At its first meeting since the resignation of Chair Roseanne Saalfield and former chair and long-time member Jonathan Feist, the Harvard Historical Commission chose to view the need to fill the new vacancies as an occasion to invite participation and model a transparent process as the commission works to rebuild its collective expertise. (See related article, Q&A: Selectmen, former commissioners on appointment process.)

"We have an opportunity to contribute to the process," said Vice-Chair Doug Coots, who is filling in until a new chair is elected in January. "It is an ongoing process that the Board of Selectmen is trying to sort out for trying to be above board and accountable."

The commission agreed to extend an open invitation to all interested residents to attend the commission's next meeting in January, so that people can learn about the work of the commission and expectations of commissioners. (See Coots' letter to the editor.)

Commissioner Ken Swanton, who drafted the letter, said he had been "surprised by several aspects" of the appointment process.

"I spent 25 years involved in Bolton. Maybe I don't understand how this works…It could be improved upon," he said.

"We should have an opportunity to give input," said Coots, perhaps referring to Saalfield's and Feist's resignations over two recent appointments by the Board of Selectmen without an opportunity for the commission to recommend or comment.

"I've never heard of anyone appointing without asking for input," said Swanton.

"If people express interest–hard to say, 'We don't want you,'" said commission member Rhonda Sprague. "If someone were willing to volunteer they should be considered," given the difficulty of filling volunteer vacancies in town.

"I haven't experienced or seen that we've been exclusive," said Swanton. "Five people, one spot, what do you do?"

Coots said Sprague's approach "would work if candidates could fairly assess their experience and strengths," but could be insufficient for the commission if a candidate's experience didn't match the group's needs.

Coots suggested that "a baseline understanding of why we're here" could help define the skills the commission needs for three things: "to develop enough knowledge in the group to pass judgment that is fair and satisfies the law, become effective –not create delays or unwanted consequences, and develop rapport with residents—be able to advocate to protect a district."

The commission is "given authority to help guide the town in respect to what these [historic] districts mean to us and what they mean to the state," he said.

By its charter in the Harvard bylaws, the commission is charged "to protect and preserve the historic resources of Massachusetts through a local review system that encourages and ensures compatible and appropriate improvement and development within historic districts."

Harvard has two historic districts, the Town Center and the Shaker Village Historic districts.