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Boards & Commissions
The Town of Hamden has over 34 volunteer boards and commissions with over 275 citizen volunteers participating. These boards have been created either by town charter, town ordinance or state statute. They have three, four, five or six-year terms of appointment, created by expiration of appointment, or vacancies created by resignation, moving out of town or death. You can be re-appointed to a board and commission.
Commission Calendars:
For a complete list of Commissions and scheduled meetings for the year 2022, please refer to the follow schedules.
How to Apply
Write a letter of interest addressed to:
Karimah Mickens, Town Clerk
Hamden Government Center
2750 Dixwell Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
kmickens@hamden.com or townclerk@hamden.com
Please attach a current resume of your life’s experience, work and education as well as any civic activities you have participated in Hamden or elsewhere. In short, a thumbnail sketch of yourself. If you do not have a resume, include this information in your letter.
Upon receiving your letter, the resume is forwarded to the Mayor for consideration of appointment. Per Hamden Charter 5-5: "The Mayor shall nominate an individual and submit the nomination to the Legislative Council, which shall approve or disapprove the Mayor’s selection." Sending in a resume does not guarantee a seat on a commission.
Requirements
You must be a resident elector of the town of Hamden; i.e., a registered voter in Hamden to participate per the Town Charter.
Vacancies
Current vacancies / open positions on Hamden's Boards and Commissions can be viewed here: 2023 Boards & Commissions Vacancies.
Freedom of Information
Under Connecticut Freedom of information law, the public is entitled to obtain records and attend meetings of all public agencies - with certain limited exemptions:
- Meetings must be open to the public, except certain limited situations.
- You may inspect public records during regular office hours. However, copies, printouts and transcripts should be requested in writing.
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas and minutes of Hamden’s Boards and Commissions are available in the Town Clerk’s office. Agendas are available 24 hours prior to the meeting, and minutes should be available 7 days after the public meeting.
Contact Us
If you have any questions concerning your rights under the Freedom of Information Act, contact the Freedom of Information Commission.
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Arts Commission
Our founding ordinance of 1981 stipulates our mission: “to stimulate, facilitate, coordinate and cooperate with existing organizations for the development of the arts. It shall serve as an information center and focal point in the community for activities in the arts.”
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Board of Assessment Appeals
This Board’s purpose is to hear taxpayer appeals regarding the valuation of taxable property.
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Board of Ethics
The Board of Ethics was established in 1969 with the purpose of adopting ethical standards for all town officials and employees.
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Building Board of Appeals
The purpose of the Building Board of Appeals is to serve as an appellate board to owners whose mode or manner of construction in creating or altering a building has been rejected by the building official's approval.
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Cable Television Advisory Council
Established in 1990, the Cable Television Advisory Council represents cable television viewers in Hamden, New Haven and West Haven.
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Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission provides means for selecting and promoting each public official and employee based upon the sole basis of proven ability to perform the duties of the office or employment more efficiently than any other candidate.
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Clean & Green Commission
The mission of the Clean & Green Commission is to promote and encourage the use of environmentally responsible actions and strategies throughout Hamden while improving the physical appearance of the Town through education, beautification, tree planting, landscaping, prevention of litter, blight and improper property maintenance, and the enforcement of ordinance pertaining to these matters.
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Community Development Citizens Advisory Commission
This commission's responsibility is to make recommendations to and advise the Economic and Community Development Department with regard to the operation and funding of the Community Development Block Grant program.
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Disability Rights and Opportunities
The Hamden Commission on Disability Rights and Opportunities is under taking the task of making Hamden a more disability friendly Town by understanding the needs of those living with a disability and improving their living environment.
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Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission is charged with ensuring that Hamden remains a competitive business location, encouraging the retention and expansion of existing businesses, bringing new businesses to Hamden, encouraging the redevelopment and reuse of obsolete or distresses properties, and assisting in the redemption or redevelopment of contaminated industrial commercial sites.
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Energy Use & Climate Change Commission
The Hamden Energy Use & Climate Change Commission was formed to help our town reduce its energy footprint in the interest of reducing its impact on Global Warming, and to assist the town in making wise investments in terms of energy use and efficiency in the interest of saving the town money.
