At the conclusion of the most recent Planning Board meeting, a familiar topic resurfaced: the role and scope of the town’s Heritage Commission.
Concerns about the commission’s involvement in planning matters have been raised as far back as last year.
Back in September of 2024 Planning Board member Tony DeFrancesco expressed frustration over a recommendation made by the Heritage Commission, which he believed extended beyond its advisory role.
DeFrancesco noted that applicants may not fully understand that the Heritage Commission serves in an advisory capacity only. He voiced concern that the commission was “overstepping their bounds into Planning Board territory.”
“I don’t get it, I don’t understand it, I don’t know how the discussions are allowed,” DeFrancesco said at the time. “I don’t know why the Chair of that commission would put it in the notes.”
The issue in question involved a bus stop recommendation for a development project. DeFrancesco said he wasn’t sure whether the problem stemmed from a lack of training or something else, but he believed it was unfair to applicants, staff, and the Planning Board.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, I’m not sure why it’s happening or how it’s happening,” he said. “But I will tell you, what’s going on is not right.”
As a possible solution, DeFrancesco suggested that town staff determine whether an applicant needs to appear before the Heritage Commission, based on the nature of the proposal and the property involved. He added that design elements such as building colors and roof types could be handled directly by the Planning Board, making the process more user-friendly for applicants.
Last week, at the Oct. 1, 2025 Planning Board meeting, DeFrancesco shared that he had emailed Planning Board Chair Jake Butler regarding the issue. He clarified that he did not share the email with other board members to avoid violating public meeting laws.
While the contents of the email were not disclosed, DeFrancesco said it included an action plan.
“We’ve talked about the Heritage Commission and their role,” he said. “Are we ready or not to make it an agenda item with a public hearing and do something with their role or not?”
Chair Jake Butler acknowledged the concerns and agreed that the matter should be formally discussed.
“You’ve brought up good points,” Butler said. “I’m certainly open to having the discussion and giving you the ability to present.”
He added that he thought the letter DeFrancesco sent him should, at some point, be formally presented to the entire Planning Board for a discussion as an agenda item.
Planning Board Vice Chair Art Rugg, who also serves as the board’s liaison to the Heritage Commission, agreed that staff should be involved in the conversation. He noted that about 20-years ago, the Planning Board delegated certain responsibilities to the Heritage Commission.
The board agreed to schedule a discussion on the Heritage Commission’s role for the Dec. 10 meeting.