WESTPORT — The first selectwoman has issued a call for public-minded citizens to step forward and volunteer for seats that will be open on five town advisory committees.

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, in a followup to a statement last week, announced Tuesday the town is looking for new members of these committees: TEAM Westport, Arts Advisory Committee, Wakeman Town Farm, International Hospitality Committee and Maintenance Study Committee.

The search for new volunteers to serve on the committees — which are advisory only and have no binding authority — is being launched in response to a complaint filed in January challenging the membership of TEAM Westport on the grounds that it violates several provisions of the town charter.

In that complaint, two residents — Zack Alcyone and Camilo Riano — contended TEAM, a multicultural-advocacy group, violates the charter in three general areas: inadequate minority-political party representation, non-residents are committee members and some members have served longer than allowed than the charter’s term limits.

Tooker, in response to the threatened legal challenge, has decided to require that appointed membership on TEAM Westport and several other committees must conform with most rules set for elected boards and commissions.

Going forward, Tooker reiterated to TEAM’s meeting last week, that means committee memberships can comprise no more than 50 percent from any political party and that all members must be registered voters in Westport.

Membership on the five advisory committees, however, does not conform with Tooker’s new criteria.

Voters interested in serving on any of these groups are asked to fill out an online form, accompanied by a resume and letter outlining their background and interests, and email the material to selectwoman@westportct.gov or mail it to Selectwoman’s Office, Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport CT 06880.

Deadline for submissions is April 15.

Tooker, in her Tuesday call for new committee members, did not mention that the effort arose only after the threat of legal action over TEAM Westport’s membership.

“Among the many appointed boards, commissions and committees,” she said, “there are a number of vacancies that may filled by the members of our community who are seeking an opportunity to volunteer, gain knowledge of their municipal government and provide service to the town. 

“Some boards have minimal commitments, others are more hands-on and skill-driven, but all play an important role in keeping our community strong and vibrant,” she added.