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THERE IS APPARENTLY A GREAT DEAL OF CONFUSION REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A “ZONING BOARD” AND “PLANNING BOARD” BY THE TOWN OF ISCHUA. LET’S MAKE SEVERAL FACTS VERY CLEAR:

PLANNING BOARD

1. THE PURPOSE OF THE PLANNING BOARD IS TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF THE TOWN. THEY ADDRESS ISSUES SUCH AS DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC PARKS, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES,ASSISTANCE TO SENIOR CITIZENS, AND THE POTENTIAL GROWTH OF INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS. THIS CAN BE DONE WITH NO IMPACT ON THE TAX BASE THRU OBTAINING THE NUMEROUS STATE AND FEDERAL GRANT MONEY MADE AVAILABLE TO SMALL TOWNS LIKE ISCHUA. HOWEVER, WITHOUT A PLANNING BOARD THIS FUNDING IS NOT AVAILABLE.

2. ALL MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING BOARD ARE APPOINTED BY THE TOWN BOARD AND ALL SERVE WITHOUT PAY. ALL WORK IS VOLUNTARY. THE PLANNING BOARD HAS NO LEGAL OR LEGISLATIVE STATUS TO ENACT ANY LAWS. IT’S PURPOSE IS ONLY TO SUGGEST IDEAS TO THE TOWN.

ZONING BOARD

1. THE ZONING BOARD IS LIKEWISE APPOINTED BY THE TOWN BOARD TO PROVIDE A SERVICE.

2. THE PURPOSE OF THE ZONING BOARD IS TO PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENACTMENT THAT ARE REVIEWED BY THE TOWN BOARD AND THE PUBLIC. THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INTENDED TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF ISCHUA. THE ISSUES ADDRESSED BY THE ZONING BOARD ARE:

• PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
• PROTECTION TO INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS
• ENCOURAGEMENT AND STIMULATION OF CONTROLLED GROWTH WITHIN A LOGICAL PLANNED APPROACH FOR THE TOWN.

3. THE BOARD IS NOT DESIGNED TO INFRINGE UPON INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OR FREEDOMS BUT RATHER TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING A BETTER COMMUNITY.

4. ONCE THE ZONING ORDINANCES ARE ENACTED THE WORK OF THE ZONING BOARD IS COMPLETED AND THE BOARD IS DISSOLVED. LIKEWISE, ALL MEMBERS OF THE ZONING BOARD ARE VOLUNTEERS.

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	“The Planning Board—A Threat to Private Property Rights”