The Citizen Service Act

In 2009, the New Jersey State Legislature enacted the Citizen Service Act, which requires all municipalities to follow a uniform process to allow all citizens an equal opportunity and manner in which to express their interest in serving on local boards, commissions and committees. Any person interested in serving on a municipal board, commission or committee must file a Volunteer Application Form with the Borough Clerk to start the process.

Once an appointment is made, the newly appointed volunteer is required to take an oath of office for that specific position. Under previous law, individuals were only required to take the general oath of office. The law further permits the oath of office to be administered by the chairperson of a board or commission, Borough Clerk, or by any other person authorized under law to administer oaths (N.J.S.A. 41:2-1). All oaths of office are filed with the Borough Clerk.

The Citizen Service Act further requires the Borough Clerk to maintain a directory individuals appointed to each of the boards, commissions and committees. The directory includes the number of members or positions; a list of currently appointed members, along with their terms of office; vacancies; general frequency of meetings; the appointing authority, and enabling statute, ordinance or resolution that describes the entity and responsibilities of the members.

Lastly, the Citizen Services Act amended the law that determines when a position becomes vacant due to unexcused absences. A position can now to be declared vacant when a member is absent from meeting for 8 consecutive weeks, or 4 consecutive regular meetings, whichever is longer.

Boards, Commissions and Advisory Committees

Please consider serving on any of the public bodies listed below. Submit a completed Volunteer Application Form to the Borough Clerk’s office at clerk@chathamborough.org or stop by Borough Hall. Visit the Commissions & Committees webpage to learn more about these volunteer opportunities. After you submit your application, you will be contacted.

Boards and Commissions

• Board of Health
• Board of Trustees of the Library
• Environmental Commission
• Historic Preservation Commission
• Planning Board
• Shade Tree Commission
• Zoning Board of Adjustment

Advisory Committees

• Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
• Economic Development Advisory Committee
• Chatham Joint Community Garden Advisory Committee
• Chatham Joint Recreation Advisory Committee
• Communications & Technology Advisory Committee
• Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee * [non-residents are welcome]
• Historic Riverside Trail Advisory Committee
• Mayors' Wellness Advisory Committee * [non-residents are welcome]
• Municipal Alliance Committee of the Chathams
• MyChathamNJ Advisory Committee
• Open Space & Historic Preservation Trust Advisory Committee
• Public Arts Council (Advisory Committee)
• Recreation Advisory Committee
• Senior Citizens Advisory Committee
• Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee
• Tree Plan Advisory Committee
• 9/11 Memorial Advisory Committee