By serving on a Town Committee/Commission/Board you'll make a valuable contribution to the community of Arlington and meet other residents who share similar interests. Even if you cannot serve on a committee all Arlington residents are welcome to attend any of the many committee meetings held. You can view upcoming meetings and events here.
All committee positions are volunteer. 

Arlington Redevelopment Board

The Town seeks candidates for a vacancy on the Arlington Redevelopment Board (ARB) that will be open in February 2026. Residents with experience in land use planning, municipal zoning, or urban design or architecture are encouraged to apply to serve. The ARB is a volunteer board: four members are appointed by the Town Manager with approval by the Select Board and one member is a Gubernatorial appointee. The ARB is the Town’s planning board, urban renewal authority, and special permit granting authority for Environmental Design Review. The ARB typically meets two Monday evenings per month. Please mail or email a resume and letter of interest by December 18th to Claire Ricker, Secretary ex-officio, Arlington Redevelopment Board and Director of Planning & Community Development, 730 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476 at cricker@town.arlington.ma.us. For more information, contact Claire Ricker at cricker@town.arlington.ma.us.

Park and Recreation Commission

The Town is seeking to fill one vacancy on the Park and Recreation Commission for an associate member. The Park and Recreation Commission actively works to garner input from residents to guide in the improvement and rehabilitation of the Town's Parks. The commission works to provide access to parks and recreational facilities through carefully determining appropriate rules and regulations to best address the collective needs of Arlington's residents. The c

Commission seeks to continually evolve in the understanding of the recreational needs of the community. Residents interested in filling this position are encouraged to apply. Please mail or email your resume and letter of interest to Arlington’s Recreation Director, Natasha Waden at nwaden@town.arlington.ma.us.

The AmpUp! Advisory Committee

The Arlington AmpUp! Comprehensive Plan Update Advisory Committee is seeking two new members to participate in the public planning process to update Arlington’s Comprehensive Plan (formerly called the Master Plan) which serves as a guide for future land use and development decisions, and includes a ten-year implementation strategy to achieve that vision. The Advisory Committee is made up of 15 Arlington residents representing a mix of homeowners, renters,  and local business owners that will help guide community outreach efforts to begin outlining the future vision and goals of the Town to carry us into 2036.

The AmpUp! Committee meets on the 4th Thursday of the month from 6–7:30pm via hybrid format. There are additional, voluntary AmpUp! Outreach Subcommittee meetings and community engagement events each month that members are encouraged to attend when possible. More information on the Arlington Comprehensive Plan Update process is available at ArlingtonMA.gov/CompPlan. Interested parties should submit a letter of interest and resume to Sarah Suarez at ssuarez@town.arlington.ma.us.

Historical Commission

The Commission is chartered under the Town by-laws (Article 6) to preserve and protect significant buildings within the Town which constitute or reflect distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, political, economic or social history of the Town. We work with the Town building inspector, home owners, contractors and architects to review and act upon applications for building permits that involve exterior changes to significant properties in the Town. We also encourage maintenance and restoration of the Town’s historic structures and participate in the management of the Whittemore Robbins house. We are seeking Arlington residents who are eager to help maintain and protect the Town’s unique historic character. For more information, please visit https://www.arlingtonhistoricalcommission.org.

Arlington Human Rights Commission

The Arlington School Committee is seeking applicants for appointments to the Arlington Human Rights Commission to fill a term commencing December 25, 2025 and expiring October 31, 2027. View full details.

Arlington Human Rights Commission

The AHRC is looking to fill multiple vacancies on its 13-member commission. No formal experience is required. Commissioners must be Arlington residents. Commitment is 6-12 hours per month, plus meetings. AHRC's meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of every month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Arlington Community Center, 27 Maple Street or via Zoom. View job description and more about AHRC.

If interested, please email ahrc@town.arlington.ma.us. Include a short note about why you are interested, a description of your skillsets, and a list of prior relevant experience or a resume.

Envision Arlington

Envision Arlington is seeking two new Board members - one to be appointed by the Director of Planning and Community Development with approval by the Arlington Redevelopment Board, and one to be appointed by the Town Moderator. Envision Arlington’s mission is to foster an engaged, culturally diverse, and civically active community. Envision promotes volunteer engagement, including seeking input from residents through public surveys, task groups, and forums to explore how Arlington is doing and whether there are additional values or goals that are priorities for the community. A cornerstone of Envision Arlington’s work is the annual Town Survey, which helps to inform the town government, committees, and task groups about the priorities, goals, and vision that the community supports for the Town moving forward. All interested parties are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and resume to envision@town.arlington.ma.us by September 1, 2025.

