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After 37 years as a valued member of the Mount Washington Planning Board, Morgan Bulkeley has decided to step down from the board. We are sorry to see him go, and will always be grateful for his contributions to our town over the years. Our town is better because of his efforts, wisdom, and commitment. When you see Morgan, please join us in thanking him for his service to our community!

Morgan’s departure leaves a vacancy on our Planning Board. Any town resident who is a registered voter and who has an interest in this position should, by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 21st, email Keith Torrico, Chairman of the Planning Board (keithtorrico@townofmtwashington.com) as well as to all three members of the Selectboard, Jim Lovejoy (jimlovejoy@townofmtwashington.com), Brian Tobin (briantobin@townofmtwashington.com), and Eric Mendelsohn (ericmendelsohn@townofmtwashington.com).

The planning board meets roughly once a month and all members are expected to attend all meetings either in person or remotely. Please note this appointment will fill the role on the board until our next election. At that time the appointee may fill out nomination papers and run for the duration of Morgan’s term or any other interested community member could run for a full term. More information on the role of the board is below.

Role of the Planning Board

The establishment of municipal Planning Boards is authorized by Massachusetts General Law, chapter 41, section 81A. Among its many diverse roles, the Planning Board is charged with the following duties, paraphrased here from the Mass. General Law:

• Drafting and submitting zoning amendments when there is interest by townspeople to do so or when there is necessity.
• Adopting a master plan (If deemed necessary) and official map of the city or town.
• Conducting studies, and, when necessary, preparing plans of the resources, possibilities and needs of the city or town for submission to the Selectmen for their consideration.
• Serving as the special permit granting authority (i.e. Special Permit).
• Serving as Site Plan Review Authority (When applicable).
• Is always the “party of interest” in administrative appeals, special permit applications, and variance petitions within the municipality and in adjacent cities and towns.
• Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, 15C, the Scenic Roads Act, the Planning Board is enabled to recommend roads for municipal consideration, and empowers the planning board to oversee specified activities.
• Serving as the local authority for the Subdivision Control Act; adopting Rules and Regulations governing the subdivision of land; reviewing all preliminary and definitive plan submittals.

Thank you again to Morgan, and to all community members interested in stepping up and participating in our wonderful town’s local government!