Metuchen hoping to spur residents to get involved
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March 9, 2010
By Lalita Aloor Amuthan

A "Call To Service Summit" aimed at encouraging residents to take leadership roles in their community will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 20 at borough hall. The summit will be hosted by the Citizens' Campaign and the Metuchen Edison Woodbridge YMCA.

Several neighboring towns, including Edison, have held similar events aimed at increasing citizen participation on municipal boards, committees and commissions. Borough resident Grace Shackney, a volunteer with the Citizens' Campaign, said she got the ball rolling on holding a summit in Metuchen. "There are a lot of newer people in town who have asked me several times how they can get involved," Shackney said. "This just opens up the process and also gives the Borough Council a ready file of resumes to look at when there is an opening."

The Borough Council recently adopted the Citizens' Campaign model resolution, thereby joining the statewide "Jersey Call to Service." Shackney said chairpersons and representatives of various boards will be available at the forum to speak to interested residents about the various opportunities to serve.

The chairman of the Citizens' Campaign, Harry Pozycki, will give a brief presentation on the various capacities in which people can participate, including requirements and expectations for those who serve.

Mayor Thomas Vahalla said in a news release: "Metuchen citizens have time and time again, displayed their deep-rooted commitment to public service. The Call to Service Summit will be an opportunity to inspire the borough's newer residents with the same Metuchen public service spirit." The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, though, so those attending are asked to call Shackney at 732-548-9798, ext. 6.