Who Should Attend:
This webinar is a basic introduction to the rules and procedures governing municipal planning boards and appeals boards. It is designed primarily for new and less experienced planning board and board of appeals members. However, it is also a great refresher for long-time board members. Code Enforcement Officers and municipal officers may find this course helpful as an overview to the role of these boards in their municipalities.  

Course Information:
This course is based on MMA’s Planning Board and Local Land Use Appeals Board manuals. The training will cover material from the manuals, including how to conduct a board meeting, how to comply with Maine’s Freedom of Access Act requirements pertaining to open meetings and public records, and the procedures for making a decision, such as how to evaluate evidence on which to base a decision and how to draft findings of fact and conclusions of law. The training will also cover the appeals process, including appeals to a board of appeals and to Superior Court.

Participants are encouraged to review MMA’s Planning Board and Local Land Use Appeals Board manuals for more information on the topics covered during the webinar. The manuals are available to purchase online at https://ebiz.memun.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store or by calling the MMA Publications department at (800) 452-8786. The manuals may also be downloaded for free from MMA’s website (www.memun.org), in the member area, under "Legal."

Confirmation and Zoom link:

Registrants will receive their Zoom link and meeting details directly from MMA Zoom no later than 24 hours in advance. An official confirmation from MMA will follow with further instructions and access to meeting materials. 

Please reach out to training@memun.org if you have not received your link the day prior to the training.

Cancellations for MMA Webinars: 
Cancellations must be submitted using this Cancellation form to cancel your registration for an event. Cancellations received on/after 2/6/25 will be charged a $15 cancellation fee. Any registrant who does not attend and does not cancel their registration (i.e., no-show) and any cancellation received the day of the event will be charged the full registration fee. Registration substitutions are permitted for registrants within the same municipality/organization and will be assessed a $15 substitution fee. Please email wsreg@memun.org to request a registration substitution. Registration transfers to a future training offering are not permitted. 

SHARED EMAIL ADDRESSES - Zoom will NOT accept the same email address to be imported more than once/for multiple users. Please make sure you are NOT using the same email address as another registrant, ie: co-worker, offices using a shared email address, unless you are watching together in a group setting.  

Please email training@memun.org to provide us with an alternate email address.  

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR GROUP VIEWERS: We understand multiple attendees may be planning to attend this webinar together using one screen or login. At the conclusion of the webinar please send one email to training@memun.org  within 24 hours to confirm each person in attendance. If you attend via phone or another email address, you must confirm your attendance as well. The email MUST include full names and accurate emails of all participants so that we can send certificates, materials, and track credits in a timely manner. Certificates and credits for all webinars are awarded to registered attendees only. Please do not send your attendance email prior to the webinar.   

If you are the only viewer from your email account or Zoom link, there is no need to confirm your attendance. 

Webinar FAQ’s 

If you have questions, please contact the Educational Services Office at (800) 452-8786 or (207) 623-8428 or training@memun.org.