MIDDLEBURY — Addison County is made up of 23 municipalities, all of which offered a variety of public service opportunities to residents through the March 4 Town Meeting Day elections. Sadly, the election ballots in the vast majority of towns featured zero contested elections. Many ballots displayed various posts — ranging from delinquent tax collector to selectboard — with no takers.

And those were elected positions. Communities like Middlebury, Vergennes and Bristol each maintain several other committees that carry out key functions, and selectboards are having a difficult time filling those panels with appointees.

“Everyone is looking for the perfect solution that brings everybody out. It’s an ongoing issue, trying to find the best way to reach folks to get them engaged, to offer meaningful ways for them to get involved with the town,” said Middlebury Assistant Town Manager David Sophrin.

Local officials said the dearth of volunteers is in large part a sign of the times. It’s much more common for a family to have two outside-the-home workers, than not. There are more diversions and distractions — mainly electronic — than there were 30 years ago. And those scrolling their phones aren’t actively searching for civic volunteer opportunities.

All of this has made it harder to fill spots on municipal development review boards, planning commissions, energy committees, conservation commissions and a host of other panels that help shape the neighborhoods, scenic beauty, diversity and overall quality of life in our communities.

Last year, Middlebury sought applicants for 17 vacancies across 14 boards, commissions and individual posts like tree warden and grand juror. Only 13 people applied for those posts, according to Sophrin, and several of them were incumbents and/or the same folks who’ve been civically engaged for years.

In addition to those municipal posts, Middlebury last year advertised vacancies for eight delegates on six regional boards, including the Addison County Regional Planning Commission and Maple Broadband Communications District. Only five people threw their hats into the ring for those appointments.

This spring, Middlebury is looking to fill eight posts on eight town boards/committees, three spots on regional organizations, and six individual town positions, ranging from fence viewer to town service officer.

Appointments to the regional agencies would need to involve a Middlebury resident, as would the DRB & planning commission spots. The other town groups do not have such a requirement, according to Sophrin.

Go to your town’s website to find out more about public service opportunities. Appointments for most of the vacancies range from one to four years. Many of the committees meet monthly, for an hour or two.

The search for volunteers has been a little easier of late in Vergennes, where Major Chris Bearor said the search is on for four recreation committee members, a lister, and auditor and a Vergennes-Panton Water District representative.

“We’re not hurting, but we’re definitely looking,” he said.

So what’s the answer?

Boosting outreach, according to Sophrin.

“We want to go beyond some of the traditional outreach efforts and try to reach new circles,” he said. “The town staff and selectboard want to see if we can reach a wider audience and see if we can get more applicants and interest from our citizens.”

He and Middlebury Town Manager Mark Pruhenski this year are supplementing traditional newspaper, town website and Front Porch Porum blasts with shout-outs to area civic groups, such as the American Legion, Rotary and Lions clubs, and the Mary Hogan Elementary School PTA.

“We’ve gotten a favorable response from them so far,” he said of the civic groups, which are already well-versed in service to others.

Future plans call for Middlebury to expand its social media footprint to such platforms as Instagram, which would allow the town to spread its volunteerism message to a younger demographic. Plans call for the selectboard to nominate applicants on April 8, with appointments slated for April 22.

Those interested in serving in Middlebury, or who’d just like to learn more about this opportunity, should call Beth Dow at 802-388-8100 ext. 202, or email her at [email protected].

“We’re trying to be hopeful and creative,” Sophrin said.