Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 40b - Regional Planning
Section 5b - Economic Development Regional Commissions; Authorization to Act

Section 5B. A district planning commission may, by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the representatives of the cities and towns comprising the district, agree to act as, and to assume the duties, obligations, and responsibilities of, an economic development regional commission for as many of the cities and towns within its area of jurisdiction as it may deem proper and logical, subject to the availability of funds for such purpose; provided, however, that said cities and towns shall be eligible for designation as an economic development region, hereinafter called the region, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965. Additional eligible cities and towns may be added to or deleted from the region by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the representatives of the cities and towns comprising the district.
The district planning commission members and alternate designees of the cities and towns comprising the region shall constitute the economic development regional commission. In addition, such technical and advisory committees as are necessary and required by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of said Act for the purpose of providing advice and guidance to the region.
The economic development regional commission may prepare economic development programs which shall be public records and may be changed or supplemented from time to time by a majority vote of the representatives of the cities and towns comprising the region. Said regional commission may conduct feasibility and implementation studies for public facilities and programs and develop public and private development projects which are consistent with and which aid in implementing the objectives of said commission. Said regional commission may advertise and otherwise promote the implementation of its plans and recommendations for the economic and industrial development of the region and may sponsor conferences, institutes, seminars and training programs on behalf of the region.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts

Chapter 40b - Regional Planning

Section 1 - Title of Chapter

Section 2 - Purpose of Chapter

Section 2a - Regional or District Groupings; Consent to Placement

Section 3 - Planning Districts; Establishment; New Members; Jurisdiction Area; Rights and Liabilities

Section 4 - District Planning Commissions; Membership; Employees; Meetings

Section 4a - Executive Committees; Establishment; Membership; Powers and Duties; Reports

Section 4b - Seals Authorized

Section 4c - Federal Military Installations Within Districts; Commanding Officer as Ex Officio Member of Commission

Section 5 - Powers and Duties; Reports

Section 5a - Agreement for Water Favorability Studies

Section 5b - Economic Development Regional Commissions; Authorization to Act

Section 6 - Cooperation of State Agencies With Planning Commissions

Section 7 - Preparation of Budget; Apportionment of Costs; Disbursement of Funds; Receipt of Gifts; Contracts for Planning Studies and Services

Section 8 - Borrowing in Anticipation of Revenue From Member Municipalities

Section 9 - Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District; Establishment

Section 10 - Membership; Termination

Section 11 - Dissolution of Regional Planning Districts; Transitional Provisions; Procedure

Section 12 - Commission; Membership; Appointment; Term

Section 13 - Advisory Committee; Membership; Appointment; Term; Removal; Vacancies

Section 14 - Powers and Duties

Section 15 - Executive Officers; Committees; Meetings; Rules and Records; Expenses

Section 16 - Executive Director; Employees; Tenure; Compensation

Section 17 - Contracts; Expenditures and Obligations

Section 18 - Estimate of Costs; Fiscal Year; Assessment; Limitation; Payment; Reserve Funds; Audit

Section 19 - Data Exchange Between Agencies

Section 20 - Definitions

Section 21 - Low or Moderate Income Housing; Applications for Approval of Proposed Construction; Hearing; Appeal

Section 22 - Appeal to Housing Appeals Committee; Procedure; Judicial Review

Section 23 - Hearing by Housing Appeals Committee; Issues; Powers of Disposition; Orders; Enforcement

Section 24 - Metropolitan Area Planning Council; Composition; Appointments; Vacancies

Section 25 - Council; Officers; Meetings; Rules of Procedure; Report; Treasurer's Bond; Powers and Duties

Section 26 - Establishment; Composition

Section 27 - Mutual Exchange of Data, Etc. Between Council and Other Governmental Agencies

Section 28 - Executive Committee of Council; Composition; Powers and Duties; Executive Director; Staff; Technical Advisory Committees

Section 29 - Inter-Agency Agreements; Expenditures; Assessments; Gifts, Grants, etc.; Fund

Section 30 - Technical Assistance Center; Permitting Model; Evaluations and Reporting; Regional Planning Districts to Assist Municipalities