[Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing

Thu Jun 5 10:27:13 EDT 2025

Such as these upcoming workshops:

https://masscptc.org/index.php/training/webinar-series/

--

Mark Smith
Planning Board, Conservation Commission
Town of Lenox

designink9 at gmail.com

On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM Richard Jordan via MassPlanners <
massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:

> At least 2 or 3 times a year, I inform our ZBA and Planning Board members
> about the availability of upcoming training offered by the Citizen Planner
> Training Collaborative (including the all-day session at Holy Cross in
> Worcester which has been in the March/April timeframe the past 2 years).  I
> make it clear the Town can pay the fee for this training.   Most members do
> not take advantage of the online training, but at least one has.  We have
> difficulty getting membership on our volunteer ZBA but our Planning Board
> is fully staffed with elected members..
>
> Perhaps I need to provide written training materials to the Board members
> since there is reluctance do the online training - such as the 2015
> Planning Board Resource Book or other materials.  Any suggestions for such
> training materials?
>
> I think Rep Kassner's email (to this listserv this morning) clarifies the
> nature of this training - as a one-hour module much like
> conflict-of-interest training.  I think that would be useful.  It is hard
> to imagine that would prevent someone from volunteering for our ZBA as it
> can be done at their leisure.  In contrast, I think the CPTC courses are in
> a specific time window such as 5 pm to 7 pm on a Monday night or similar
> scheduling basis.
>
> Richard Jordan (Rick)
>
> Avon Town Planner
>
> *Email : <Email%C2%A0:>* *RJordan at avon-ma.gov <RJordan at avon-ma.gov>*
>
> 65 E. Main Street-Avon, MA 02322
>
> P: 774-480-1682 at Town Hall
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> on behalf of
> Maren Toohill via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Sent:* Thursday, June 5, 2025 9:42 AM
> *To:* Edgartown Planning Board <planningboard at edgartown-ma.us>; Ralph
> Willmer <ralphwillmer.apa at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* Mass Planners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing
>
>
> Very well said; thank you for weighing in!
>
> Offering my (very biased) opinion. If residents knew that they would be
> provided with appropriate training, perhaps they would feel empowered to
> offer their volunteer services to the Town.
>
> Maren
>
>
>
> Maren A. Toohill, AICP
>
> Town Planner
>
> 978/540-2425
>
> *MToohill at littletonma.org <MToohill at littletonma.org>*
>
> Town of Littleton
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> *On Behalf Of *Edgartown
> Planning Board via MassPlanners
> *Sent:* Thursday, June 5, 2025 9:24 AM
> *To:* Ralph Willmer <ralphwillmer.apa at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* Mass Planners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing
>
>
>
>
>
> *Warning –* THIS EMAIL WAS SENT BY AN EXTERNAL SENDER
>
>
>
> 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
> <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
> <https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5212>*.
>
>
>
> Ralph Willmer, FAICP
>
> MA Chapter Legislative & Policy Officer
>
> Chair, Citizen Planner Training Collaborative
>
> --
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> <http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org>*
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> The Edgartown Planning Board
>
> PO Box 5130
>
> Edgartown, MA 01027
> 413-627-6170
>
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