[Massplanners] Appointing authorities

[Daniel Fortier]

In Dennis the Planner works for the Town Administrator and is a Department
Head. The Select Board makes appointments on the recommendation of the Town
Administrator.

Dan Fortier
Interim Dennis Town Planner
Retired

On Fri, Oct 21, 2022, 8:51 AM Barbara Carboni via MassPlanners <
massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:

> Hi Betsy,
>
> Has anyone looked at the Town's charter (assuming there is one)? Sometimes
> there is specific direction there.
>
> But aside from that, these days, where planners do so much more than work
> with Planning Boards, including projects on their own initiative, a planner
> is a de facto department head if not officially.  It makes more sense for
> the planner to be appointed by, and report to the Town Manager (or Town
> Administrator).  I think in the old days, the town planner position was
> connected very closely with the Subdivision Control law, which made
> reporting to the Planning Board logical.  Now we do so many other things;
> the position has evolved.  Ask me how many committees I staff!!
>
> Barbara
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> on behalf of
> robert leavens via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Sent:* Friday, October 21, 2022 8:21 AM
> *To:* Listserv (massplanners at masscptc.org) <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Subject:* [Massplanners] Appointing authorities
>
> A Friday question for a Friday,
>
> Most recently there has been at least one community who is confused about
> who the appointing authority is for the town planner position.  This is in
> a community with a town manager form of government.  The position appears
> not to be a department head, although there is some debate about that
> designation.
>
> The Planning Board rules and regulations indicate that the Planning Board
> is the appointing authority.  This Planning Board is an elected board,
> which makes them a little more independent than a board appointed by the
> town manager.
>
> I am wondering how many elected planning boards have rules and regulations
> that allow them to appoint their town planner, with the town manager being
> in charge of the administration and finance of the planner position.
>
> I'd appreciate some feedback on this and offer my thanks,
>
> Betsy Ware
> Independent Planning Consultant
>
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