[Massplanners] Appointing authorities

[Richard Harris]

I agree with Barbara. Even where Planning Boards are the "legal" appointing
authority, they are not capable of providing the supervision and guidance
that the planner position warrants. It would benefit communities if Boards
looked beyond their "silo" and to the need and benefit of the larger
community.

Thank you

Richard Harris, AICP
PDR, LLC
Planning Consultant
413-335-5012


On Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 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
>
> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not
> click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know
> the content is safe.
> This communication may contain privileged or other confidential
> information. If you are not the intended recipient, or believe that you
> have received this communication in error, please do not print, copy,
> retransmit, disseminate, or otherwise use the information. Also, please
> indicate that to the sender and delete the copy you received. When writing
> or responding, please remember that the Secretary of State’s Office has
> determined that email is a public record. Please take notice: All e-mail
> communications sent or received by persons using the Town of Truro network
> may be subject to disclosure under the Massachusetts Public Records Law
> (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10) and the Federal Freedom of Information Act
> --
> MassPlanners mailing list
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://masscptc.org/pipermail/massplanners_masscptc.org/attachments/20221025/492993d3/attachment.htm>