The Northborough Youth Commission voted unanimously on March 20 to appoint a school-district health liaison as a nonvoting associate member to the panel.

Chair Erica Ziger read the motion and confirmed the unanimous vote after Caitlin Mitchell moved to appoint a representative from the district’s health and wellness office and Ziger seconded the motion. The commission recorded an affirmative voice vote and welcomed the district representative to future meetings.

The liaison role was proposed as a way to bring district-level health information, including trends and program needs, to the commission’s monthly deliberations. Ziger said the liaison would “assist us in making programming and helping us to learn more about what the challenges are of the youth and families in Northborough.”

District nursing leader Mary Ellen Dugan introduced herself to the commission and described her role as the district’s nurse leader and wellness coordinator. “I am Mary Ellen Dugan. I am the District Nurse Leader and Wellness Coordinator,” she said. Commission staff staff social worker Caitlin Mitchell clarified a technical point about membership: “Non voting members are not required for form,” noting the liaison would participate but not be counted for quorum or voting.

Under the commission bylaws discussed during the meeting, associate members may be elected “from those persons in the town of Northborough indicating their desire to be so associated” and have all privileges except the right to vote. Commissioners discussed that an associate from the district could either attend in person or designate a delegate when unavailable.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Appoint a liaison from the Northborough–Southborough district health and wellness office as an associate (nonvoting) member. Moved by Caitlin Mitchell (social worker), seconded by Erica Ziger (chair). Vote: unanimous (Yes: Erica Ziger; Joan Clemente; Carrie Wolf; Judy Boyle). Outcome: approved.
- Motion: Approve meeting minutes from Feb. 27. Moved by Erica Ziger; seconded (recorded). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

The commission recorded the vote on the liaison appointment during the March 20 meeting and agreed to invite the district liaison or a designated representative to future meetings to share school health trends and support program planning. The commission’s next steps include integrating the liaison’s input into upcoming goal-setting and outreach work.