Under the authority vested in the Planning Board
of the Town of Abington by Section 81Q of Chapter 41 of the Massachusetts
General Laws said Planning Board hereby adopts these "Rules and Regulations
Governing the Subdivision of Land in the Town of Abington, MA."
These Rules and Regulations have been enacted
for the purpose of protecting the safety, convenience and welfare
of the inhabitants of the Town of Abington by regulating the laying
out and construction of ways in a subdivision providing access to
the several lots herein, but which have not become public ways, and
insuring sanitary conditions in a subdivision and in proper cases
parks and open areas. The powers of the 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 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 by-laws;
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 Abington and with the ways in neighboring subdivisions and towns.
It is the intent of the Subdivision Control Law and these Rules and
Regulations that any subdivision plan filed with the Planning Board
shall receive the approval of the Board if said plan conforms to the
recommendation of the Board of Health and to the Rules and Regulations
of the Planning Board Governing the Subdivision of Land. The Board
may, when appropriate, waive as provided for in Section 81R of the
Subdivision Control Law, such portions of the Rules and Regulations
as is deemed advisable.
A.
Regular meetings of the Planning Board are held on
the dates and times as posted with the Town Clerk. Except for executive
sessions as provided for in Section 23A of Chapter 39 of the General
Laws as amended, meetings of the Planning Board shall be open to the
public to attend. Anyone desiring to meet with the Board shall do
so by appointment except as provided for elsewhere in these Regulations.
To secure an appointment, all applicants shall notify the Planning
Board in writing 14 days before a regularly scheduled meeting by delivery
to the secretary to the Board or care of the Town Clerk. In such notice
the applicant shall state their name, address and a brief outline
of the nature of the business to be discussed with the Planning Board.
B.
Any person attending an advertised public hearing
may address the Board at the pleasure of the Chairman without prior
notice and in so doing shall state their name, address and person
represented, if any.
C.
All meetings of the Board shall be conducted formally
under the direction of the Chairman of the Board. In the absence of
the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall act as Chairman. A majority
of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum but less than
a majority may vote to adjourn, subject to the meeting being rescheduled
as hereinafter provided. All other action of the Board shall require
a majority vote of all the members. In the event that there is less
than a quorum present at any scheduled meeting, the Chairman shall
reschedule a meeting as soon as practicable thereafter.
D.
The Planning Board may require any applicant to produce
evidence of ownership, or authority of an agent.
No person shall make a subdivision within the
meaning of the Subdivision Control Law of any land within the Town
of Abington, 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 and approved by the Board and endorsed by the Town
Clerk as hereinafter provided.
Approved as amended January 22, 2001.
For matters not covered by these Rules and Regulations,
reference is made to Chapter 41, Sections 81K to 81GG, of the Massachusetts
General Laws, as amended.
