There shall be a Planning Board whose duties shall be defined by ordinance and State Law. The Board shall consist of seven active members and one auxiliary member who shall be determined and appointed by the Town Council, none of whom shall be an employee of the Town.
The term of appointed members shall be five years. Any vacancy shall be filled by the Town Council for the remainder of the term. Planning Board members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Council, at least every five years, shall review the Planning Board ordinances, to determine whether changes are needed to secure the benefit of the best developments in modern municipal planning.
(a)
Appointment of the Town Planner shall be the responsibility of the Town Manager. Qualifications of the Town Planner shall be determined by the Town Manager as provided in the Town personnel description for position.
(b)
The Town Planner is designated by the Planning Board to be the Administrative Officer.
(c)
The Administrative Officer shall oversee and coordinate the review, approval, recording and enforcement provisions of the local regulations. The Administrative Officer shall serve as the Chair of the Technical Review Committee when it is activated.
(d)
Local administration of the Westerly Land Development and Subdivision Regulations shall be under the direction of the Administrative Officer, who shall report to the Planning Board.
(e)
The Administrative Officer shall be responsible for coordinating reviews of proposed land development projects and subdivisions with adjacent municipalities as is necessary to be consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws and as directed by the Planning Board.
(f)
Enforcement of the local regulations shall be under the direction of the Administrative Officer.