As its name implies, the first responsibility of the planning board is to plan. This means that the first order of business for the planning board is the preparation of a Master Plan for the general purpose of guiding the development of the community. Each member must be a resident of the community. The selectmen may appoint board members, or the town meeting can decide by majority vote to elect board members. In either case, one selectman must be a member of the board ex officio.
Alternates serve for a period of three years.
The term of alternate members is the same as that of the respective member for whom they are the alternate. In the case of the absence or disqualification of an ex officio member from a particular board meeting, only the alternate that has been designated to sit for that individual is entitled to replace him. Vacancies in the membership of an elected planning board are filled by appointment by the remaining board members until the next regular election. The term of the chairman and other officers shall be one year with eligibility for reelection. The planning board is required to adopt rules of procedure concerning the method of conducting its business.