Board vs. Committee

Training for: Legal Notes

Question: What’s the difference between a municipal board and a municipal committee?

Answer: Other than the nomenclature, there is none. Neither “board” nor “committee” is defined by statute, but both terms, as well as others (e.g., “council,” “commission”), commonly denote a body or group of individuals, usually at least three, chosen to perform a particular task or exercise a certain function.

In local government, both the number and nature of boards and committees vary widely. Some are provided for by statute, while others are the product of municipal charters, ordinances, town meeting votes or the actions of existing boards or officials. Also, some are “standing” or perpetual committees, while others are “special” or “ad hoc” committees with a limited mission and an end date. Moreover, while some have final authority, at least over certain matters, some are purely advisory, with no final authority at all. Finally, some are elected, some are appointed, and some are a hybrid – a mix of both.

Obviously, the characteristics of a particular board or committee will depend on how it was created. But regardless of its origin, purpose or authority, or how its members are chosen, if a board or committee was established by or on behalf of a municipality, one thing is certain: Its meetings will be subject to Maine’s Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) or “Right to Know” law. For more on this, see our “Information Packet” on the subject, available free to members at www.memun.org. (By R.P.F.)

Question: What’s the difference between a municipal board and a municipal committee?

Answer: Other than the nomenclature, there is none. Neither “board” nor “committee” is defined by statute, but both terms, as well as others (e.g., “council,” “commission”), commonly denote a body or group of individuals, usually at least three, chosen to perform a particular task or exercise a certain function.

In local government, both the number and nature of boards and committees vary widely. Some are provided for by statute, while others are the product of municipal charters, ordinances, town meeting votes or the actions of existing boards or officials. Also, some are “standing” or perpetual committees, while others are “special” or “ad hoc” committees with a limited mission and an end date. Moreover, while some have final authority, at least over certain matters, some are purely advisory, with no final authority at all. Finally, some are elected, some are appointed, and some are a hybrid – a mix of both.

Obviously, the characteristics of a particular board or committee will depend on how it was created. But regardless of its origin, purpose or authority, or how its members are chosen, if a board or committee was established by or on behalf of a municipality, one thing is certain: Its meetings will be subject to Maine’s Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) or “Right to Know” law. For more on this, see our “Information Packet” on the subject, available free to members at www.memun.org. (By R.P.F.)