[Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing

[Kristin Kassner]

Good morning,
    The proposed legislation envisions a training module similar to ethics
and conflict of interest where it is designed to be not more than an hour
or so, online and availible on demand. The training would cover the body of
law and regulations that govern the job of a land use board member. There
will be opportunity for a deeper dive on all topics if desired but not
required. The legislation can be found here:
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2299

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at
Kristin.Kassner at mahouse.gov

I have other planning related bills including site plan review. All can be
found here: https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/K_K2

Thank you,

Kristin

Kristin E. Kassner, AICP
State Representative - 2nd Essex
PO BOX 652
Ipswich, MA 01938
*Website: KristinKassner.org*


On Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 9:27 AM Edgartown Planning Board via MassPlanners <
massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:

> Greetings -
>
> I for one would be interested to get some feedback from town employees
> about this.  I'm personally of mixed feelings:
>
> On the one hand:  It's hard to get volunteers to step-up, collect
> signatures, run for office, and stay committeed for a 3 to 5 year period of
> time.  Adding the additional burden of training requirements - even if free
> - might be the feather to tip the scales for some.
>
> On the other hand, I've seen my share of really (putting it nicely)
> uninformed folks, who don't understand the essential responsibilities of
> the board.  The issue isn't those who are less educated, or even folks with
> an axe to grind, bur rather... well, you know the old saying: if all you
> have in the toolbox is a hammer, all the world looks like a nail.
> Attorneys will spend half the meeting arguing about the language; builders
> will spend half the meeting arguing about methods and materials of
> construction; realtors will spend half the meeting arguing in favor of
> 'improved real-estate values' and so on.  Having basic education in their
> responsibilities as a board would be at least a step towards reining this
> in.
>
> - Doug.
>    Westhampton nee Edgartown.
>
> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 6:46 AM Ralph Willmer via MassPlanners <
> massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
>
>> Hello -
>>
>> I wanted to alert everyone that on June 10th, the Municipalities and
>> Regional Government Committee will be holding a hearing at 1 pm (Room B-1
>> and virtual) on some legislation of interest to planners. Among the bills
>> to be heard is H. 2299 regarding mandatory training for planning and zoning
>> boards and H. 2300 regarding associate members to planning boards. Written
>> testimony will be accepted until June 24th.
>>
>> You can find details about the hearing and each of the bills at
>> https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5212.
>>
>> Ralph Willmer, FAICP
>> MA Chapter Legislative & Policy Officer
>> Chair, Citizen Planner Training Collaborative
>> --
>> MassPlanners mailing list
>> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
>> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
>>
>
>
> --
> The Edgartown Planning Board
> PO Box 5130
> Edgartown, MA 01027
> 413-627-6170
> --
> MassPlanners mailing list
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
>
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