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Planning Board

Overview
The Stow Planning Board is a five member elected board with one appointed voting associate member, the Stow Planning Board has specific statutory requirements. The Board reviews and approves the division of land under the State Subdivision Control Law (MGL. Ch. 41) and the Stow Subdivision Rules and Regulations; serves as a special permit granting authority under the State Zoning Act (MGL. Ch. 40A) and the Stow Zoning Bylaw; and guides the process of Zoning Bylaw amendments under the State Zoning Act (MGL. Ch. 40A).  Members are elected to five-year terms except for associate members, who are appointed yearly. 

Regulatory Duties
Under State Law, the Board is charged with the responsibility of protecting the health, safety and welfare of Stow's residents. Guided by the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Stow Zoning Bylaw, the 2010 Stow Master Plan and citizen's comments and concerns, the Board strives to preserve and enhance the integrity of Stow's character through the use of these regulatory tools, while safeguarding property owners' rights. The Board recommends and specifies changes to development proposals to achieve these goals. Board members and staff strive to work with both project proponents and citizens to help shape projects so as to minimize the impact to the community.
 
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Staff Contacts

NameTitleEmail
Jesse Steadman

Town Planner

planning@stow-ma.gov
Valerie Oorthuys

Assistant Planner/ GIS Administrator

planning2@stow-ma.gov
Susan Ostrander

Administrative Assistant

planning3@stow-ma.gov

Planning Board Members

NameTitleTerm Expiration
Lori Clark

Chair

2024
Margaret Costello

Member

2020
Leonard Golder

Member

2021
Karen Kelleher

Member

2022
John Colonna-Romano

Member

2023
Megan Birch-McMichael

Voting Associate Member

2020
Mark Jones

Non-Voting Associate Member

2020

Regional Committees

Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC), a subregion of MAPCTerm Expiration
Jesse Steadman

Planning Board Representative

2020
Donald Hawkes

Board of Selectmen Representative

2020