Development of Metro Boston is driven in large part through decisions made by citizen boards and committees.  In order to make informed decisions, citizen boards and committees need training and education about planning issues and the regulatory environment.  

Planning Boards, Zoning Boards of Appeals, Boards of Health, and Conservation Commissions are all responsible for the implementation of state and local planning and development controls; their perspective and understanding of regulation and planning issues influences the decisions they make.  Many other citizen committees participate in development decisions less directly, through Master Plan committees, Community Preservation Committees, and other advisory or planning bodies. 
Many training opportunities already exist but are poorly utilized, and many board members have no formal training associated with their very important role as regulators.  MAPC, state agencies, educational institutions, and service providers should collaborate to expand access to such training.  

Board and committee members should consider it their obligation to participate in such training opportunities on a regular basis, and chief municipal officials and citizen board chairs should reinforce this expectation.  Professional planners must participate in continuing education in order to maintain their status as a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.  Similarly, municipalities might consider requiring board members to participate in continuing education in order to be eligible for reappointment or reelection (with the recognition that restrictions on the eligibility for elected positions may require enabling legislation).  

Absent a mandate for citizen board and committee members to be certified, a focus on board development as part of regular activities, as well as dissemination of information on training opportunities, could effectively create a culture in which regular training is expected and received.

The Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC) is a critical resource for local planning and zoning officials.  CPTC provides workshops and trainings, examples of proposed and existing municipal bylaws, a Planner’s Toolkit, planning links, and information on further training programs and conferences.  CPTC already offers two levels of certification, and is considering offering a third.  This certification could provide an objective benchmark to determine whether board members are meeting continuing education expectations.  

Other states require training of planning, zoning, and other pertinent board members as a precondition for current and future board members.  In New Jersey, legislation requires board members to attend training courses.  The purpose of the course is to provide a uniform educational experience for all planning and zoning board members throughout the state and to provide the basic practical information they will need to fulfill their responsibilities.  

The Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) provides discounts on insurance for completion of specified training programs.  This adds a more immediate fiscal reason for communities to ensure that all pertinent board members have completed specified training, as it will both lower the municipality’s insurance rates and ensure that their boards have the capacity to make informed planning decisions.

2.a    MAPC should collaborate with stakeholders and service providers to expand opportunities for training and education

2.b    Board and Commission members should participate in relevant training opportunities

2.c    Municipalities should establish expectations for continuing training prior to reelection or reappointment

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