The AAC recommends staffing appointments for more than a dozen of the city’s boards and commissions, including the Board of Health, the Licensing Commission, the Planning Board, the Traffic Commission, and more. These boards and commissions are tasked with a wide range of critical duties, such as making public health decisions, issuing permits, providing funding for affordable housing development and job training, and other essential functions.  

AAC members review applications, interview candidates, and recommend finalists to the mayor for consideration. The AAC will ensure Mayor Ballantyne’s core values of equity, access, and inclusion are upheld with each appointment made. If you have an interest in the work the below boards, commissions, and committees are doing and want to help ensure members are representative of our diverse and dynamic population, the AAC is a great option for you. 

The AAC interviews candidates for the following groups:

• Affordable Housing Trust Fund

• Board of Health

• Condominium Review Board

• Conservation Commission

• Design Review Committee

• Ethics Commission

• Job Creation and Retention Trust Board

• Historic Preservation Commission 

• Housing Authority Board

• Licensing Commission

• Planning Board

• Redevelopment Authority

• Traffic Commission

• Zoning Board of Appeals

The AAC typically meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Members serve three-year terms. Because the AAC is an advisory committee to the mayor, new AAC members are appointed by the mayor only and do not need to go before the City Council for approval.

To apply, please send a statement of interest to Hannah Carrillo at hcarrillo@somervillema.gov or Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville MA 02143. Please email Hannah or call her at 617-625-6600 ext. 2100 with any questions.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Adrienne Pomeroy, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.