About the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
How was the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission formed?
What is the legal basis for the Commission?
Why is it important?
How is the Commission funded?
What are the Commission's Statutory/Legal Responsibilities?
How was the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission formed?
The Berkshire County Industrial Development Commission sponsored the formation of the Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission in 1966. BCRPC was formally organized in early 1966 by the votes of ten cities and towns in Berkshire County. They were Adams, Dalton, Great Barrington, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, North Adams, Pittsfield and Stockbridge. On May 9, 1966, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts approved the ten-member region and designated its area of jurisdiction as being the 32 municipalities that comprise Berkshire County. Since then, all 32 municipalities have voted to join the Commission as members. In February 1997 Delegates voted to change the name to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Because of the recent name change, many of BRPC's policies and documents prior to February 20, 1997 have "County" in the name.
What is the legal basis for the Commission?
The procedure for the creation of the Commission and its powers and duties are set forth in Chapter 40B of the General Laws of Massachusetts. This law, adopted originally in 1955, has been strengthened by subsequent actions of the legislature. Chapter 40B is often referred to as "The Regional Planning Law."
Why is it important?
Improved means of transportation and communication have made municipalities more dependent upon each other. The problems and needs of the region in which the municipality is located are also the municipality's problems and needs.
Highways, land use, recreation, conservation, open space, economic development, water supply, air and water pollution control, sewerage, lake management, drainage, solid waste management and other community services are matters of regional concern.
A regional planning commission acts as a focal point for discussing and evaluating area-wide inter-municipal problems and needs, and for working out joint plans for their solution. These plans may then be rejected or accepted by the cities and towns involved.
Other functions include serving as a "united voice" for the Berkshires when dealing with state and federal agencies. The Commission also provides an opportunity for member communities to share experiences and results.
In recognition of the importance of regional planning, regional planning programs have become prerequisites for certain federal aid programs. Numerous programs and projects in which state or federal interests are involved must be submitted to the area's regional planning agency for review and comment.
The regional planning commission maintains a professional staff and consultants who, as part of their duties, provide direct technical assistance to the municipalities in the county. The BRPC is an affiliate data center for the U.S. Census, and maintains a database and planning library that is used by municipalities, governmental agencies, consultants, students, lawyers, citizens, etc.
How is the Commission funded?
Assessments are levied on the member cities and towns and are apportioned among member communities on a per capita basis according to the most recent national census. The current assessment for Fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009) is 63.59 cents per person per year, which yields $85,810 per year. Most of the local assessment money is used to fund activities for which no grants are available and to meet matching requirements for grants. Major funding sources are derived from grants and contracts entered into with the federal government, the state and local cities and towns.
What are the Commission's Statutory/Legal Responsibilities?
Section 5 of Chapter 40B says: "A planning commission established hereunder shall make careful studies of the resources, problems, possibilities and needs of its district and, on the basis of such studies, shall prepare a comprehensive plan of development or a schematic study plan of such district or of such part or parts thereof as the commission may deem necessary and in such plans shall make such recommendations for the physical, social, governmental or economic improvement of the district as in their opinion will be in the best interest of the inhabitants of the district. Such plans and recommendations shall concern, among other things, the general use of the district, including land use, principle highways and expressways, bridges, airports, public utilities, public facilities, parks, recreation areas, public institutions and such other matters as in the opinion of said commission will be beneficial to the district and will promote with the greatest efficiency and economy the coordinated development of the district and the general welfare and prosperity of its people."