Town of Stow to Launch Municipal Citizens Academy

STOW – The Town of Stow wants to take the mystery out of government.

The first Municipal Citizens Academy will begin next month, with the goal of informing community members about how the Town’s departments function day-to-day.

Each class in the eight-week academy will be led by department heads and members of the Town Administration, who will explain the functions of their jobs and departments. Participants will be able to meet these town employees and ask questions.

The Academy is free and open to all Stow residents, though space is limited.

“The workings of town government can be confusing to the average resident. How do you get a building permit? What do plow drivers do during a storm? What does the Town Planner do?” said Assistant Town Administrator Dolores Hamilton, who organized the Academy. “We encourage anyone interested to sign up, and hope they become more involved in the community after graduation.”

Classes meet Thursdays from Feb. 2 to March 3029, with the exception of Feb. 23, from 6-7:30 p.m.:

• Feb. 2, Town Building, 380 Great Road – Overview of municipal government
• Feb. 9, Town Building, 380 Great Road –Town Clerk’s Office and Randall Library
• Feb. 16, Town Building, 380 Great Road – Police, Highway, and Cemetery Departments
• March 2, Fire Station, 511 Great Road – Health, Fire, and Inspectional Services Departments
• March 9, Town Building, 380 Great Road – Planning/Zoning and Conservation Departments
• March 16, Pompositticut Community Center, 509 Great Road – Council on Aging, Recreation Department, Social Services, Veterans Services Office
• March 23, Town Building, 380 Great Road – Municipal budgeting, Assessing, Treasurer/Collector
• March 30, Town Building, 380 Great Road – Stow TV, Graduation

The application form may be found here.

For more information please contact Dolores Hamilton, Assistant Town Administrator at 978-897-4175 or assttownadmin@stow-ma.gov.

###