The town of Gray needs help – volunteer help. To keep down the costs of staff and consultants, Gray depends on volunteers for committee work.

There are openings every year as appointments expire. At the moment, there are 50 positions that the Town Council should be filling in August – but will we have at least 50 applications from which to choose? A few past volunteers may reapply, but most will not.

Consider two of the committees for which I am liaison, the library board of trustees and the Dry Mills Schoolhouse committee.

The library board sets library policy, and composes plans and proposals for the future of the library. Perhaps you appreciate story hour for the children. Or, for adults, you look forward each year to the banned books exhibit. Maybe you have heard of the “Freedom to Read” and want to show your support. The board of trustees can use you.

The Dry Mills Schoolhouse committee works to preserve our schoolhouse museum and to provide educational tours. This committee is in critical need of volunteers to prevent this town treasure from neglect. Past members have worked to secure it, new members are needed to ensure its continuing place in our future.

But there are many more opportunities. If you want to preserve open space, join the recreation and conservation committee. If you want to make improvements in traffic, join the public safety committee.

If you are an attorney, we need your volunteer time on the ordinance review committee. If you are in banking, join the finance committee.

The Town Council rules list the responsibilities of the committees. Some additional tasks appear in the comprehensive plan. Drop in on a committee meeting if you want to know more. Meetings are public, and subject to the Right to Know law.

Town council members may participate in committee meetings

but cannot vote in them. Although the council may set a goal for a committee, each committee votes on how to proceed or what to write in a report.

Yes, it is harder to do the actual work with a positive outlook than it is to grumble about something not getting done. But this is one of the biggest opportunities for the public to get involved in its town government, save some tax money, and accomplish something for a good cause.

You can fill out an application online, or mail it in. I look forward to reading it.

Mark D. Grover

Gray Town Council

428-3372

mdgrover@graymaine.org