[Massplanners] [External] Legal Advertisements for Planning Board and ZBA Hearings

[Dan Fortier]

Definitely a problem. Gannett shutdown the local paper and put it totally on line. That was fine as we moved to the Cape Cod Times, some adjustments were needed, but we got things set up to ensure that the applicants were told what the cost was, and who to contact at the Times. Well, they closed that persons position out to consolidate Legal Advertising elsewhere. We have contact information when they send us the proof, and the cost of the ad. We send that to the applicant with instructions to call and ensure it is paid. Hurdle now is, we need to watch to be sure they have paid and the ad is properly run.

I am all for being able to place these on-line if readily accessible locations (not paywall news sites).  Not sure why you pay for an ad, then have that hidden behind a paywall???


Daniel J. Fortier, AICP
Town Planner
Dennis Planning Department
685 Route 134
South Dennis MA 02660
Phone 508-760-6119
dfortier at town.dennis.ma.us



From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Kristina Johnson via MassPlanners
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2022 10:44 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [External] [Massplanners] Legal Advertisements for Planning Board and ZBA Hearings


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Hello Friends and Colleagues,

I am curious to know if any of you are having an issue with legal advertisements, as many local and regional newspapers either being consolidated by large corporate media entities,  have a completely online presence, or have changed their billing policies. Both in Hudson and in Framingham (where I serve on the PB), the regional newspaper, the MetroWest Daily News is requiring "pre-payment" for all legal advertisements instead of the traditional third-party billing method.  Thankfully in Hudson we have another newspaper that publishes locally, although their deadlines completely changed our submission deadlines for PB ZBA, as they only publish once a week.  In Framingham, the only other local newspaper is 100% online,  so Framingham will most likely have to raise fees for application filings to cover the pre-payment in order to ensure the provisions of 40A Section 11 are met. I should note that legal advertisements are not cheap!

What a headache!  Anyone else facing this issue?

Best,
Kristina






Kristina Johnson, AICP
Director of Planning & Community Development
Town of Hudson,  MA
President, Mass. Association of Planning Directors
Tel: 978-562-2989
Cell:  857-939-3427
Email: kjohnson at townofhudson.org<mailto:kjohnson at townofhudson.org>
Acta non verba



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