The Subdivision Control Law[1] has been enacted for the purpose of protecting the safety,
convenience and welfare of the habitants of the cities and towns in
which it is or may hereafter be put in effect by regulating the laying
out and construction of ways in subdivisions providing access to the
several lots therein, but which have not become public ways, and ensuring
sanitary conditions in subdivisions and in proper cases parks and
open areas. The powers of a Planning Board and a Board of Appeals
under the Subdivision Control Law[2] shall be exercised with due regard for the provision of
adequate access to all the lots in a subdivision by ways that will
be safe and convenient for travel; for lessening congestion in such
ways and in the adjacent public ways; for reducing danger to life
and limb in the operation of motor vehicles; for securing safety in
the case of fire, flood, panic and other emergencies; for ensuring
compliance with the applicable zoning ordinances or bylaws; for securing
adequate provision for water, sewerage, drainage, underground utility
services, fire, lighting and other requirements where necessary in
a subdivision; and for coordinating the ways of a subdivision with
each other and with the ways in the neighboring subdivisions. Any
subdivision plan filed with the Planning Board shall receive the approval
of such Board if said plan conforms to the recommendations of the
Board of Health and to the Rules & Regulations of the Planning
Board pertaining to subdivisions of land; provided, however, that
said Board may, when appropriate, waive, as provided for in M.G.L.A.
Ch. 41, § 81R, such portion of the Rules & Regulations
as is deemed advisable (M.G.L.A. Ch. 41, § 81M).
Under the authority vested in the Planning Board
of the Town of Ashland by M.G.L.A. C. 41, § 81Q, as amended,
said Board hereby adopts these Rules & Regulations governing the
subdivision of land in the Town of Ashland. Such Rules & Regulations
shall be effective on and after the first day of March 1954, and as
further amended from time to time.
No person shall make a subdivision within the
meaning of the Subdivision Control Law of any land within the Town
or proceed with the improvement or sale of lots in a subdivision or
the construction of ways or the installation of municipal services
therein unless and until a Definitive Plan of such subdivision has
been submitted to and approved by the Planning Board, as hereinafter
provided.
