South Kingstown Seeks Public Service Applicants

The South Kingstown Town Council is seeking applications from the citizens of South Kingstown for consideration of appointment as members of the following boards and commissions:

Conservation Commission 

The advisory duties of the Conservation Commission are: 

• to promote and develop natural resources to protect watershed resources, and to preserve natural aesthetic areas, to conduct research into local land areas and to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes;
• to recommend to the Town Council and to other municipal boards and agencies a program for better promotion, development, utilization or preservation of open areas, streams, shores, wooded areas, roadsides, swamps, marshlands and natural aesthetic areas;
• to work with organizations such as, but not limited to, the South Kingstown Land Trust toward the goals of natural resource protection and open space designation. 

Economic Development Committee

The Committee shall pursue the following goals: 

• encourage the attraction and expansion of industrial and commercial development which is consistent with environmental policies and standards established in the Community Comprehensive Plan and in Town ordinances and regulations; 
• develop site criteria for new business development and expansion of existing firms; 
• review specific locations that are most suitable to nonresidential development; 
• recommend strategies to enhance local conditions favorable to the promotion of responsible economic growth; 
• identify potential cooperative ventures with the University of Rhode Island to stimulate commercial and industrial development; 
• research federal and state economic development funding assistance programs and services. 

The appointment is for five members to fill two terms to expire in March, 2014 and three terms to expire in March, 2016. 

Historic District Commission 

• The Historic District Commission reviews plans that affect the exterior or location of structures within any historic district within the Town. 
• The Commission meets quarterly. 

• The Project Area Committee for the Reconstruction of Route 138 serves as an advisory body to the Town Council on matters concerning the planning, design and construction of Route 138 by the RI Department of Transportation. 

South Kingstown Partnership for Prevention

• This Commission is charged to lead the Town of South Kingstown in substance abuse prevention activities by using a variety of strategies and resources in partnership with multiple, specifically required sectors of the community to design and control a multitude of prevention programs. 
• The SKPP Commission members will also be involved in the broader defined SKPP Coalition that is designed in accordance with guidelines outlined in both State and Federal Substance Abuse and Prevention grant funding programs. 
• The SKPP is structured to receive funding from numerous sources included those at the Local, State and Federal governmental levels as well as other private For-Profit and Non-Profit Trusts and Foundations. 
• The Commission is to be comprised of seven voting members serving three year terms and various Ex-Officio representatives including one Law Enforcement, one Parks and Recreation, one School, one Student and two Town Council representatives. 

South Kingstown Affordable Housing Collaborative

• The Collaborative is an advisory committee to the Town Council and Planning Board. 
• The general purpose of the committee is to assist the Town Council in overseeing the implementation of and advocate for affordable housing measures identified in the South Kingstown Affordable Housing Production Plan, a component of the South Kingstown Comprehensive Community Plan. 
• The Collaborative also provides input to the Town administration regarding issues and programs relating to the provision and/or retention of affordable housing within South Kingstown. 
• In addition, the Collaborative acts as a local resource for the community relative to affordable housing issues, particularly in regard to educating the general public about affordable housing needs in South Kingstown. 

Trustees of the South Kingstown School Funds

• The Trustees of the South Kingstown School Funds manage eight separate education-related trust funds. 
• The Trustees are charged to make an annual report to the Town in regard to the funds, and transfer income arising from the funds to the Town in an orderly fashion. 
• The Trustees meet at least once a year to review all fund performances, and members of this committee should have a strong financial management background to insure proper management of the portfolio.

Waterfront Advisory Commission

• The Commission serves as an advisory body to the Town Council on matters concerning the maintenance and development of the Town’s property in the coastal zone and the management of recreational and commercial waterfront activities, the preservation of existing shoreline access and the expansion of both physical access and visual and scenic enjoyment of the shoreline by the public. 

Town Council Rules of Commission, Committee and Board Appointment procedures and the applications filed for each commission, committee and board are available for public review in the Town Clerk’s Office during normal business hours.

Interested parties can download the application form attached to this article, or may click here to access the Town's website.

Applications may be sent to:

South Kingstown Town Council Town Clerk’s Office 

180 High Street 

Wakefield, RI 02879