Below is a summary of functions and links to the pages for the various Boards, Commissions and Committees. There is also a table showing the number of members, terms and whether they are elected or appointed. Meeting schedules are found under the Town Clerk web page, or on the individual Boards, Commissions and Committees pages.

Boards

• Board of Assessment Appeals:  Governing body for Assessment Appeals.
• Board of Education: resolves broad questions of policy relating to education issues; and selects, retains, and evaluates the Superindentent of Schools. 
• Board of Finance: formulates and recommends the Town’s financial policies. It reviews budgetary requests from both the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen. The budgets of all other town boards and commissions are incorporated into the Selectmen’s budget. The Board is responsible for the financial and taxation matters and for establishing the tax rate.
• Board of Selectmen:  the executive branch of the government. The Board appoints electors to boards and commissions. The First Selectman, who is a member of the Board of Selectmen, is the Chief elected and administrative officer of the Town and presides over meetings of the Board of Selectmen.
• Flood and Erosion Control Board
• New Roxbury Housing Authority: governed by Connecticut Statutes-Chapter 97 for the purpose of providing adequate and affordable housing for the elderly and disabled in Woodstock.
• Water Pollution Control Authority: see Offices/Departments
• Zoning Board of Appeals: hears appeals from decisions of the Zoning Enforcement Officer and is empowered to grant variances to the Zoning Regulations.

Commissions

• Camp Nahaco Park Commission:  established in 2003 after the Towns of Woodstock and Eastford together purchased the former Boy Scout Camp known as Camp Nahaco.  The duties of the Commission are to oversee the day-today operation of Camp Nahaco Park, including activities, usage, facility development, and hiring of personnel to staff any programs that are included in a duly approved Park Budget or supplemental appropriation.
• Conservation Commission - maintains inventory of natural resources, makes recommendations to other municipal agencies on land use and other plans for protection of natural resources, and further goals of Woodstock's A Plan of Open Space and Conservation
• Economic Development Commission:  established by ordinance to promote and develop the economic resources of Woodstock.
• Historic District Commission:  created by Town Ordinance in 1995 to promote the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of buildings, places and districts of the Town which are important for their historical and architectural values.
• Historic Properties Commission:  created by Town Ordinance in 1991 for the purpose of preserving and protecting buildings, archaeological sites, landscapes and places of historic and cultural significance and their setting in Woodstock, recognizing them as landmarks in the history of the Town, State and Nation.
• Inland Wetlands Agency: protects and minimizes impact of development on wetlands and watercourses
• Planning & Zoning Commission: the development and use of land is a major determinant of the future physical form of the Town.  The primary objective of the Planning & Zoning Commission to manage development in a responsible manner in order to protect public health and safety and the environment, natural resources and character of the Town, and to further the goals of the Woodstock Plan of Conservation and Development.
• Recreation Commission:  purpose is to promote the general welfare of the community by providing recreational activities for the citizens of Woodstock.

Committees and Task Forces

• Arboretum Committee:  dealing with the Palmer Arboretum which was founded in 1914 by Minnie Palmer Dean. The Arboretum is located behind the Historical Society on Route 169 and is open to the public.
• Beautification Committee:  created through a grant dating back to the 1970’s. Originally created to beautify the grounds at the old Town Hall. Currently beautifies the Town Commons.
• Municipal Finance Advisory Task Force - examines means by which public is kept informed about Town budget, capital expenditures and long-term fiscal planning, explores ways to increase revenue, reviews expenditures
• New Roxbury Housing Authority - governing authority for New Roxbury Village, a low-income senior citizen complex
• Open Space Land Acquisition and Farmland Preservation Committee:  created by Ordinance in 1999, charged with identifying and prioritizing potential acquisitions of land or interests in land for open space or recreational or agricultural purposes, making recommendations to the Board of Selectmen regarding acquisition of such land and other proper uses of the Land Acquisition Fund and performing such other tasks relating to the use and administration of the Fund as the Board of Selectmen may direct.
• Quasset School Advisory Committee:  established in 1996 to cover the use and care of the Quasset School and it’s collection of historical artifacts.
• Transfer Station Committee
• Veteran's Advisory Committee:  established by the Selectmen in 1993.
• Website (Town) Committee: working to enhance communication by providing open access to timely, accurate and useful information on the official Town of Woodstock website.

Note: Most of the above information is excerpted from the booklet "Know Your Town Government."  See the Town Clerk's Office, Forms tab to download a copy.

Also see:

• Town Offices and Departments
• Town Contacts

Appt or Elected

# of Members

Term Length

How Vacancy Filled

Vacancy Filled To

Board of Assessment Appeals

E

3

4 years

Selectmen

Next Town Election

Conservation Commission

A

11

5 years

First Selectman

Unexpired portion of term

   Alternates

A

3

5 years

First Selectman

Unexpired portion of term

Camp Nahaco Park Commission

A

8

2 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

  Alternates

A

2

2 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

Economic Development Commission

E

5

5 years

First Selectman

Unexpired portion of term

Education, Board of

E

9

6 years

MVRM**

Next Town Election

Finance, Board of

E

6

6 years

MVRM

Next Town Election

 Alternates

E

3

6 years

MVRM

Next Town Election

Historic District Commission

A

5

5 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

   Alternates

A

3

5 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

Historic Properties Commission

A

5

5 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

   Alternates

A

3

5 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

Housing Authority

A

5

5 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

Inland Wetlands Commission

A

7

5 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

   Alternates

A

3

3 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

Justices of the Peace

A

18

5 years

Political Party

Unexpired portion of term

Open Space Land Acquisition & Preservation Commission

A

11

No set term

Selectmen

Serve at the pleasure of the Board of Selectmen

Planning & Zoning Commission

E

9

4 years

MVRM

Unexpired portion of term

 Alternates

E

3

4 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

Recreation Committee

A

9

2 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

Selectmen, Board of

E

3

2 years

MVRM

Unexpired portion of term

Water Pollution Control Authority

A

5

5 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term

Zoning Board of Appeals

A

5

4 years

MVRM

Unexpired portion of term

 Alternates

A

3

4 years

Selectmen

Unexpired portion of term