First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff has announced the town is seeking residents to serve on the Historic District Commission.

Members of the commission are appointed by the First Selectman for a term of five years, upon the recommendation of the commission.

The five-member commission reviews applications for Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior changes to local landmark properties or properties located in local historic districts, and holds public hearings on such applications.

"The commission promotes preservation of historically significant sites and buildings in town and seeks ways to encourage and expand local interest in preservation issues," said Joseloff. "The identification and designation of significant historic properties in Westport is an ongoing responsibility."

The town commission takes part in the Certified Local Government Program of Connecticut, funded by the Historic Preservation Fund of the National Park Service and administered by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, Historic Preservation and Museum Division. This relationship was established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which grants formal responsibilities and funding to the HDC for historic preservation activities.

The Historic District Commission invites members of the public who would be interested in filling the vacancies on the commission to attend the regularly scheduled public hearing held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Town Hall, Room 309/307.

The professions represented by applicants might include architecture, historic architecture, history, architectural history, archaeology, planning, real estate, building trades, landscape architecture, or law. In all cases, however, commission members should have a demonstrated interest, competence or knowledge in the field of preservation.

Those interested in serving on the commission should send a letter and resume to Carol Leahy, CLG Coordinator/Historic District Commission Staff Administrator, Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880. For more information please call the HDC Office at 341-1184.