Introductory Packet For Commissioners and Alternates TABLE OF CONTENTS THE MERRIMACK VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION Letter from the Chairperson MVPC HISTORY Questions Most Frequently Asked ............................................................. 1 Bylaws of the MVPC ................................................................................ 22 Special Legislation of the MVPC .............................................................. 36 Regional Goals and Policies .................................................................... 38 MVPC Policy on Conflict of Interest ......................................................... 41 Statute of Limitations ............................................................................... 51 Chapter 40B of the MGL (“Regional Planning Law”) ................................ 52 MVPC COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF Commissioners and Alternates ................................................................ 66 Committee Assignments .......................................................................... 68 Staff ......................................................................................................... 70 PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (LTA) MISCELLANEOUS • Massachusetts Regional Planning Agencies • Parliamentary Procedure • “Your Regional Council-Getting Acquainted” • Techniques Dear Commissioner/Alternate: Congratulations on your appointment as Commissioner to the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. Your valuable professional experience, commitment to your community’s priorities and economic resiliency, and willingness to think broadly in a regional context are the qualities that help make the Commission a successful partner. This is a place where your contributions will be valued and will ultimately help make Merrimack Valley an even more desirable place to live, work, learn and play. The Commission, an independent subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is charged by M.G.L. Chapter 40B to perform the regional planning functions for the 15 cities and towns which comprise this district, including transportation, environmental and economic programs. The Commission also provides Local Technical Assistance (LTA) Program to individual cities and towns, as well as being called upon by state and federal agencies to represent our communities in many other ways. The staff at the Commission has prepared a package of materials to aid you as you assume your new position as a Commissioner or Alternate, not to mention the staff and I are available for any further assistance or information. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you should have any questions. Very truly yours, Theresa Park Chairman Merrimack Valley Planning Commission History The Central Merrimack Valley Regional Planning District was established as a public body corporate in accordance with Section 3, Chapter 40B of the General Laws, as amended. The Organizational meeting was held on July 10, 1959 and, pursuant to the provisions of said Section, on October 14, 1959 the then Department of Commerce (now Department of Commerce and Development) defined the area of jurisdiction of the Central Merrimack Valley Regional Planning District as composed of its constituent municipalities; namely, the City of Lawrence, and the Towns of Andover, Methuen and North Andover. On August 10, 1966 the area of jurisdiction was expanded to include the City of Haverhill and the Towns of Boxford, Groveland, Georgetown, Merrimac and West Newbury, but only Haverhill, Merrimac and West Newbury voted to join the District at that time. In 1968, The Town of Groveland voted to join the District. On July 3, 1968 the area of jurisdiction was expanded to include the City of Newburyport and the Towns of Amesbury, Newbury, Rowley and Salisbury, but only Newburyport and Amesbury voted to join the District. In 1971 Georgetown and Salisbury voted to join the District. In 1977 the Town of Newbury voted to join the District, in 1979 the Town of Rowley voted to join the District, and in 2000 the Town of Boxford voted to join the District. During 1971 the District voted to change its name to the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. The Merrimack Valley Planning District presently consists of 15 cities, towns, namely, the five cities of Amesbury, Haverhill, Lawrence, Newburyport and Methuen and 10 towns; Andover, Boxford, Groveland, Georgetown, Merrimac, Newbury, North Andover, West Newbury, Rowley and Salisbury. Each community is represented by one member and one alternate appointed by the Mayor, Town Manager or Board of Selectmen. In 1984 the MVPC secured passage of a provision that allows for the appointment of a Representative at Large that represents the area’s minorities. The Commission was established primarily to assist a city or town to plan jointly with other cities and towns, and to promote with the greatest efficiency and economy the coordinated and orderly development of areas within its jurisdiction and the general welfare and prosperity of its citizens. The Commission members and alternates receive no compensation other than reimbursement for certain allowable expenses. The Commission is directed by statute to make careful studies of the District’s resources, possibilities and needs and, on the basis of such comprehensive study plans, to recommend undertakings for the physical, social and economic improvement of the District. QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED Q. What does MVPC stand for? A. MVPC is an acronym that stands for the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. Q. How long has the Commission been in existence? A. The Commission was established in 1959, in accordance with Section 3, Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended. At that time the Department of Commerce and Development (now the Executive Office of Communities and Development) defined the area of jurisdiction as the City of Lawrence, and the Towns of Andover, Methuen, and North Andover. The Commission was known as the Central Merrimack Valley Regional Planning District. In 1966, the area of jurisdiction was expanded to include the City of Haverhill and the Towns of Boxford, Groveland, Georgetown, Merrimac, and West Newbury. Again in 1968, the area of jurisdiction was expanded to include the City of Newburyport and the Towns of Amesbury, Newbury, Rowley, and Salisbury. In 1971, the Commission changed its name to the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) to better define its regional membership. Q. What level of Government is the MVPC? A. The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission is a regional planning agency (one of the 13 throughout the Commonwealth). It is a voluntary association of Cities and Towns formed under the provisions of Chapter 40B of the General Statutes. Chapter 40B is often referred to as "The Regional Planning Law." Q. How is the Commission funded? A. The Commission is funded through grants and contracts entered into with the Federal Government, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and local Cities and Towns. Most of the Federal and State grants and contracts require a match either in cash or in services performed in lieu of cash and is met by an assessment levied on the member cities and towns. These assessments are apportioned among the member communities on a per capita basis according to the most recent national census. 1 Q. What people make up the Commission? A. The Commission is comprised of one Commissioner and one Alternate from each member community as well as a Commission staff. Some Commissioners are appointed by and are a member of his/her local Planning Board (there are exceptions where special legislation allows the Chief Elected Officials appointing authority). The Alternate – is appointed annually by the Mayor, Town Manager, or Board of Selectmen. Annually, during the first regular meeting in May, the Commission members elect a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The Staff - The Commission employs an Executive Director and Assistant Director. The Executive Director is empowered by the Commission to hire and retain a planning and support staff to conduct the business of the Commission. All appointments are confirmed by the Commission. Committees - To further facilitate Commission activities, various committees are set up. The committees include any one of a combination of Commissioners, interested citizens, funding agency representatives and Staff. Q. What services does the Commission offer its member Communities? A. The Commission studies the resources, problems, possibilities and needs of the region, and formulates broad and detailed comprehensive plans based on these studies. The Commission is also involved in implementing some of these plans. The major areas of study are: • Transportation • Housing, Community Development and Land Use • Economic Development • Environmental Management • Regionalization of Services • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) In addition, the Commission offers each member community a predetermined amount of hours per year of Local Technical Assistance time (LTA). The community may use its LTA time in any way it wishes within the expertise of the Commission Staff. The Commission also makes itself available to each individual community to do planning studies or administer grants for their city or town. This work is done on a contractual basis. 2 Q. What is Regional Planning and why is it important? A. Regional Planning is the study of, and proposing solutions to, problems that occur