Applications Open To Join Manhattan Community Boards

NEW YORK, NY — Applications are now open for Manhattan residents to join one of the borough's 12 community boards, which play a key role in city policy.

Community boards are tasked with weighing in on land use and development, deciding whether to issue permits for liquor licenses and street fairs, assessing neighborhood needs, and addressing community concerns.

The applications are handled by newly inaugurated Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who encouraged people to apply for one of the hundreds of available seats.

Levine has made one notable change to this year's application: it asks whether residents own a car. He first suggested adding a car-ownership question while running for borough president, saying it would help Manhattan's boards better reflect its population, which largely relies on public transit.

Applications for this year are available until March 1 and can be found here.

"Having served on my local board for many years, I know first hand how Community Boards play a critical role in shaping our neighborhoods," Levine said in a statement.

"I am committed to making Manhattan's 12 Community Boards better reflect the needs and diversity of the communities they serve. I strongly urge anyone who has a desire to get involved in the wellbeing of your community to apply."

Each board member serves a two-year term, with the option to re-apply at the end of their term. The Borough President appoints all members and selects half of each year's members, while the other half is nominated by the City Council members that represent each board district.

Board members are not paid, but can be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses related to their responsibilities.

Click through a citywide map of community boards here and apply here.