Volunteer for local advisory boards

The Town of Hillsborough needs your help. Consider volunteering for the following committees.

Margaret Lane Cemetery Committee

The Margaret Lane Cemetery Committee works to preserve, restore and beautify the historic Margaret Lane Cemetery, also called Old Slave Cemetery. Members work to learn more about the cemetery’s history and the names and history of the people buried there. The cemetery—located on Margaret Lane and bounded by Hillsborough Avenue and Occoneechee Street—dates back to at least 1885.

Committee members serve three-year terms and meet every two months at 2:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month. The committee will consider changing the meeting time based on availability of new members.

For more information, contact Cemetery Administrator Ken Hines at 732-1270, ext. 83.

Planning Board

The Planning Board reviews planning issues in the town’s zoning jurisdiction. A Hillsborough resident is needed to fill an in-town vacancy.

The board meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of each month to review and make recommendations to the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners on rezonings, subdivisions and ordinance amendments.

For more information, contact Planning Director Margaret Hauth at 732-1270, ext. 86.

Tree Board

The Tree Board regulates planting, maintenance and removal of trees on town-owned public property and rights-of-way within the town. Residents with experience in arboriculture or horticulture especially are encouraged to apply.

Members serve three-year terms, with the board meeting at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.

For more information, contact the town’s Tree Board representative, Ken Hines, at 732-1270, ext. 78.

Water/Sewer Advisory Committee

In-town and out-of-town customers are needed to fill vacancies on the Water/Sewer Advisory Committee. The committee of eight members is responsible for making recommendations to town staff and the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners on issues related to the management of the Water and Sewer Fund. This includes public information and general operational and financial issues.

Typically, the board is made up of four in-town customers and four out-of town customers, serving four-year terms. The committee meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month in the Town Barn, located at 101 E. Orange St. on the Town Hall campus.

For more information, contact Utilities Director Kenny Keel at 732-1270, ext. 75.

Orange County Animal Services Advisory Board

Hillsborough needs a representative for this board, which provides input and advice to the staff of the Animal Services Department.

The Animal Services Department has animals available for adoption and partners with area rescue organizations to place animals. The department also manages licensing and offers low-cost rabies clinics, spay/neuter programs and other services. In addition, it provides animal control services to the unincorporated portions of Orange County, Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. Responsibilities include enforcing N.C. general statutes as well as county laws that apply to animals.

The Animal Services Advisory Board meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the community room of the Orange County Animal Services Center, 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. Members may serve two three-year terms.

For more information, select the “Animal Services Advisory Board” link on the county's Boards and Commissions page or call county employees Donna Baker at 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones at 245-2125.

Orange County Human Relations Commission

Hillsborough’s two seats on this commission are open. The commission works to prevent and eliminate bias and discrimination through education, persuasion, conciliation and enforcement. It also advises the Orange County Board of Commissioners, receives discrimination complaints and conducts corresponding investigation.

The commission meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the community room of the Orange County Animal Services Center, 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. Members may serve two three-year terms.

For more information, select the “Human Relations Commission” link on the county's Boards and Commissions page or contact James Spivey at 245-2488.

Orange County Solid Waste Advisory Board

The town needs a representative for this board, which provides advice on solid waste matters in the county to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

The board recommends programs, policies, changes in services and other matters related to the county’s solid waste system, which includes the landfill, solid waste convenience centers and recycling programs. Members investigate new technologies, suggest amendments to the Solid Waste Management Plan and provide recommendations concerning any proposal for a change to rates, fees and charges. The board also provides advice to the county manager for use in developing the solid waste system’s annual budget.

The advisory board meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Orange County Solid Waste Management Administration Building, 1207 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. Members may serve two three-year terms.

For more information, select the “Solid Waste Advisory Board” link on the county's Boards and Commissions page or contact Assistant Town Manager Nicole Ard at 732-1270, ext. 77.

To apply

A volunteer application is available on the town website under Boards and Commissions in the Town Government section. Copies also may be picked up in the town clerk’s office on the Town Hall campus, 101 E. Orange St. Completed applications will stay on file for future vacancies.

If interested in representing Hillsborough on a county advisory board, please apply through Orange County’s Boards and Commissions page.