This bylaw is enacted for the following purposes: 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 the over-crowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, water supply, drainage, sewerage, schools, parks, open space, and other public requirements; to protect, preserve and maintain the existing surface and groundwater supplies and their drainage or recharge areas within the known aquifers of the Town; to encourage efficient use and conservation of energy; to conserve the value of land and buildings including the conservation of natural resources and the prevention of blight and the pollution of the environment; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the town, as guided by the Ipswich Community Development Plan and the Town Character Statement; and to preserve and increase its amenities. It is made with reasonable consideration to the outstanding characteristics and unique position that Ipswich holds in the historical background of the Country and the character of each district and to its peculiar suitability for particular uses; in accordance with the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Chapter 40A, and any amendments thereto. (Amended by 10/17/05 Special Town Meeting; approved by Attorney General 12/12/05) (Amended by 10/15/07 Special Town Meeting; approved by AG 1/23/08)