Planning Board By-Law in October Town Meeting Warrant

A familiar saying is that a picture is worth a thousand words.  A comparison of the revised Planning Board By-Law in Article 11 to the current By-Law in two sentences highlighted in red below says a lot about how limited the current by-law is given the importance of the Planning Board in the planning and development of future Holliston. 

Current:

Article IX Planning Board

Section 1.  The Town shall have a Planning Board, consisting of five (5) members, elected for a term of five (5) years each, and so elected that the term of only one (1) will expire in any one (1) year.

Section 2.  The Planning Board shall have the functions and powers as provided in the General Laws as amended, including but not limited to Chapter 40A and Chapter 41.

The more detailed description of the duties of the Planning Board is based on state law with no additional duties provided.  The more detailed description enables the residents of Holliston to better understand the key responsibilities of the Planning Board whose decisions could affect them.  The Planning Board has approved the revised language in Article 11 for Article IX. 

Article 11

ARTICLE IX, Planning Board  

Section 1.  Members The Town shall have a Planning Board, consisting of five (5) members, elected for a term of five (5) years each, and so elected that the term of only one (1) member will expire in any one (1) year. Said Board shall choose from its members a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a Clerk, each to serve a term of one year. The Board may also have an Associate Member, appointed by the Planning Board who shall serve a one-year (1) term.

Section 2.  Powers and Duties The Planning Board shall have the functions and powers as provided under the Constitution, Massachusetts General Laws as amended, including but not limited to Chapter 40A and Chapter 41 of the General Laws and such additional powers and duties as may be authorized by by-law.

1. The Planning Board shall make careful studies of the resources, possibilities and needs of the Town and regulations governing such development of the Town.

2.    Further, the Planning Board shall have the power to:

1. Regulate the subdivision of land within the Town by the adoption of rules and regulations governing such development and the administration of such rules and regulations.
   1. Grant special permits as authorized by town by-laws
   1. Make a comprehensive master plan, setting forth in graphic and textual form policies to govern the future growth and development of the Town at least every 15 years.
   1. Make recommendations to the Town Meeting on all matters affecting land use and development, including the zoning by-laws and zoning map of the Town.
   1. Prepare an annual report, giving information regarding the condition of the Town and any plans or proposals for the Town’s development and estimates of their cost.

Section 3. Vacancy In case of a vacancy, appointment of a new member shall be made in accordance with G.L. c.41, s.11 until the next town election, at which time candidates may run for the balance of the unexpired term.

 Section 3 of the current By-Law is part of a new revised By-Law on Scenic Roads in Article 11.