One of the strengths of any well-run town is citizen involvement, and Westport could use a bit more of that at the moment.

Though the town has a deep well of volunteer talent, at least 20 spots on town board are currently unfilled. The issue was highlighted Monday when the chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals said the board is uncomfortably short-staffed and needs at least one ne alternate member to ensure that it can comfortably schedule and hold meetings without fear of being short-staffed (see page 1).

The following positions are open in various boards across town:

* ADA Transition Plan Committee (one vacancy; COD representative)

* Agricultural/Open Space PReservation Trust Fund (one vacancy; CIPC representative)

* Agricultural Commission Alternate (two vacancies)

* Bike/Walking Path Committee (two vacancies)

* Board of Appeals (one associate member vacancy)

* Capital Improvements Planning Committee (one vacancy; business)

* Energy Committee (three vacancies)

* Fence Viewers (one vacancy)

* Personnel Board (two vacancies)

* Recreation Committee (three vacancies)

* Safety Regulation Board (one vacancy)

* Tax Incentive Program Committee (one vacancy; Westport Economic Development Task Force representative)

* Westport Citizen's Betterment Committee (one vacancy)