The Board of Commissioners for St. Mary’s County is seeking citizens who are interested in volunteering their time in public service to the community by serving on various Boards, Committees, and Commissions. Interested citizens can pick-up an application in the St. Mary’s County Public Information Office, located on the first floor of the Potomac Building (formerly known as Governmental Center) in Leonardtown or call 301-475-4200 extension 1341. Applications and descriptions of the boards can be found on the County’s website at www.stmarysmd.com. Click on volunteer boards under the Government box. All applications must include a resume. To be considered for appointments effective January 1, 2009, applications must be submitted by Friday, October 31, 2008.

The following Boards, Committees and Commissions have existing and potential vacancies:

Adult Public Guardianship Review Board (three members can be reappointed)
To review and make recommendations to the Court regarding the continuation, modification or termination of public guardianship of disabiled adults.

Airport Advisory Committee (one member can be reappointed; one member can not be reappointed)
To advise the Board of County Commissioners and County government on future planning and development, emerging opportunities, and related issues of Airport management.

Cable Advisory Committee (one member can be reappointed)
To advise the Commissioners on matters related to the use of cable systems and facilities; to review complaint and system malfunction statistics and make any recommendations to the franchisee and Commissioners as it may find appropriate for the improvement of the system's technical operation; to make recommendations as to possible improvements in general categories of programming or service to subscribers, including matters dealing with control and operation of government, public and education access channels, and the overall operation of the system; to assist in any performance evaluation of a cable system; and to perform other duties as directed by the Commissioners.

Coastal Resource Advisory Committee (one existing vacancy)
To advise Secretary of Department of Natural Resources on coastal related matters; to guide Maryland to best use, manage, conserve, restore, and preserve its coastal area resources.

Commission for People with Disabilities (three members can not be reappointed; one existing vacancy)
To increase acceptance and full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of county life.

Commission on Aging (one member can be reappointed)
To advise and assist in the coordination of governmental programs involving the aging and deal with matters of finance, social services, housing, employment, leisure time, medical services, transportation and retirement as it affects senior citizens.

Commission on the Environment (one member can be reappointed; one member can not be reappointed)
To promote environmental awareness by research, by information gathering, and by public meetings; to involve citizens through a variety of means to affect improved community understanding; to serve as county government's official representation in matters related to the environment. As such as liaison with Federal, State and other Local Governments and with civic organizations and the general public.

Community Health Advisory Committee (five members can be reappointed; five members can not be reappointed)
To assist the Board of Health by advising the Board regarding the health problems of St. Mary’s County and assisting the Board in its responsibility to undertake “community assessment.” The committee will promote the prevention of premature death, disability, and illness by developing St. Mary’s County community health policies for recommendation to the Board. The role of the Board of Health is to support the committee, by providing the resources if needed by the committee to undertake the work, and by facilitating the planning process.

Development Review Forum (one member can be reappointed)
To oversee the implementation of the subdivision streamlining report as prepared by Environmental Resources Management, Inc.; to investigate additional improvements to the subdivision and development review process; establish review time targets and evaluate agency performance in meeting those targets; serve as a forum to review concerns and new needs through time; and to report annually to the Board of County Commissioners on progress and additional recommendations for improvements.

Ethics Commission (one existing vacancy)
To be the advisory body responsible for interpreting the St. Mary's County Public Ethics Ordinance and advise persons subject to it as to its application; to be responsible for hearing and deciding any complaint filed regarding an alleged violation of the Ordinance; to be the custodian of all statements, registrations, reports, and complaints submitted in accordance with the Ordinance; and to be responsible for conducting information and education programs regarding the purpose and implementation of the Ordinance.

Historic Preservation Commission (one member can be reappointed)
To assist in the identification and designation of historic districts within St. Mary's County in accordance with the St. Mary's County Zoning Ordinance.

Housing Authority Board (one existing vacancy)
To assist in the acquisition, lease and operation of housing projects and programs in the county and to investigate the living conditions and the means of improving such conditions.

Metropolitan Commission (two members can be reappointed; one member can not be reappointed)
To provide the Commission with a wide range of authority necessary for the operations of the public water and sewer system within the County.

Plumbing Board (one existing vacancy)
To execute or to cause to be executed all the provisions of the St. Mary's County Plumbing Code.

Recreation and Parks Board (one member can not be reappointed)
To preside over a comprehensive program of public recreation, including establishment, operation, and maintenance of a system of public parks throughout St. Mary's County.

Rural Preservation District Task Force (one existing vacancy)
To make recommendations regarding effectively protecting land in the Rural Preservation District (RPD) that is of great agricultural and/or environmental value. One tool the task force is studying is development of an agriculture overlay (zone). The task force is also looking at alternative permissible land uses in rural areas by which land owners may supplement agricultural income.

Social Services Board (five existing vacancies)
To deal with policy, programs and problems of the local Department of Social Services and Public Assistance Administration.

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau (one member can be reappointed; two existing vacancies)
To assist in preventing youth in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties from becoming involved or re-involved with the Juvenile Justice System (Juvenile Services Administration, the police, and the courts).

Wicomico River Commission (one existing vacancy)
To advise the County on the stewardship of the Wicomico River Watershed and to further the aims of the Scenic and Wild Rivers Act and to serve as an advocate for the wise use and management of the Wicomico River Zekiah Swamp and their resources.

Wicomico Shores Golf Course Advisory Board (two members can be reappointed)
To advise the Board of County Commissioners and County Government on future planning and development, fees, policies and related issues of Golf Course management.

Zoning Board of Appeals (two members can be reappointed; two members can not be reappointed)

To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative official in the enforcement of this article or of any ordinance adopted pursuant thereto; to hear and decide special exceptions to the terms of the ordinance upon which board is required to pass under such ordinances; and to authorize upon appeal in specific cases a variance from the terms of the ordinance.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 301-475-4200 ext. 1341.