Boards, Commissions, & Committees Vacancies

Press Release – January 17, 2023

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

The Town of Pound Ridge is an active community with an energetic volunteer spirit. Participation in local government through service on a board or commission can be a rewarding experience for residents and an excellent way to meet new people while contributing to the successful operation and development of our Town.

Residents interested in learning more about the functioning of their local government are invited to attend public meetings posted on the Town’s monthly calendar to share their insights. Enthusiastic volunteers interested in taking a more active role by serving on a board or commission are encouraged to review the descriptions of current vacancies posted below.
 
“This is a great opportunity for residents to get involved and have a positive and direct effect on the quality of life and economic vitality of Pound Ridge,” says Town Supervisor Kevin Hansan. “Our wonderful volunteers provide important public service to the Town and help us make Pound Ridge an even better place to live, work, and visit!”
 
The following boards and commissions currently have vacancies: 

Conservation Board - 2-year term; 2 vacancies
Economic Development Committee - 3-year term; 2 vacancies
Landmarks & Historic District Commission - 3-year term; 1 vacancy
Open Space Acquisitions Committee - 1-year term; 2 vacancies
Water/Wastewater Task Force - 1-year term; 1 vacancy

The Conservation Board was established in 1973 to advise in the management and protection of Pound Ridge’s natural resources. It provides information and guidance to residents, Town officials, and others regarding the long term and sustainable use of the Town’s water, wildlife habitats, semi-rural character, scenic beauty and aesthetic appeal. Each of the nine members is appointed to a 2-year term. The Board meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:15 pm at the Town House.

The Economic Development Committee (EDC) The mission of the EDC is to promote, encourage, and support local businesses in Pound Ridge and make Pound Ridge an economically vibrant community where people work, shop, dine, and enjoy services and recreation in Pound Ridge. This will be accomplished by involving established business organizations, Town Government Boards and Commissions, and Town residents. Committee members are charged with recommending a comprehensive strategy to the Town Board to: 

1. Promote coordination and communication between and among: Residents, Local Businesses, Town Government, Town boards and commissions, other towns.
2. Coordinate Community Calendar to share content about town. activities that could promote commerce in our local business district.
3. Assist in the development of branding and active marketing to promote Pound Ridge small businesses and the Scotts Corners business district.
4. Recommend guidelines for the aesthetics of the Scotts Corners business district.
5. Recruit businesses and services to Pound Ridge which support the brand and as desired by residents.
6. Interact with and encourage existing and prospective business owners to develop a more vibrant business community.
7. Update the Town’s website about the Pound Ridge Economic Development Committee and its services.
8. Deliver a report detailing the progress made towards promoting, encouraging, and supporting local businesses in Pound Ridge annually to the Town Board.

The Landmarks & Historic District Commission is dedicated to preserving the qualities of its visible landmarked & historic buildings so that residents and visitors alike can cherish the character for which Pound Ridge is known. The Commission assists home owners who wish to designate their historic home or property as a Pound Ridge Landmark. It is a resource for those contemplating alterations to their historic or landmarked home and helps guide them to choices sympathetic to the building’s original style. The Commission strives to balance the needs of owners of landmarked properties with preservation goals working with the applicants in the spirit of cooperation. The members meet the third Tuesday of each month at the Town House.

The Town Board formed the Open Space Acquisitions Committee (OSAC) in 2001, following the approval by town voters in November 2000 of an open space ballot proposition that created a special property tax levy, with the funds earmarked for the purchase of open space. Almost 20 years ago, the committee developed its first set of criteria and a rating system for evaluating properties, emphasizing the protection of water quality, wildlife habitat, community character, and passive recreation. At that time, the Town, Planning and Conservation Boards reviewed and approved the criteria and rating system. A list of priority parcels was created and now, 20 years later, many of those properties have been protected through various efforts.

With Geographic Information Systems (GIS) now routinely applied to establish conservation priority areas, a reconstituted OSAC started its work in 2021 to learn and apply GIS overlay and field data including the Town’s recently completed NRI (Natural Resource Inventory) to establish a new set of criteria for the protection of priority lands. These lands connect habitat, forest canopy, watersheds and wetlands into a mosaic of ecologically critical lands that store and sequester carbon and support healthy, human life, wildlife and flora, as well as provide opportunities for passive recreation.

Committee members learn to apply new tools and through group deliberation, create critical value ratings for land and natural systems both in Town and those that connect ecosystems beyond Town borders. Specific corridors and parcels will be identified for future protection.

The Water/Wastewater Task Force (WWTF) is seeking a new member with experience in marketing, awareness/education campaigns, and/or social media outreach. Skills in grant writing and public relations are highly desired. The team is dedicated to assisting the Town of Pound Ridge in creating a long-term wastewater solution for the Scotts Corners Business District. Meeting frequency will be determined by the co-chairs depending on the work load. 

More information about boards and commissions can be found on the Town’s website. Residents interested in being considered for a board or commission are invited to submit a CV and short letter of interest to Chief of Staff Nicole Engel at chiefofstaff@townofpoundridge.com.

Press Contact:
Nicole Engel, Chief of Staff
914-764-3986
chiefofstaff@townofpoundridge.com