How you can become a Carpentersville decision maker

There are a number of opportunities for Carpentersville residents to get involved in with the village's decision-making process with various committees and commissions now seeking new members.

The village's planning and zoning commission, needs one person to fill a term that expires in December 2013. The planning and zoning commission is a seven-member commission that serves in an advisory capacity to the village board on matters including special permits and variations for all construction projects, planned unit developments and subdivisions. On occasion, the planning and zoning commission makes final determinations.

If planning and zoning is not your cup of tea, the village's improvement committee is also looking for a few good men and women to fill empty seats. The committee serves as a resource, adviser, and recommending body to the Village President and board of trustees on matters pertaining to neighborhood improvement; assisting the Community Development Department with activities that promote residential and commercial property care; and encouraging and enlisting resident volunteers to help achieve neighborhood improvement goals.

The improvement committee also consists of seven members and the term of office is two years unless the appointment is to fill an unexpired term.

The park commission, which oversees the policies of parks that are owned and operated by the village, meets monthly and helps in the organization of events including the fall cyclocross race in Carpenter Park. The term of office for a non-trustee position is two years.

The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is a three-member group that conducts competitive entry level and promotional examinations for sworn nonexempt positions in the fire and police departments. The members also make appointments to entry level and nonexempt promotional positions in the fire and police departments based on the results of such competitive examinations, and addresses disciplinary matters within its purview. The position is a three-year term that expires May 31, 2013.

If you are interested in applying for any of these open positions, send a letter of interest to Village President Ed Ritter, 1200 LW Besinger Dr., Carpentersville, 60110 at your earliest convenience.

The deadline for the police and fire commission appointment is June 22, 2010.