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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Rick<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This has been a problem in many of the towns and cities I have worked for. No need to repeat everything eloquently stated previously but yes I\u2019ve failed to get any members to attend CTPS or take advantage of online resources. I created
a series of PPT slide shows on specific training modules that I gave to our Board in Harvard a few years back and it seemed to be appreciated if not fully absorbed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I do not profess to be a champion trainer but would be glad to share the files if anyone was interested in using or adapting. I\u2019d also welcome feedback to make them more robust and maybe allow me to do a voice over for them so they could
be posted for our current members in Belmont.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just a thought.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Chris<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Richard Jordan via MassPlanners<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, June 5, 2025 10:13 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Edgartown Planning Board <planningboard@edgartown-ma.us>; Ralph Willmer <ralphwillmer.apa@gmail.com>; Maren Toohill <MToohill@littletonma.org><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Mass Planners <massplanners@masscptc.org><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [EXTERNAL]Re: [Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt;background:#FFEB9C"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#9C6500">CAUTION:</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"> This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:black">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.. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:black">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? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:black">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="elementtoproof"><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:#174E86">Richard Jordan (Rick)</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="elementtoproof"><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:#174E86">Avon Town Planner</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="elementtoproof" style="background:white"><u><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:#174E86"><a href="mailto:Email :"><span style="color:#174E86">Email :</span></a></span></u><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:#174E86">
<u><a href="mailto:RJordan@avon-ma.gov"><span style="color:#174E86">RJordan@avon-ma.gov</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="elementtoproof"><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:#174E86">65 E. Main Street-Avon, MA 02322</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="elementtoproof"><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif;color:#174E86">P:
<span style="background:white">774-480-1682</span> at Town Hall</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="elementtoproof"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"> <img border="0" width="62" height="61" style="width:.6458in;height:.6354in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DBD605.5B212140"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="elementtoproof" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos;color:#215E99"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">From:</span></b><span style="color:black"> MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org">massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org</a>> on behalf of Maren Toohill via MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, June 5, 2025 9:42 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Edgartown Planning Board <<a href="mailto:planningboard@edgartown-ma.us">planningboard@edgartown-ma.us</a>>; Ralph Willmer <<a href="mailto:ralphwillmer.apa@gmail.com">ralphwillmer.apa@gmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Mass Planners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:Aptos">Very well said; thank you for weighing in!</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Aptos">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.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Aptos">Maren</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Aptos"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p>Maren A. Toohill, AICP<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p>Town Planner<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p>978/540-2425<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><u><span style="color:#0563C1"><a href="mailto:MToohill@littletonma.org"><span style="color:#0563C1">MToohill@littletonma.org</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p>Town of Littleton<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Aptos"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p><b>From:</b> MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org">massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Edgartown Planning Board via MassPlanners<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, June 5, 2025 9:24 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Ralph Willmer <<a href="mailto:ralphwillmer.apa@gmail.com">ralphwillmer.apa@gmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Mass Planners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Massplanners] Upcoming legislative hearing<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border:solid red 1.0pt;padding:2.0pt 2.0pt 2.0pt 2.0pt">
<p style="line-height:12.0pt;background:#FF9C9C"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#CC0000">Warning \u2013</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"> THIS EMAIL WAS SENT BY AN EXTERNAL SENDER</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">Greetings - <br>
<br>
I for one would be interested to get some feedback from town employees about this. I'm personally of mixed feelings: <br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
- Doug.<br>
Westhampton nee Edgartown. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 6:46</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">\u202f</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">AM Ralph Willmer via MassPlanners <<u><span style="color:blue"><a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a></span></u>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">Hello -<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">You can find details about the hearing and each of the bills at
<u><span style="color:blue"><a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fmalegislature.gov%2fEvents%2fHearings%2fDetail%2f5212&c=E,1,-zppNMtKS8qyHQu3QxgN9ieuB46FHS4TrJ7k58PRQr1DIO2RH8SDwFQ2oyiLiYOzfMsjNS-mcvI9AH3Te-OpZyBCFzfMmQn3o7PH5JPIsgWA&typo=1">https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5212</a></span></u>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">Ralph Willmer, FAICP<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">MA Chapter Legislative & Policy Officer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">Chair, Citizen Planner Training Collaborative<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">--<br>
MassPlanners mailing list<br>
<u><span style="color:blue"><a href="mailto:MassPlanners@masscptc.org">MassPlanners@masscptc.org</a></span></u><br>
<u><span style="color:blue"><a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fmasscptc.org%2fmailman%2flistinfo%2fmassplanners_masscptc.org&c=E,1,VYWQxfXeW3UrmFLQYm8Ki-xNiRV5fth57bYobKoZBZczq08Nto12JWVeIpQnpSX6C2yqu5gZzwW789gq4Nbu0ZnHVcigQhRzmHEI-_mDHJU,&typo=1">http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org</a></span></u><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">--<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">The Edgartown Planning Board<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">PO Box 5130<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">Edgartown, MA 01027<br>
413-627-6170<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos">Attention! This e-mail originates outside of the organization. Do not open attachments or click links unless you are sure this email is from a known sender and you know the content is safe. Call the sender
to verify if unsure. Otherwise, delete this e-mail.</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Aptos"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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