Bill > H2300

This bill amends Massachusetts state law to provide municipalities with more flexibility in establishing and using associate members on their local planning boards. Specifically, the bill allows cities and towns to create associate member positions on their planning boards, with the number of associate members tied to the total board size: one associate member can be authorized for a five-member board, and two associate members can be authorized for boards with more than five members. These associate members can be appointed to temporarily replace regular board members who are absent, unable to act, have a conflict of interest, or when there is a vacancy on the board. Each municipality will have the authority to determine its own procedure for selecting and appointing associate members. The associate members can participate fully in board activities, including matters related to zoning, planning, and other local governance responsibilities. This change gives local governments more administrative flexibility in managing their planning boards and ensures continuity of board operations when regular members cannot serve.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2300