"The subdivision control law has been enacted for the purpose
of protecting the safety, convenience and welfare of the inhabitants
of the cities and town 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 of a board of appeals under the subdivision control law 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 insuring compliance with the applicable
zoning ordinances or bylaws; for securing adequate provision for water,
sewerage, drainage, underground utility services, fire, police, and
other similar municipal equipment, and street lighting and other requirements
where necessary 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. MGL Chapter 4, Section 81-M.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See MGL c. 41, § 81M.
Under the authority vested in the Planning Board of the Town
of Swansea the Massachusetts Subdivision Control Law, MGL c. 41, §§ 81-K
to 81-GG inclusive and all acts in amendment or supplement thereto,
the Swansea Planning Board hereby adopts the following rules and regulations
governing the subdivision of land in the Town of Swansea.
No person shall make a subdivision within the meaning of Subdivision
Control Law of any land within the Town of Swansea, or proceed with
the improvement or sale of lots in a subdivision, or the construction
of ways, or the installation of municipal services and public utilities
herein, unless and until a definitive plan of such subdivision has
been submitted to and approved by the board as hereinafter provided.
For the purpose of the Rules and Regulations, the following
words and forms used herein are hereby defined or the meaning thereof
is explained or limited as follows:
The person who applies for the approval of a plan of a subdivision
or his administrators, executors, heirs, devisee, successors and assigns.
The applicant shall certify that he is the owner of all the land included
in the proposed subdivision.
Approval by the Board of a definitive plan of a subdivision.
The Planning Board of the Town of Swansea.
Bristol County Fall River District of the Land Court.
An area of land in one ownership, with definitive boundaries,
used or available for use, as the site of one or more buildings, even
if the area of land shows on the assessor's maps or other documents
as being composed as several lots. A lot within a subdivision shall
mean any area of land with boundaries recorded or to be recorded without
any interior division.
That state agency designated as MassDOT.
[Added 6-6-2022]
That state agency designated as MHD or formerly as Massachusetts
Department of Public Works (MDPW).
A street which is used solely for access to abutting lots,
and serves as legal frontage and access to residential units.
The owner of record as shown by the records in the Bristol
County Fall River District Registry of Deeds or Bristol County Fall
River District of the Land Court.
An individual, two or more individuals, a partnership, association,
or corporation.
A street which in the opinion of the Board is being used
or will be used as a thoroughfare between different municipalities
or will carry a heavy volume of traffic.
Bristol County Fall River District Registry of Deeds.
The portion of a street intended for vehicular use.
The Selectmen of the Town of Swansea.
The person undertaking the subdivision of land.
As defined in MGL c. 41, § 81-L or any amendment
thereof, addition thereto, or substitution therefor.
Sections 81-K to 81-GG, inclusive, of Chapter 41 of the General
Laws, and any acts in amendment thereof, in addition thereto or in
substitution therefor.
Director of Engineering and Highway Services for the Town
of Swansea or person holding said position having a different title.
Town of Swansea.
Improvements for the provision of municipal or public services,
such as water supply, sewerage, gas or steam piping, electricity,
telephone, and others, serving more than one premises.
