Seeking Advice on CMS website design

I want to set up a site for the rural township I live in to create a space for people to express their thoughts and concerns.

Right now I have elected to go with Wordpress as a base.
Then I see they offer a forum add-on bbpress and that there is another called BuddyPress.
Beyond that I learned is option for a “theme” pack, perhaps like EXs or Membershiply. I have no hands-on with any of this so would like to get some suggestions from those that have been down this road already.