate member

Board of Ethics

— Sherry Anderson, regular member

— Alfred Banfield, regular member

— James Lyons Jr., associate member

Commission for Cultural Development