Village Seeks Volunteers to Serve on Boards and Councils

The Personnel Committee of the Village Board of Trustees has announced vacancies on the following Boards, Councils and Committees:

• Cable Television Commission
• Conservation Advisory Council
• Committee for Historic Preservation
• Council on People with Disabilities
• Advisory Council on Human Relations
• Scarsdale Arts Council

Trustee Jane Veron, Chair of the Personnel Committee, encourages residents to apply for these positions by submitting their names, together with a listing of community service and relevant professional background. It is also helpful for Scarsdale residents to recommend other residents for consideration. Please submit contact information including email addresses. The information may be submitted in one of two ways:

Via the Village Website – At www.scarsdale.com, click "read more" under:
* Volunteers Needed for Boards and Councils (located under Village News on the home page). On the next screen, complete the on-line application form under "Boards and Councils Applications" and follow the on-screen instructions.
Via Village Hall – Applications should be forwarded to Trustee Jane Veron at Village Hall, 1001 Post Road, Scarsdale NY 10583.

Residents should feel free to contact the Village Clerk, Donna Conkling at 914-722-1175 or via e-mail [email protected] for further information.

Pursuant to the general policy adopted by the Village Board, guidelines for membership on Scarsdale's appointed Boards, Councils and Committees cover four areas:

1. Residency: Boards, Committees and Advisory Councils are comprised of residents of the Village. While comments from outside the community can be sought as needed, actions recommended or taken by Boards, Committees and Advisory Councils should ultimately reflect the views of Village residents.

2. Professional or Business Affiliation: Various professional skills and training are required by Village law or deemed desirable by the Village Board of Trustees for the successful fulfillment of some Board, Council or Committee charters.

3. Civic Interest and Involvement: The majority of the members of Village Boards and Councils are appointed by reason of demonstrated interest in Village affairs, through volunteer involvement. Scarsdale is the beneficiary of a long history of voluntary civic endeavors. Since the overriding purpose of Boards, Committees and Councils is to assure the continuation of high community standards, it is appropriate that members on Boards, Committees and Councils be those residents who have demonstrated willingness and initiative to work in support of this objective.

4. Specialized Knowledge: Certain Boards, Committees and Councils benefit by having one or more members with specialized knowledge. For example, the Land Use Boards (Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and Board of Architectural Review) benefits from the services of residents with a background in architecture, architectural design or engineering; the Cable Television Commission benefits by having people with knowledge of the communications industry; the Advisory Council on People With Disabilities benefits from the experience of residents with disabilities; the Advisory Council on Youth benefits from people who have worked with young people; and the Advisory Council on Parks and Recreation benefits from having a parent active in the Recreation Department's Elementary School Sports Program.

Applications should be made in writing and should include information on the candidates' civic involvement, work experience or other qualifications in sufficient detail to help the Village Board evaluate the prospective candidate. Applications should be submitted via the Village website or sent to Trustee Jane Veron at Village Hall, 1001 Post Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

The following are the terms of office, and responsibilities for members appointed to the aforementioned Boards, Councils and Committees:

CABLE TELEVISION COMMISSION - (5 years, open-ended terms) Works with the Village's Cable Coordinator to develop interesting and creative public access programming for Scarsdale Public Television (SPTV -- channels 42/76) and Scarsdale Government Television (SGTV -- channels 43/75). Assists with the training of volunteers and works within the Scarsdale Community to raise awareness and increase resident participation. Advises the Village Board of Trustees with regard to cable television policy. Negotiates the renewal of cable franchise agreements with cable providers. Commissioners are expected to attend monthly meetings.

CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL - (2 years, open-ended terms). Advises the Village Board on such matters as programs, areas, facilities, public relations and other matters pertaining to environmental sustainability. The Conservation Advisory Council is currently engaged in a
study regarding the appropriate design and installations of solar panels in residential zoning districts.

COMMITTEE FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION - (3 years, two terms). Determines if a structure located in the Village for which a permit for demolition has been requested is a structure of historical importance.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES - (2 years, open-ended terms). Advises and assists the Village Board in matters of concern to residents with disabilities. Assists with programs and activities, increases public awareness of the needs of the disabled, acts as liaison with other Advisory Councils and promotes participation in community affairs by disabled persons.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HUMAN RELATIONS - (2 years, open-ended terms). Considers and recommends actions at the request of the Village Board to foster mutual respect and understanding among all members of the community.

REPRESENTATIVE TO SCARSDALE ARTS COUNCIL - (2 years, open-ended terms). At-large representative (total of 4 appointed by the Mayor) to the Scarsdale Arts Council Board. The Council's mission is to encourage the arts to flourish in Scarsdale by, among other methods, improving communication among arts programs and by attracting grant support and to raise public awareness and participation in the arts.