By Tom Momberg
Borough President Melinda Katz is making a call for community board member applications.
The 14 community boards throughout Queens hold hearings to engage public dialogue on land use and zoning proposals in their respective neighborhoods, and issue recommendations on the city budget and municipal services.
Each board is made up of about 30 to 40 members and covers multiple neighborhoods in a geographical area of the borough. Applicants must live within the boundaries of the community board to which they apply.
Applications for current community board members who are reaching the end of their two-year appointed term is Friday, Jan. 22. All new applicants must submit a detailed application found at www.queen
Original applications must be notarized and mailed or handed in to the new director of community boards, Vicky Morales Casella.
Applications are reviewed and evaluated by an independent screening panel, and the borough president’s office staff interview applicants based on the panel’s recommendations.
“Serving on a community board is a significant commitment, demanding in both time and energy,” Katz said in a statement. “Any civic-minded resident willing to make this commitment is encouraged to consider applying. All candidates—both new applicants and those re-applying for an additional term—are evaluated based on the relevant experiences they bring to the table.”
For all appointments, the next two-year term for unsalaried community board members is slated to begin April 1. Currently, there are vacancies on every community board in Queens.
Katz has said it is very important when she and her office review potential candidates, that applicants identify with the neighborhood in which they live, and be able to show a vested interest in serving their community.
In addition to the commitment to attend monthly meetings, community board members have committee assignments, within which members deliberate about environmental, zoning, land use, health and other concerns in their communities.
Reach reporter Tom Momberg by e-mail at tmomb
