The planning and zoning department, located in Town Hall, is charged with creating, enforcing and regulating all the town's plans for development, zoning regulations and planning regulations. All new construction or any addition must meet all planning and zoning regulations before beginning, and must stay in compliance throughout the process. The planning and zoning office holds a planning director, zoning official, town planner, environmental planner and office coordinator. The ultimate authority is the planning and zoning commission, with all members appointed by the board of selectmen. The commission holds five regular members, each with a five-year term. Any new construction or addition that violates any town planning and zoning regulation can be approved by the zoning board of appeals, a five-member group of elected townspeople.