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MONTACHUSETT REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Serving the Montachusett Region Since 1968 |
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Home Departments Documents Calendars Agendas Staff Links About MRPC |
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Montachusett
Regional 1427R Water Street Fitchburg, MA 01420
Tel. 978-345-7376 Fax. 978-348-2490 email: mrpc@mrpc.org
Executive Director
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Administration Executive Director Notes/ Commission Officers/ Membership Appointment/ Regional Planning Law |
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Executive Director Notes On behalf of the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) we would like to welcome you to our updated website. We hope that you will find the information useful. Should you have any suggestions concerning how to improve this site, please contact us.
Please be advised that: · The Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) was created in 1968 under the Regional Planning Law (MGL Chapter 40B), see below for details. · The Planning Commission is comprised of 22 member municipalities. · All communities are eligible to appoint “members and “alternates” to the Planning Commission (see Member Appointment Policy below).
Victor Koivumaki – Chairman Paula Caron – Vice Chairman James Meehan, Treasurer Robert Grubb, Assistant Treasurer Chris Jones, Secretary
*Commission officers are nominated in May of each year with an election in June. |
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News & Announcements Appointment/Re-Appointment Time Beginning in April, the MRPC will be sending Appointment/Re-Appointment forms to its member communities for their Commission members. If you are a current member, please keep an eye out at your Selectmen's or Planning Board's office for the form. If you would like to be a representative for your community, contact your local boards to express your interest. Copies of the form are also available on our Documents page. |
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The MRPC employs 16 staff members. Staff consists of a lead staff person, the Executive Director, and planning and administrative staff to carry out the directives of the Planning Commissioners.
Should you need to address a local planning or development issue or need services in the disciplines of Comprehensive Planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Transportation/Transit Planning, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to discuss how we may be able to assist you and your community.
MRPC is composed of representatives from each member community. Each community is represented by two delegates; consisting of one member of the planning board of each city and town and an alternate who shall be a resident of the city or town represented appointed by the mayor in a city or the selectmen in a town. Members and alternates are appointed annually. To download a copy of the member/alternate appointment form, see the Documents page. |
Quick Hits MRPC Organizational Chart An Organizational Chart of the MRPC Departments and Staff is available for viewing. Please use the link below to see a pdf file of the chart.
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The full Commission meets monthly to:
Ø Work with its 22 member communities to access state and federal resources on behalf of its cities and towns to address planning and development issues. Ø Provide guidance and oversight on policies affecting land use. Ø Monitor staff planning projects delivered to local, state and federal entities. Ø Provide comments upon land development projects to communities and applicable state agencies. Ø Provide planning and technical assistance to its communities as needed.
As part of its decision making process the MRPC follows Regional Goals, Polices and Strategies adopted in 1977 and revised in 2002.
Thank you,
Glenn P. Eaton Executive Director |
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“The Regional Planning Law” is the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40B (MGL Ch. 40B section 1).
This laws purpose is to “plan jointly” with municipalities (MGL Ch. 40B section 2).
The town meeting (in a town) or city council (in a city) are the only entities allowed to “consent” to joining a “regional or district grouping” (MGL Ch. 40B section 2A).
“Any grouping of cities and towns” may “create a planning district”, which shall constitute a public body corporate. (MGL Ch. 40B section 3).
Every “planning district” shall have a “district planning commission.” Each community will be represented by “one member of each planning board and an alternate designee” (Appointed by the chief elected official or chief executive officer [city or town manager]) (MGL Ch. 40B section 4).
At least two-thirds of the “members of the district planning commission” may establish an Executive Committee, elected annually from the membership. If “…authorized by two-thirds vote…” of the Planning Commission, the Executive Committee may employ staff, retain consultants, disburse common funds, approve the warrant, borrow funds in anticipation of revenue, apply for federal, state or local aid, review proposals of a regional intercommunity nature, propose zoning changes, provide planning related advice, and establish technical advisory committees” (MGL Ch. 40B section 4A).
An Executive Committee shall report its actions to the Planning Commission, “at least quarterly…”
Authority to exercise any functions on behalf of the Planning Commission shall be given by the Planning Commission, by a two-thirds vote…“of the members annually, and may be terminated by the Planning Commission after the Executive Committee has been notified thirty days in advance” (MGL Ch. 40B section 4A)
The Planning Commission may have a “seal consisting of a civic… (?)” The seal must include the words “Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ________________ Regional Planning District, (insert year)” (MGL Ch. 40B section 4B).
“Federal military installations within districts…” with a resident population of at least five hundred persons may all of the commanding officer Ex Officio (non-voting) membership to the Planning Commission (MGL Ch. 40B section 4C).
A regional planning commission has certain powers and duties and shall provide certain reports to its members. A “comprehensive plan” of schematic study plan of such district shall include the…“resources, problems, possibilities and needs” of the respective district. The planning commission shall hold a public hearing prior to adoption of such a plan. A planning commission shall report annually to its municipalities…“showing the status of its plans and recommendations” (advisory only) (MGL Ch. 40B section 5A).
A planning commission may be engaged to conduct “…water favorability studies…” with a “….water resources commission…” as authorized by “Chapter 21…” of the Massachusetts General Laws. Municipalities shall be assessed for the costs related to the completion of such a study in accordance with MGL Ch. 40B, Sec. 7. (MGL Ch. 40B section 5A)
The “district planning commission may...” create an economic development regional for its communities in accordance with the provisions of the (federal) public works and Economic Development Act of 1965. (The MRPC received designation as the Montachusett Economic Development District in April 2003 by the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, U.S. Department of Commerce) (MGL Ch. 40B section 5B).
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, (departments and divisions) may cooperate with the district planning commission any municipalities. (MGL Ch. 40B section 5).
In February of each year the commission shall estimate its costs for the following fiscal year. The commission is authorized to receive …“grants, requests, gifts or contributions made by the federal, state or municipal governments or any individual, corporation or association” also. (MGL Ch. 40B section 7)
A commission may enter into “…planning studies and services…” contracts with the federal or strategy government of any city or town.
A planning district may authorize debt, to be repaid within one year, an amount not to exceed what is to be “…received during the current fiscal year from member cities and towns.” MGL Chapter 44, Section 17 applies to borrowings of a planning district (MGL Ch. 40B section 17) |
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