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Fair Rent Commission
The Fair Rent Commission controls and eliminates what is determined to be excessive rental charges on residential property within the Town of Hamden.
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Farmington Canal Commission
This commission is involved in the procurement, completion and oversight of the Farmington Canal project.
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Finance Commission
The Finance Commission shall have the authority to exercise the powers and duties exclusively set forth in the Charter and Ordinances and such incidental powers as may be reasonably necessary to enable it to investigate and determine those matters of fiscal policy of the Town as are within its direct jurisdiction and responsibility. Said responsibilities shall include budget preparation and oversight; reporting function; collective bargaining agreements; pensions; long-term financial and capital planning; and standards and policies. Please see the Annotated Charter of the Town of Hamden Connecticut adopted November 8, 2022 for more information.
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Fire Commission
The mission of the Hamden Fire Commission is to assist the Fire Department in ensuring that the citizens of the Town have the best possible fire service.
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Historic Properties Commission
Founded in 2004, the mission of the Historic Properties Commission is to encourage the preservation and restoration of historic, cultural, artistic and natural sites throughout Hamden.
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Human Rights & Relations Commission
The mission of the Commission on Human Rights and Relations is to facilitate respect, discourse, education and understanding in the Hamden community relating to the backgrounds and identities of its members, and to eradicate prejudice and discrimination on an arbitrary basis.
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Human Services Commission
The Hamden Human Services Commission was created to identify, provide advisement, and to formulate human service needs for the departments of elderly, youth and community services in the Town of Hamden. In addition, the Commission is also responsible for developing a comprehensive plan for the delivery of these human services.
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Inland Wetlands Commission
The Inland Wetlands Commission is responsible for reviewing applications that may impact a wetland or watercourse.
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Library Board
The Library Board oversees the Town’s library system that includes the Miller Memorial Central Library and two branches: the Whitneyville Branch and the Louise A. Brundage Community Branch Library.
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Natural Resources & Open Space Commission
The central mission of the Natural Resources and Open Space Advisory is to protect, preserve and enhance the natural resources and environmental quality of the Town of Hamden.
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Parks & Recreation Commission
Dedication to improving recreational activities for all Hamden residents at all ages with a commitment to the Town of Hamden is the Park and Recreation Commissions central mission.
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Planning & Zoning Commission
The Planning and Zoning Commission is responsible for land use planning and coordinated development of the Town in accordance with the Town Charter, the Plan of Conservation and Development, and State Statutes.
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Police Chief Search Committee
This committee aims to create and bolster transparency and accountability throughout the input process for recommendations in the hiring of the Town of Hamden’s next Chief of Police.
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Police Commission
The Commission confers with and advises the Mayor and the Chief of Police with respect to Police Department affairs, including review of the budget.
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Retirement Board
Find information about the Retirement Board.
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Solid Waste & Recycling Commission
The Town of Hamden Solid Waste and Recycling Commission was created in April 1999. By ordinance, its overall mission is to formulate recommendations concerning the solid waste management and recycling needs of the Town.
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Technology Commission
The mission of the Hamden Technology Commission is to deploy new technologies which will provide citizens with improved interaction with town government and achieve efficiencies in governmental operations.
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Town Center Park Commission
The Town Center Park Commission was established to maintain and protect the area known as Town Center Park, formerly known as Meadowbrook.
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Traffic Authority
Citizens, neighborhood associations, schools, organizations, and businesses bring traffic concern and requests for street signs, lights, or street closings for parades, charity, and neighborhood events to the Commission for considerations, investigation, and action.
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Tree Commission
The mission of the Hamden Tree Commission is to promote the conservation and stewardship of a healthy, safe, and vibrant tree canopy within the Town of Hamden.
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Veterans Commission
The Veterans Commission shall advise the Mayor and Town Departments regarding the service needs of veterans, public educational programs, and events regarding the history and commemoration of veterans, as well as the preservation of veteran monuments and memorials.
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Zoning Board of Appeals
The duties and powers of the Zoning Board of Appeals are strictly governed by Connecticut General Statutes. Its foremost responsibility is to review requests for variances from the Zoning Regulations.