If it is the planning board, having had some exposure to these types in small town New England politics, they are generally run by highly liberal, highly politicized small town bureaucrats who love to exercise power.
Occasionally there is a relatively conservative member, but that is about it.
I used to know one very well from another town.
Small town New England can suck as you explained.power hungry liberals at work.Touchy feely BS school boards and all the rest.