More on Boards and Commissions

Should the day come when somebody undertakes to list all the boards and commissions as required by the Civic Responsibility Act of 2005, I hope someone is around to sort the viable ones from the defunct.

For example, the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Training Program has to do with Project Alert, the residential substance abuse recovery program that the city formerly ran at Dudley House. As reported in the Courier News recently, the city-owned building now houses a non-profit agency that pays rent and operates its own program. So that board is no longer needed.

The Board of Education is listed in the Municipal Code under Boards and Commissions, harking back to the time when the mayor appointed members. It has long since been an elected board.

There is a Crime Prevention Advisory Board on the books that to my knowledge has not convened for decades, although maybe it should be revived given the current wave of shootings.

The Economic Development Committee and the Plainfield Redevelopment Agency are no longer around. The City Council has its own Economic Committee and redevelopment activities are done in-house at City Hall rather than by appointees to an autonomous agency.

The Independence Day Committee dates back to the era when eight municipalities worked together to plan the July 4th parade and other festivities. Now the city puts on its own parade and fireworks as all the former partners have stepped away.

The Local Assistance Board was no doubt of vital help for the needy at one time, but the Welfare Division was disbanded and its functions handed over to Union County some time ago.

What on earth is the Metropolitan Regional Council? Did the city really once collaborate with New York and Connecticut on shared concerns?

The Anti-Litter Committee has had no appointees for ages, though we still have plenty of litter. Ditto for the Urban Rodent and Insect Control Policy Committee. Did people actually sit around once and ponder policy on dealing with rats and roaches?

Then there is the Sewer Utility, mourned by people who wish that body, not the PMUA, was in charge of the sewers, because residents could get a tax break.

The city established an Environmental Commission in 2001, but no members were ever appointed.

Only a few very important boards and commissions are active. The ones that deserve the full attention of those wanting to serve the city are the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Board, the Historic Preservation Commission, the Cultural & Heritage Commission and a few more that meet regularly and have influence over the quality of life in Plainfield.

It would be helpful indeed to have information posted on meeting times and locations, qualifications for members and length of available terms. A volunteer could research all that and compile it for posting. Without interest from new applicants, vacancies are liable to be filled with insiders and the politically connected.

--Bernice