(A) It shall be the function and duty of the Planning Board to make comprehensive surveys and studies of existing conditions and probable future developments and prepare such plans for physical, social and economic development as will best promote the public health, safety, morals, conveniences or the general welfare as well as efficiency and economy in the development of the town.
(B) In general, the Planning Board shall have the power and duty to:
(1) Make studies of the area within its jurisdiction and surrounding area;
(2) Determine objectives to be sought in the development of the study area;
(3) Prepare and adopt plans for achieving objectives;
(4) Develop and recommend policies, ordinances, administrative procedures and other means for carrying out plans is a coordinated and efficient manner;
(5) Advise the legislative body concerning the use and amendment of means for carrying out plans;
(6) Exercise any functions in the administration and enforcement of various means for carrying out plans that the legislative body may direct;
(7) Perform any other related duties that the legislative body may direct;
(8) The Planning Board may accept, receive and disburse in furtherance of its functions any funds, grants and services made available by the federal government and its agencies, the state government and its agencies, any local government and its agencies, and any private and civic sources. The Planning Board, with concurrences of the legislative body, may enter into and carry out contracts with the state and federal government or any agencies thereof by which financial or other planning assistance is made available to the municipality and may agree to and comply with any reasonable conditions that are imposed upon such assistance;
(9) The Planning Board, with the concurrence of the legislative body, may enter into and carry out contracts with any other city, county or regional council or planning agency under which it agrees to furnish technical planning assistance to the other local government or planning agency. The Planning Board, with the concurrence of the legislative body, may enter into and carry out contracts with any other city, county or regional planning agency under which it agrees to pay the other local government or planning agency for technical planning assistance;
(10) The Planning Board may conduct such public hearings as may be required to gather information necessary for the drafting, establishment and maintenance of the development plan;
(11) The Planning Board shall have power to promote public interest in and an understanding of its recommendations, and to that end it may publish and distribute copies of its recommendations and may employ such other means of publicity and education as it may deem necessary; and
(12) Members or employees of the Planning Board, when duly authorized by the Planning Board, may attend planning conferences or meetings of institutes or hearings upon pending planning legislation, and the Planning Board may, by formal and affirmative vote, pay, within the Planning Board’s budget, the reasonable traveling expenses incidental to such attendance.
(Ord. passed 9-16-1976)