(State Regulations for land use boards can be found in the New Hampshire Revised Annotated Statutes (RSA's) at Chapter 674, Local Land Use Planning and Regulatory Powers.? You may view this chapter here:? http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/lxiv/674/674-mrg.htm?)

TOWN OF EATON, NEW HAMPSHIRE

PLANNING BOARD

BY-LAWS

?

ARTICLE I????? NAME: The name shall be the "Town of Eaton Planning Board" referred to hereafter as The "Board".

ARTICLE II?????PURPOSE:???? The purpose of the Board is to plan for orderly short- and long-term development of the Master Plan and to adopt and administer such regulations that fall within its jurisdiction.

ARTICLE III????MEMBERSHIP:???? The Board shall consist of seven members. All members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen, and one ex-officio member shall serve as the Selectmen?s representative. All seven members have the power to vote. The Board of Selectmen may also appoint up to 5 alternates to serve in the absence of regular members. Selection, qualifications, terms, removal of members, and filling of vacancies shall conform with RSA 673:5-14.

ARTICLE IV??? OFFICERS:???? The Board shall annually elect three officers. The officers are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary. Voting for officers may be by ballot if requested by a majority of members present.

ARTICLE V????? DUTIES OF OFFICERS:

  1. CHAIRMAN: The chairman shall call the meeting to order, preside over the deliberations, ensure that all proceedings are held in accordance with Town and State law, appoint committees, prepare an annual report, and perform other duties customary to the office.
  2. VICE-CHAIRMAN: In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall perform duties of the Chairman.
  3. SECRETARY: The Secretary shall keep a full and accurate record of all proceedings, issue notices of all meetings, prepare correspondence, and perform other duties customary to the office or as directed by the Chairman.

ARTICLE VI??? EMPLOYEES/CONTRACTORS: The Board, at its discretion, may utilize the services of Town Employees and/or Contractors as needed. Specific Duties shall be assigned by the Board.

ARTICLE VII???COMMITTEES:
A.???The Board may establish advisory committees by a majority vote.? Such committees shall report directly to the Planning Board.
B.?? Committee members shall be Eaton residents, and at least one member shall be a member of the Planning Board appointed by the Chairman.
C.?? Upon creation of a committee, the Board shall establish by a majority vote the following:
????? 1.? The number of committee members;
????? 2.? A clear statement of assignment;
????? 3.? The time frame for fulfilling assigned duties; and
????? 4.? Progress reports and final work product expected.
ARTICLE VIII????MEETINGS:
A.??? Regular meetings shall be held at least monthly.? The date, time and place of regular meetings shall be selected by majority vote of the Board.
B.??? A meeting may be postponed by the Chairman upon written request by four members of the Board, and provided all members are so notified.? However, the Board shall hold at least one meeting each month as required by RSA 673:10,II.
C.??? The order of business at regular meetings shall be as follows:
????? 1.? Call to order by the Chairman
????? 2.? Roll call by the Secretary
????? 3.? Appointment of alternates by the Chairman, as necessary
????? 4.? Review of minutes
????? 5.? Meeting business
????? 6.? Other business
????? 7.? Adjournment
D.??? Special meetings may be called by the Chairman, or in his absence, by the Vice-Chairman or upon written request by four members of the Board.? The day, time and place of special meetings shall be selected by the Chairman.? No business shall be acted upon unless a quorum is present.? Public notice shall be provided as specified in RSA 91-A:2,II.
ARTICLE IX?? PUBLIC HEARINGS:?? The conduct of public hearings shall be governed by the following:
A.??? The chairman shall open the public hearing and report on the matter for which notice was given.
B.??? The applicant shall be called to present the proposal.
C.??? The Chairman shall allow all those in attendance to have an opportunity to speak regarding the proposal. The Chairman shall allow each individual an opportunity to speak before allowing anyone to speak a second time and may take action to avoid repetition of discussion.
D.??? All discussion shall be directed to the Chairman.
E.??? After all comments have been received, the Chairman shall either close or continue the hearing. The date, time and place of every continuance shall be specified in the motion for such action.
?ARTICLE X???? RULES OF PROCEDURE
  1. The Board may adopt such Rules of Procedure as it deems necessary to conduct business, provided that such rules comply with the following provisions.
  2. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. No business may be transacted without a quorum, but a lesser number may meet and adjourn.
  3. A motion, duly seconded, shall be carried when a majority of members present and voting vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE XI???? SUSPENSION OF RULES: These By-Laws may be temporarily suspended by an affirmative vote of at least five members.

ARTICLE XII????AMENDING THE RULES: These BY-LAWS may be amended by vote of the Board, provided that such amendment is read at two successive meetings immediately preceding the meeting at which the vote is to be taken.

These by-Laws were adopted on October 17th, 1990.

ARTICLE XIII???STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

A.??? The primary obligation of Planning Board members is to serve the public interest, and to conduct themselves to maintain public confidence in the Planning Board and conduct of its business.

B.??? To avoid conflict of interest, or even the appearance of impropriety, any member who may receive some private benefit from a public Planning Board decision, must not participate in that decision. An official with a conflict of interest is expected to make that interest public, and abstain from the voting on the matter and step down from the Board while the issue is discussed.

C.??? All Board members share a responsibility to enforce adherence to the standards of conduct. If a member believes another member or members is in violation of these standards, she/he shall call it to the attention of the Chairman, who, in turn, shall call it to the attention of the member(s) in question. In the event of a dispute as to whether a member should or should not participate, the question shall be resolved by the Board.?

This amendment was added March 17, 1993.
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