The Arlington Select Board established a Parking Advisory Committee (PAC) consisting of representatives from stakeholders throughout Arlington to make parking policy recommendations for the business and commercial areas within the town, particularly but not exclusively in Arlington Heights, Arlington Center, and East Arlington. This group also plays an advisory role regarding projects supported with funds from the Arlington Center Parking Benefit District and any future parking benefits districts created, as needed. The committee is seeking representatives from the business community, particularly Arlington Heights and East Arlington, and Arlington residents who reside and/or abut the Arlington Heights, Arlington Center and East Arlington areas. All interested parties are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and resume to to Katie Luczai at kluczai@town.arlington.ma.us. 

Permanent Town Building Committee

The Select Board is seeking an Arlington resident to serve as a member of the Permanent Town Building Committee (1 vacancy). Interested parties should submit letter of interest and/or resume to the Select Board, 730 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476 or e-mail to sbadmin@town.arlington.ma.us.  Position remains open until filled.

Civilian Police Advisory Commission

The Arlington Youth Counseling Center Advisory Board, the Rainbow Commission, the Council on Aging, and the Disability Commission are each responsible for nominating a candidate to serve on the Arlington Civilian Police Advisory Commission (ACPAC) and are seeking applicants for nomination.

For Arlington Youth Counseling Center Advisory Board, please send your resume to scarruth@town.arlington.ma.us.  Other interested applicants may send their resume and/or letter of interest to rainbow@town.arlington.ma.us or disabilitycomm@town.arlington.ma.us.

The Select Board is also seeking an Arlington resident to serve on the Commission.  Interested parties should send their resume and letter of interest to sbadmin@town.arlington.ma.us.

Disability Commission

The Arlington Disability Commission wants you! The Commission is seeking action-oriented volunteers to join us. The Commission works towards full integration and participation of people with disabilities in Arlington, by providing information, guidance, and technical assistance to individuals, groups, and organizations.

We rely on a diverse pool of Commissioners who are able to participate in the planning and implementation of activities and projects. Time commitment is typically 4 to 6 hours per month, which includes attending the commission meeting on the third Wednesday of each month between 5:30pm - 7pm, and also participating in at least one subcommittee which will include work outside of regular monthly meetings. Applicants with disabilities will be given priority however we welcome caretakers, professionals and advocates in disability related fields. Email your resume and letter of interest to townmanager@town.arlington.ma.us, or send it to the Town Manager, 730 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 02476. 

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Select Board is seeking an Arlington resident to serve as an Associate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Registered Architects, Registered Professional Engineers, and Attorneys at Law are particularly encouraged to apply. Interested parties should submit letter and/or resume to the Select Board at sbadmin@town.arlington.ma.us. Position remains open until filled.

Cable Advisory Committee

The Cable Advisory Committee is seeking citizen volunteers who will serve on this committee to assist them with Cable Television licensing and renewal negotiations and any other cable television related issues referred by the Select Board pursuant to Federal and State Cable Television. Members are appointed by the Select Board. All interested parties are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and resume to the Office of the Select Board at sbadmin@town.arlington.ma.us.

LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission

The Rainbow Commission is a highly engaged group of residents, appointed by the Town, who are dedicated to creating greater access, equity and inclusion in Arlington for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families through active community building, affirming policies and programs, resources, advocacy, and initiatives. If you identify as a member or ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and are committed to ensuring that Arlington continues to cultivate a strong LGBTQIA+ community consider applying. Applicants of all backgrounds and identities are encouraged to apply, to ensure that the group truly represents the wonderful diversity within Arlington’s LGBTQIA+ community. Specifically, we’re seeking finance, communications and writing pros, as well as thoughtful, collaborative individuals to round out the collective experience and skill-set of current Commissioners. Read the full description.

Arlington Commission for Arts & Culture   

The Arlington Commission for Arts & Culture seeks residents, business owners and nonprofit leaders who are passionate about the arts to work with us, including a Commissioner-level role.  

Bringing together several previously separate cultural entities including Arlington Cultural Council, Arlington Public Art, ArtLinks, the state-designated Arlington Cultural District, and Poet Laureate, ACAC promotes and develops arts and culture programs, events, and resources under the ArtsArlington.org brand in order to create a sustainable and vibrant arts scene that engages and attracts artists, residents, businesses and visitors. 

