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West Bath Planning Board adopts digital submission requirement for applications
Summary
The board voted to add a requirement that applicants upload electronic copies of their application materials to the planning checklist, aiming to address poor historical records and improve file retention.
At the May 13 meeting the West Bath Planning Board voted to add an explicit request that applicants provide their application materials electronically as part of the board's checklist. The change was prompted by repeated difficulties locating historic paper records and the select board's earlier recommendation that the planning office adopt digital submission practices.
A board member said that adding digital copies to the checklist would not require an ordinance amendment — the board can set application requirements — but noted that any change to legal public-notice procedures would require an ordinance amendment and a town meeting vote. The board moved to add the digital-submission requirement to its checklist and approved the motion on a voice vote.
Board members discussed possible methods for electronic filing (town website, e-mail, or file-sharing) and noted administrative steps to connect a town Facebook page or broader email list for public notices. The board agreed to ask staff to incorporate a digital copy requirement into its application checklist and to coordinate with municipal administrators on implementation.
What happens next: staff will update the application checklist to request electronic copies and will follow up with town administration to coordinate any changes that require ordinance amendment or town-meeting approval.
