Lakeville Planning Board members raised alarm about a professional-looking scam targeting residents who submit planning and building applications and directed staff to add warnings to application packets, request a town email blast and social-media posts, and consider redacting personal contact details when posting applications online.

The discussion began after staff showed an email that appears to be a fraudulent request for payment and included material pulled from the town website and town seal. Planning staff said similar scams have targeted other town boards and that the scammers typically ask applicants to wire money — a strong red flag. The board discussed several mitigation steps: attaching a printed warning to every application filed in person; keeping signatures and official submissions in-person (staff said the office is not accepting DocuSign or electronic-signed applications at this time); redacting personal contact information when posting application documents online; and asking the town administrator to issue an email blast and a Facebook post to alert residents.

The board asked staff (Kathy, planning clerk) to append the warning to paper and electronic application packets and to send a memo to the town administrator requesting a communication to residents. Several members favored also notifying the selectboard and any town communications committee so the alert reaches all boards that accept applications. Board members said the warning should emphasize that the town will not request wire transfers and that applicants should confirm communications by contacting the planning office directly.

Separately, the board noted a late email from the town administrator requesting a joint meeting with the selectboard on Oct. 14 to discuss a proposal at the Lakewood Country Club for a nine‑hole golf course with senior housing on the remaining land. The town administrator asked the planning board and selectboard to meet together for a status and feedback session; planning staff said the meeting is not a public hearing but encouraged residents to watch for the posted agenda and attend to provide feedback.

The board directed staff to add the warning to applications, draft a memo requesting the townwide email and social-media notice, and place the Lakewood Country Club joint-meeting scheduling item on upcoming agendas for follow-up.