ACAC generally meets one evening each month, as well as in periodic subcommittees and working groups around such activities as grant-making, fundraising, public art installations, performance programs and festivals, artist networking and development, destination marketing and communications, and Cultural District planning. ACAC especially seeks Commissioners willing to volunteer their expertise in the areas of volunteer or event coordination, media or marketing, and performing or literary arts.

ACAC strives to expand access to and promote cultural equity in the arts, and to have Committee membership reflecting the diversity of our town. We strongly encourage candidates of varied backgrounds, including people of color, persons with disabilities and others to apply. To ask questions, or to apply with a letter of interest and resume, contact co-chair Stewart Ikeda at chair@artsarlington.org.

Arlington Commission For Arts And Culture Grants Committee

The Town is currently seeking community members interested in serving on the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture Grants Committee. The committee receives funds from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and annually awards grants to support public programs in our community that promote access, education, diversity and excellence in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. Members of the committee include artists and arts administrators, though experience in these areas is not required. We gladly welcome any community members with an interest in art, science, or culture.

Members are appointed by the Select Board for up to two consecutive three-year terms. The committee meets monthly, on the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Visit our webpage to learn more, and to see examples of past and current grantees. 

You can apply to join the committee by submitting a letter of interest and resume to the committee at ACCChair@town.arlington.ma.us. Please also reach out with any questions, and we invite you to join us for a meeting or two if you are interested in learning more.

Young Arlington Collaborative (YAC)

It's new and it's big, and it has space for all the youth and young adults in town who want to participate in the various aspects of civic engagement and community building in Arlington. The YAC will be led by its standing committee which has space for 42 members (2 from each precinct) of which 21 will be voting members. Its size and its openness to all youth and young adults will hopefully make it one of the most inclusive and diverse groups created by Town Meeting. To see more details about how the group will be created and function, please visit the committee's page. You can submit your name to join the YAC by sending email to sbadmin@town.arlington.ma.us.

Public Memorial Committee 

The Public Memorial Committee is seeking a representative to evaluate, make recommendations and coordinate public memorials within the Town of Arlington. The committee’s purpose is to officially recognize those whose exemplary accomplishments have reflected credit and honor upon the Town of Arlington, by certain criteria established and set forth in writing by the Committee. The committee is the official source for memorialization of persons by the Town. 

No committee member shall be an employee of the Town of Arlington or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Interested parties should send a resume and brief letter of interest to the Office of the Select Board at sbadmin@town.arlington.ma.us.

Cyrus E. Dallin Museum Trustees   

If you have an appreciation for art and history and enjoy meeting new people, volunteering at the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum is a rewarding way to pursue these interests and provide a valuable public service.  The Museum is recruiting volunteer docents to ensure we will be prepared to welcome visitors when we resume normal operations.  Docents lead tours and greet visitors during the Museum's open hours (Friday through Sunday from 12:00 - 4:00.) Docent shifts are two hours long, either 12-2 or 2-4. The modest commitment requested is at least four hours per month. Schedules are arranged with the Museum's Volunteer Coordinator.  To Apply: Please contact Nancy Blanton at nblanton@dallin.org. To learn more about the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum, visit dallin.org.  No prior knowledge of art or history is required. We provide training to help you become familiar with the permanent collection, lead tours and knowledgeably answer questions about Dallin and his art.

Arlington Committee on Tourism and Economic Development

The Arlington Committee on Tourism and Economic Development (ATED) is seeking new members.  ATED supports local businesses and cultural resources, operates the visitor center on Uncle Sam Plaza, participates in the Town’s Patriots Day weekend events, and works to promote Arlington as a vibrant visitor and retail destination.  The committee generally holds its meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm.  Residents and local business owners who are passionate about the town’s story are encouraged to apply.  The committee is especially interested in new members who are willing to volunteer for activities and projects, have a connection to the business community, or can donate social media and/or marketing skills.   To apply, please email a letter of interest along with a resume or statement of qualifications to Angela Olszewski at amolszewski@gmail.com

Historic Districts Commission

The Arlington Historic District Commissions are seeking to fill vacancies for the Avon Place and Central Historic District Commissions. The Commissions typically meet on the fourth Thursday of each month at 8 PM at the Whittemore-Robbins House (behind Robbins Library) except in November and December when it meets on the third Thursday. Preference is given to resident property owners who live in those Districts, but all interested residents are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and resume to Carol Greeley, Executive Secretary, Arlington Historic District Commission, 15 Temple Street, Arlington MA 02476. Visit the AHDC website at http://www.ArlingtonHistoricDistrict.com for more information on the By-laws and Design Guidelines for Historic Districts in Arlington.  

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