POTSDAM — Volunteers are needed to serve on the Village of Potsdam’s Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, Mayor Reinhold J. Tischler announced recently.

The Planning Board is charged with reviewing applications for site plan review, special use permits, undertakes study projects and assists in drafting land-use regulations at the request of the village board of trustees.

The Planning Board is also the village’s tree commission advising on community forest policies.

There are two vacancies for alternate members to serve on this board. Alternate members are empowered to vote if a member of the board is absent or there is a need for a quorum.

Planning Board members are appointed by the mayor for a five-year term of office. The board meets on an as-needed basis, however its schedule calls for one meeting each month from October through March and two meetings each month from April through September.

The Zoning Board of Appeals is a quasi-judicial board that reviews and acts on applications for dimensional or use relief from the Village of Potsdam’s Zoning Code.

The board is empowered to provide opinions on zoning questions referred to it by applicants or by village staff.

There is one voting member vacancy and two vacancies for alternate members on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Alternate members are empowered to vote on issues if a member is absent or there is a need for a quorum.

Members of the ZBA are appointed by the mayor for a 5-year term.

The ZBA also meets on an as-needed basis, however it is scheduled to hold one meeting each month from October through March and two meetings per month from April through September.

Both boards work closely with the village code enforcement officer and the village planner.

To qualify for appointment to either board, a candidate must be a citizen of the United States and a year-round resident of the village.

Interested parties should contact Frederick Hanss, director of the Potsdam Planning and Development Office at fhanss@vi.potsdam.ny.us or 315-265-1670.