Joseph Wightman - Other Positions Held

Other Positions Held

Wightman was involved for many years in the civic affairs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston, serving in elected and unelected public and private offices.

Wightman was, in 1851, a member of the Massachusetts Great and General Court (Legislature) representing Boston in the Massachusetts state House of Representatives. While a member of the House of Representative, Wightman served on the Joint Standing Committee on Manufactures

In April 1856 Wightman became a member of the Board of Alderman for the City of Boston. Wightman served as a member of the Board of Aldermen for three years serving as Chairman of the Board of Alderman in 1858.

From 1858 until 1862 (when he resigned upon assuming the duties of Mayor) Wightman served as an appointed trustee of the city owned Mt Hope Cemetery.

In 1860 Wightman was a delegate to the Fourth National Quarantine and Sanitary Convention held from June 14 to June 16 at Mechanics' Hall, Boston. The last of a series of meetings held to promote sanitary science. During the convention Wightman served as a member of the "Business Committee" Wightman was also on two committees for 1860–1861 for "Arrangements for the Ensuing Year", and on the "Permanent Organization of the Association". (However as a result of the outbreak of the American Civil War the convention never assembled again.)

On February 13, 1868 Wightman was elected by the Boston City Council to serve a two year term as a Commissioner of the Cochituate Water Board. At the Water Board's April 6, 1868 organizational meeting Withgman was appointed to the Standing Committee of the Water Registrar's Department and to the Special Auditing Committee. At the April 6, 1869 organizational meeting of the Cochituate Water Board Wightman was put on the Committee of Rules and Regulations, the Standing Committees of the Water Registrar's Department and the Western Division and the Special Committees of High Service, The East Boston Reservoir and, Construction of Telegraph.

Wightman served as Chairman of the three member board of Registrars of Voters from 1878 until his death on January 25, 1885.