Town Committees

Agricultural Commission

The Agricultural Commission is responsible to address and represent agricultural issues and interests in the Town of Leyden. The Board of Selectmen appoints a ten member commission with rotating three year terms. At least five members of the Commission shall be engaged in the business of farming or related agricultural industries. The duties and responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to:
  1. Advising the Board of Selectman, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Board of Health and Historic Commission on projects, activities, transactions and acquisitions involving agricultural lands in Town;
  2. Engaging in projects and activities to promote the business of farming, farming activities and traditions, and farmland protection in Town including educational programs and community events; and,
  3. Reporting to Town Meeting on its projects and activities on an annual basis.

Building Commissioner

The Building Commissioner enforces the zoning bylaws for the Town of Leyden. All building permit applications are processed through the Franklin County Cooperation Inspection Program at 425 Main Street (the Court House) in Greenfield.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission is appointed and consists of five members. The commission is responsible for overseeing the protection and preservation of the town’s wetlands and natural resources. Any construction, building, or project which may potentially affect a wetland or natural resouce in town must be approved through the Conservation Commission.

Council on Aging

The Council on Aging meets on the first Thursday of each month in the fellowship hall of the Leyden United Methodist Church. The council is focused on serving the 55 year and older population of Leyden. Monthly meetings serve a lunch and have a variety of interesting speakers or presentations.

Cultural Council

The LCC is a volunteer organization that receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultrual Council. Annually we review grant applications from individuals, schools, and organizations for arts, humanties and the interpretive science projects that provide a local public benefit.

Some Facts About Cultural Councils
  • State funds are provided to every Massachusetts community to support grassroots cultrual activities-that's 329 LCCs serving 351 cities and towns.
  • In Fiscal Year 2005, LCCs awarded approximately $2 million in grants and funded more than 4,000 projects.
  • 2,600 private citizen volunteers donate countless hours to administer the LCC Program in their communities.
  • Almost half of LCC funds support educational activities for children in the arts, humanities and sciences.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee consists of five members appointed by the Moderator. The committee works with the Selectboard to review annual budget requests. Once these requests have been reviewed, the committee makes annual budget recommendations to the town residents at annual town meetings.

Historical Commission

According to Title II, Chapter 40, Section 8D of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Commission is established once the Town has accepted the section. The Town voted to accept this section at the annual meeting in 1974. The Commission consists of three to seven members appointed by the Board of Selectmen.

What we do:
We are the town agency responsible for ensuring that preservation concerns are considered in community planning and development decisions. As advocates of local preservation we are also a resource for information about historical resources and preservation activities. We work with the Massachusetts Historical Commission and other agencies to help insure that distinctive and important characteristics of Northfield are preserved and that new developments are compatible. The Commission is the conduit through which any local sites are passed that are submitted for National Register consideration.

Open Space and Recreation Committee

The Open Space and Recreation Committee works to design and implement the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. This plan outlines the town’s demographics, topography, wildlife, recreation areas and protected wetlands. A new plan was adopted at town meeting on May 14, 2011.

Recreation Committee

The Leyden Recreation Committee sponsors recreation events of the town. They oversee the rental for the town pavilion at Avery Ballfield.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals is comprised of five members appointed by the Selectboard. The ZBA reviews and acts on applications for variances and appeals to denied special permits.