Planning Board
The general purpose of the Planning Board is to provide for and guide the orderly growth and development of the community. This is accomplished primarily through development of a Master Plan for the Town, the Zoning Bylaw, and the Planning Board's Rules and Regulations Governing Subdivision of Land.
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Richard F. Gosselin, Jr. | Chairperson |
| Paul A. Piktelis | Vice Chairperson |
| Bruce M. DeVault | Clerk |
| Francis P. DeSimone | Member |
| Tony Ngo | Member |
Notes: Mathew J. Ashmankas resigned on April 25, 2022, followed by Bruce M. DeVault's reelection on April 26, 2022. Francis P. DeSimone was elected on the same day to serve the remainder of Mathew J. Ashmankas' two-year term. Richard F. Gosselin, Jr. was reelected on April 25, 2023, alongside Tony Ngo's election. Terry Burke Dotson did not secure reelection, thus ending her term on April 25, 2023. After the April 25, 2023 election, the Planning Board reorganized on May 8, 2023, electing Richard F. Gosselin, Jr. as Chairperson, Paul A. Piktelis as Vice Chairperson, and Bruce M. DeVault as Clerk. Francis P. DeSimone and Paul A. Piktelis were reelected for three-year terms on April 30, 2024.
Statutory Planning Board Duties Under Massachusetts General Laws
MGL Chapter 41, §81A
Establishes planning boards whereby a planning board shall adopt a master plan and an official map of the city or town. The Town of Millbury Planning Board provides general planning such as: adopting the Master Plan, assisting in economic development and open space and recreation planning, and also endorsing the housing production plan.
MGL Chapter 41, §§81K-GG
The Subdivision Control Act, delegates municipal powers chiefly to the Planning Board. The Board adopts subdivision rules for the municipality. The Planning Board also reviews definitive plan submittals with participation from the Board of Health. When the boundary lines of any lot are altered an application must be filed with the Planning Board. There are two types of applications:
Approval Not Required (ANR) – If the land has at least 150’ frontage on an existing street, the applicant must file an ANR for endorsement. An ANR simply means that a full subdivision is not required. Endorsement of an ANR does not imply the newly created lot is buildable. The building inspector/zoning enforcement officer makes this determination.
Full Subdivision – If the land is being divided into lots that require construction of roadways a full subdivision is required. Unlike an ANR subdivided lots must conform to current zoning.
MGL Chapter 40A, the Zoning Act
Places the Planning Board in several key roles. Its primary duties include zoning, special permits and site plan review.
Zoning: MGL Chapter 40A, §5
Authorizes it to draft and submit zoning amendments for consideration by the municipality. When a zoning amendment has been put forward, the planning board holds the public hearing and may also report its recommendation to town meeting. The Planning Board provides recommendations on citizen’s petitions for road acceptances.
Special Permits: MGL Chapter 40A, §9
Provides the framework for the Planning Board to serve as the special permit granting authority under Town of Millbury Zoning Bylaws.
Site Plan Review
The Planning Board serves as the site plan review authority, as provided by the Town of Millbury Zoning Bylaws. The Board review plans for compliance with specific performance standards as identified by the Bylaw and the associated Rules & Regulations.
In addition, the Planning Board is always a "party in interest" in administrative appeals, special permit applications, and variance petitions within the municipality and in adjacent cities and towns and must consent whenever a repetitive petition is considered within two years after initial rejection (MGL Chapter 40A §16).