At the start of business at their December 19 meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) members reelected all three commission officers to a one-year term.

Without opposition, members reelected Democrat Don Mitchell to a term as P&Z chairman, Republican Jim Swift as the panel’s vice chairman, and Democrat Barbara Manville as the group’s secretary.

The board has eight members, five of whom are regular members and three of whom are alternates. Among the regular members, there are three Democrats and two Republicans. Among the alternates, there are two Democrats and one Republican. Thus, the overall composition of the panel is five Democrats and three Republicans.

When action is taken on an application, five P&Z members vote on the matter, with the chairman naming which alternate will vote, if a regular member is absent. Alternates often cast votes.

The P&Z is responsible for promoting the orderly and coordinated development of the town and the general welfare and prosperity of its residents through the tools of zoning and planning.

In its zoning capacity, the panel controls and directs the use and the development of property through zoning districts. The group regulates the principal and accessory land uses permitted within those zones.

As a planning agency, the panel regulates the subdivision and resubdivision of land. It also formulates a decennial Town Plan of Conservation and Development, which serves as a framework for its land use decision making during a decade.