As I wrote at the end of my first post, I had some thoughts on the Zoning Commission meeting I attended and on the Zoning office in general.  My blog post was lengthy enough so that I figured I would write a Part 2 of sorts.  Here are my thoughts.

1. I discovered how complicated Zoning regulations are.  I went to the Zoning office the day after the meeting to ask some follow up questions on subjects such as whether the projects can go ahead after the Commission approves them.  I left the office more confused than when I entered and it left me dismayed and annoyed.  Fortunately, my mother previously worked for a real estate firm, so she regularly dealt with Zoning regulations and was able to fill in the blanks on my questions.

2.  The people who serve on the Commission are just ordinary citizens.  They are not politicians who are distant from the average person.  They are just the people who are your neighbors and who you see at the grocery store.  They are not experts either who know all the ins and outs of the different ordinances and Zoning regulations in West Hartford.  That is probably why one of the Board members was someone who knew all of those rules, like a parliamentarian. They just care about the welfare of West Hartford, and want to help.  That is the essence of citizen government.

3. There are many different commissions and boards that people can serve on, from the Arts commission to the Rent Board which range from meeting once a month to meeting as needed.  You just have to apply and get appointed instead of having to run for those seats.  Perhaps I will serve on one of these boards someday. 

Have any of you served on a voluntary board or commission?  Comment below.