[Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing

Tue Jun 17 20:58:04 EDT 2025

Ralph, 

Thanks for the reminder. I think it’s a great idea to require training for Planning Board and ZBA members. 

Serving on a board that regulates land use is serious business. There is a natural ongoing tension between local boards with a job to do, developers trying to make a profit, and individuals who may be affected by new construction. It seems like we should be doing everything we can to help Board members be, and feel, knowledgeable and capable of making good decisions in this setting. If the training is mandatory, Board members will need to make time for it. Hopefully they can see it as increasing their effectiveness, and it won’t be a huge burden.

Laura Harbottle AICP

Town Planner, Retired

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Ralph Willmer via MassPlanners
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 12:42 PM
To: Gary Bechtholdt <gbechtholdt at northbridgemass.org>
Cc: Mass Planners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing

Hello -

Just a reminder to submit comments to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on this bill by June 24th. See https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5212 for more information.

Ralph Willmer, FAICP

MA Chapter Legislative & Policy Officer

Chair, Citizen Planner Training Collaborative

On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 11:37 AM Gary Bechtholdt <gbechtholdt at northbridgemass.org <mailto:gbechtholdt at northbridgemass.org> > wrote:

Richard & others:

I concur, perhaps if this legislation was to pass -a Planning Board (and/or Zoning Board, separate or jointly) could annually dedicate a public meeting specific to this training.

This would accomplish two-things: (1) satisfy the training requirements & (2) provide opportunity for the public to also attend, and learn more about the roles of their local Planning Board and ZBA.  If/when new members were appointed after the annual meeting dedicated to training, those could participate via a separate online training session.

Just a thought,

-Gary 

R. Gary Bechtholdt II, Director 

Northbridge Community Planning & Development

1679 Providence Road Northbridge, MA 01534

(508) 234-2447

 <https://www.northbridgemass.org/> https://www.northbridgemass.org/ 

Mailing Address:

Northbridge Memorial Town Hall

7 Main Street

Whitinsville, MA 01588

WE MOVED!

Our new address is: 1679 PROVIDENCE ROAD NORTHBRIDGE, MA  01534

Building, Conservation, Health Department, Planning, & Zoning Board now located in separate wing of new Fire Station. 

Those visiting municipal offices shall proceed up driveway (stay to far left) parking available front/side of building.

From: MassPlanners < <mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Richard Jordan via MassPlanners
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2025 10:13 AM
To: Edgartown Planning Board < <mailto:planningboard at edgartown-ma.us> planningboard at edgartown-ma.us>; Ralph Willmer < <mailto:ralphwillmer.apa at gmail.com> ralphwillmer.apa at gmail.com>; Maren Toohill < <mailto:MToohill at littletonma.org> MToohill at littletonma.org>
Cc: Mass Planners < <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org> massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing

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

 <mailto:Email%C2%A0:> Email :  <mailto: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 < <mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> on behalf of Maren Toohill via MassPlanners < <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org> massplanners at masscptc.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2025 9:42 AM
To: Edgartown Planning Board < <mailto:planningboard at edgartown-ma.us> planningboard at edgartown-ma.us>; Ralph Willmer < <mailto:ralphwillmer.apa at gmail.com> ralphwillmer.apa at gmail.com>
Cc: Mass Planners < <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org> 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

 <mailto:MToohill at littletonma.org> MToohill at littletonma.org

Town of Littleton

From: MassPlanners < <mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Edgartown Planning Board via MassPlanners
Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2025 9:24 AM
To: Ralph Willmer < <mailto:ralphwillmer.apa at gmail.com> ralphwillmer.apa at gmail.com>
Cc: Mass Planners < <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org> massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing

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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 <mailto: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

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