The purposes of this Bylaw include, but are not limited to, the following: to lessen congestion in the streets; to conserve health; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to encourage housing for persons of all income levels; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, water supply, drainage, sewerage, schools, parks, open space and other public requirements; to conserve the value of land and buildings, including the conservation of natural resources and the prevention of blight and pollution of the environment, to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town, including consideration of the recommendations of the comprehensive plan, if any, adopted by the Planning Board and the comprehensive plan, if any, of the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission; and to preserve and increase amenities by the promulgation of regulations to fulfill these purposes under the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 40A.

In accordance with these purposes, the use, erection, establishment, movement, repair, alteration, enlargement, height, appearance, location and occupancy of buildings and structures, and uses and occupancy of premises in the Town of Townsend are hereby regulated and restricted as hereinafter provided.

Any use not specifically or generically listed herein or otherwise permitted in a district shall be deemed as prohibited. Any legal use of land or building is permitted in accordance with the requirements of this Bylaw except those uses which are dangerous or detrimental to a neighborhood because of fire hazard, offensive noise, smoke, vibration, harmful radioactivity, electrical interference, dust, odor, fumes, heat, glare, unsightliness or other objectionable characteristics.

In accordance with General Laws, Chapter 40A, and notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, this Bylaw shall not prohibit, regulate or restrict the use of land or structures for religious purposes or for educational purposes on land owned or leased by the commonwealth, or any of its agencies, subdivisions or bodies politic or by a religious sect or denomination or by a nonprofit educational corporation; provided, however, that such land or structures may be subject to reasonable regulations concerning the bulk and height of structures and determining yard sizes, lot area, setbacks, open spaces, parking and building coverage requirements.