The Planning Board is established as authorized under RSA 673:1. The Planning Board, as enumerated in RSA 673:2,II, is composed of 6 elected members. One Selectmen serves as an ex-officio member.
RSA 673:6 notes that up to 5 alternate members may be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The alternates shall assume a seat on the Board in the absence of, or whenever a regular member disqualifies him/herself from a hearing. The alternate member, to sit for a hearing, is designated by the chairperson of the Planning Board.
One member of the Planning Board may be appointed to either the Zoning Board of Adjustment or the Conservation Commission.
The Planning Board's responsibility is to "prepare and amend the master plan to guide the development of the community," to "make any investigations, maps and reports, and recommendations which relate to the planning and development of the community." To recommend capital improvements regarding structures and programs and to recommend their financing. "To recommend . . . amendments" to the zoning ordinance or map, and to promote municipal planning within the community.
The Board reviews, and either approves or disapproves, subdivision applications, and is responsible for site plan review for the development, change, or expansion of use of tracts of land for nonreidential or multi-family dwelling units.
The Planning Board meets the first three weeks of the month on Thursday evenings. Public hearings are scheduled for the first and third weeks of the month, while work sessions are scheduled for the second week of the month.
