County seeks residents for boards, committees

Friday, July 3, 2009

Applications are available on the county government Web site at www.charlescounty.org/apps/workgroups/publicview/ or by contacting Denise Ferguson at 301-645-0554 or fergusod@charlescounty.org.

Applications must be submitted no later than July 6.

Housing Commission of Charles County

There are two vacancies on the seven-member Housing Commission of Charles County, which meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. It ensures the availability of safe, sanitary and decent housing for people with low and moderate incomes in Charles County. Both vacancies are for residents to serve unexpired five-year terms ending Sept. 30, 2011, and Sept. 30, 2012.

Gaming Permit Review Board

There is one vacancy on the Gaming Permit Review Board for a four-year term ending June 30, 2013. The Gaming Permit Review Board accepts and reviews applications for permits for gaming events in Charles County and recommends approval or disapproval to the county commissioners. The board meets quarterly on the first Monday of the month before the quarter begins.

Nuisance Abatement Board

There is one vacancy on the seven-member Nuisance Abatement Board, which conducts hearings pertaining to citizen complaints regarding unsightly accumulation of paper, junk, vehicle parts etc. The vacancy is for a resident to serve a four-year term ending June 30, 2013.

Homeowners' Association Dispute Review Board

There are two vacancies on the seven-member Homeowners' Association Dispute Review Board, which meets as needed to hear and resolve disputes between a homeowners association and a homeowner regarding the covenants or restrictions of the homeowners association. Terms are three years. One vacancy is for a resident involved in housing development and real estate sales, and one vacancy is for a resident who is a member of a profession associated with common ownership communities or investor-owners of units in common ownership communities.

Board of Social Services

There are four vacancies on the Board of Social Services. One vacancy is for an unexpired four-year term ending June 30, 2012, and three vacancies are for four-year terms ending June 30, 2013. The board deals with policies, programs and problems of the local Department of Social Services and public assistance administration.

Grants Advisory Panel

There are four vacancies on the seven-member/one-alternate member Grants Advisory Panel. The panel reviews applications for the grants awarded by the county commissioners and makes recommendations to the county commissioners regarding the amount and type of funding to be awarded. The vacancies are for two-year terms ending June 30, 2011.

Adult Public Guardianship Review Board

The Adult Public Guardianship Review Board has a vacancy for a public health nurse to serve a four-year term. The board provides oversight of the care and services provided for the individuals under public guardianship, reviews their current status of health and welfare and makes recommendations as to whether guardianship should be continued as established, modified or terminated.

Charles County Tax Assessment Appeal Board

The commissioners are seeking persons interested in membership on the Charles County Tax Assessment Appeal Board. The commissioners nominate members who must be approved by the governor. The board hears appeals from Charles County property owners who disagree with the values assessed by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, and appeals concerning local tax credits, local taxes and other local tax matters. The board meets approximately one to two times per month on Wednesdays. Terms are five years. Those interested in nomination must contact the clerk to the county commissioners to obtain an Office of the Governor request for appointment consideration biographical information form.

Planning and Growth Management Advisory Board

The Charles County Planning and Growth Management Advisory Board (formerly the commissioners' task force) has vacancies in the following membership categories: State Health Department, other state agencies/departments, chamber of commerce, a citizen at large, commercial developer, residential developer, industrial developer, contractor, engineer/surveyor, homeowners association, building industry association, real estate agent, planner, lawyer, agriculture, environmental and education. Members serve four-year terms. The PGM Advisory Board reviews programs, policies and procedures related to the Department of Planning and Growth Management's responsibilities and makes recommendations to the commissioners.

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau

The Tri-County Youth Services Bureau has three vacancies. The purpose of the bureau is to promote good behavior and prevent young people from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties from getting in trouble with the law. Membership to the board is encouraged from law enforcement agencies, Department of Social Services, health department and the educational system. Terms are three years. The board meets monthly on Wednesday evenings.

Human Services Partnership Board

The Human Services Partnership Board has four vacancies for citizen/consumer members. Consumer means a family member of a child who is receiving or has received family preservation services or out-of-home placement services from a publicly funded agency or an adult who, as a child, received family preservation services, out-of-home placement services or participated in publicly funded mental health services. The Human Services Partnership carries out the responsibilities of the Local Management Board, makes sure local programs run as inexpensively and efficiently as possible, and holds agencies that provide services to county residents accountable for their actions. Terms are three years.

Wicomico Scenic River Commission

There are two vacancies on the Wicomico Scenic River Commission. One vacancy is for a shoreline property owner and one vacancy is for a nonshoreline property owner. The commission represents the interests of the Wicomico Scenic River and its watershed in Charles and St. Mary's counties in an advisory capacity for review of proposals and information, and acts as a watchdog for the watershed.

Sheriff Disability Review Board

There is a vacancy on the Sheriff Disability Review Board for a general practice doctor member. The board is tasked with accepting and reviewing applications in accordance with the sheriff disability pension plan and making a determination as to the extent of disability and benefit payment in accordance with the plan. The board meets only when applications are received. Members serve four-year terms.