A. 
These rules and regulations are adopted under the Subdivision Control Law, §§ 81-K to 81-GG, inclusive, of MGL c. 41, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
B. 
Purpose.
(1) 
The Subdivision Control Law has been enacted for the purpose of protecting the safety, convenience, and welfare of the inhabitants 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.
(2) 
The powers of a Planning Board and of a Board of Appeal under the Subdivision Control Law shall be exercised with due regard for the provision of adequate access to all of the lots in a subdivision by ways that will be safe and convenient for travel; 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, and other requirements where necessary in a subdivision and for coordinating the ways in a subdivision with each other and with the public ways in the city or town in which it is located and with the ways in neighboring subdivisions.
(3) 
It is the intent of the Subdivision Control Law that 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 reasonable rules and regulations of the Planning Board pertaining to subdivisions of land; provided, however, that such Board may, when appropriate, waive, as provided for in § 81-R, such portions of the rules and regulations as is deemed advisable (MGL c. 41, § 81-m).
C. 
Authority. Under the authority vested in the Planning Board of the town of Wakefield, by MGL c. 41, 81-Q, and by any other enabling laws, said Board hereby adopts these rules and regulations governing the subdivision of land in the Town of Wakefield. Such rules and regulations shall be effective upon date of adoption.