[Adopted 6-29-2004 (Ch. 16, Art. VI, of the 2010 Code)]
A.
There is hereby established the Planning and Conservation Department, the function of which shall be to provide support services, general administration and oversight of the development and redevelopment of land within the City of Taunton, including but not limited to planning, zoning, and conservation. The Department shall provide support services for the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Conservation Commission. The Department shall also provide general interpretation and administration of Chapter 440, Zoning, the Planning Board rules and regulations, Chapter 432, Wetlands Protection, and any other relevant local ordinance as well as all relevant state and federal statutes relating to said local ordinances (which include but are not limited to the Zoning Enabling Act, MGL c. 40A, subdivision control, MGL c. 41, comprehensive permits, MGL c. 40B, the Wetlands Act, and the Rivers Protection Act).[1]
B.
All applications for the position of Director of Planning and Conservation
shall be reviewed by a committee comprising the Chairperson of the
Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and Conservation Commission,
President of the Municipal Council and the Director of Personnel or
their designees. The committee shall provide recommendations to the
Mayor. The Mayor shall then nominate, and the Municipal Council shall
appoint, a Planning and Conservation Director ("Director"). The Director
shall be removable for just cause. Vacancies shall be filled in a
like manner. The Director shall serve for a term of three years or
until a successor is chosen and qualified.
A.
Director qualifications. A bachelor's degree in land use planning
or a related field with five years' experience in a related position
is required. A master's degree and American Institute of Certified
Planners (AICP) certification are preferred.
B.
Duties. The Director shall supervise and oversee the day-to-day operations and all personnel of the Planning and Conservation Department. The Director shall function at the department head level and shall report administratively to the Mayor and Municipal Council. The Director shall represent the City's interest in all matters pertaining to land use planning, zoning administration and other related land development or redevelopment matters. This position requires integral work and coordination of municipal departments reviewing development proposals for the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Development Impact Review Board, and Municipal Council. Other duties shall include performing planning studies related to zoning issues, writing revisions to Chapter 440, Zoning, and meeting with developers and citizens regarding development issues.
(1)
Qualified
applicants shall possess a good working knowledge of state statutes
related to planning and zoning (MGL c. 40A, MGL c. 40B, and MGL c.
41), the ability to analyze development proposals, good writing and
communications ability and a thorough knowledge of site planning and
design principles and accepted building practices, be adept at reading
specifications and blueprints and have a general knowledge of building
codes.
(2)
In
addition, in relation to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
applicants must be knowledgeable in evaluating current services, policies
and practices, making available to the public information regarding
Title II of the ADA and its applicability to the services, programs,
and activities of the City of Taunton, determining policy and setting
standards for program accessibility for the City of Taunton, including
financial implications, develop a transition plan for the structural
changes in public facilities, maintain communication and assist the
local independent living center and Commission for Individuals with
Disabilities, review plans of new buildings and alterations to existing
public buildings and determine which laws apply, and update the transition
plan continuously.
(3)
The
Director shall be responsible for preparing, controlling and administering
the annual budget of the Planning and Conservation Department, which
shall include all funds related to the operation of the Department
and support of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation
Commission. The Director shall also control, administer and account
for any and all federal, state or private funds, grants, or other
donations available or donated to the Planning Board, Zoning Board
of Appeals, and/or Conservation Commission.
A.
Agent qualifications. A bachelor's degree in environmental management/natural
resource protection or a related field is required. Professional experience
or a master's degree is preferred.
B.
Duties. The Conservation Agent shall report to the Director of Planning
and Conservation and all duties shall be carried out under the direction
of the Director. The Agent shall coordinate and represent the City's
interest in all matters pertaining to conservation, natural resources,
and wetlands. It shall be the Agent's duty to advise, represent the
City's interests, and effect all practicable coordination between
the Mayor, Municipal Council, and the City's various departments,
boards, commissions, agencies and official or unofficial bodies with
respect to all problems which may arise concerning conservation, wetlands,
and natural resources. The Agent shall serve on municipal boards and
confer with such public officials and with such private citizens as
may consult the Agent from time to time for the purpose of facilitating
the presentation of matters involving natural resources or wetland
areas to the Conservation Commission or other body having appropriate
jurisdiction over the same. The Agent shall, in addition, serve as
the wetlands enforcement officer acting with the advice and consent
of the Conservation Commission. The Agent shall perform other duties
as required and shall act in the Director's capacity in the event
of his/her absence.
A.
The Director, Conservation Agent and the staff shall be compensated
as negotiated by the Mayor with the City of Taunton Management Association
(COTMA) and with Public Employees Union Local 1144, or with other
collective bargaining units as may be appropriate and approved by
the Municipal Council, relative to wages, hours, working conditions
and other benefits. Staff and personnel shall not be governed under
civil service provisions without the express approval of the Mayor
and the Municipal Council.
B.
The Planning and Conservation Director may add such other staff as
he/she deems necessary with the approval of the Mayor and the Municipal
Council, subject to the availability of funds.
