Several also enacted land use ordinance revisions and undertook other measures to implement their plans. Many towns are now approaching the ten-year anniversary of their plan s preparation. Planning, however, is by definition an on-going process. It is thus important that towns take time to review their current plans and determine if they need updating. A review of the plan is particularly important for those towns with a certified growth management plan.
Certification gives towns preference on certain competitive state grants.
In order to maintain certification, a municipality must determine if its comprehensive plan needs revising and make the necessary revisions. This depends on the town and the amount of development or other changes that have taken place since the plan was prepared. The first step should be for the planning board and select board or council to review the existing plan and hold a joint meeting to discuss in general terms the extent, if any, that the plan needs to be updated. The outline presented below can guide the discussion. If the initial review reveals that revisions are needed, the town should decide if it is appropriate for the planning board or a comprehensive planning committee to oversee the effort.