Notice of hearings shall be advertised as required by the provisions
of MGL c. 40A.
All hearings shall be open to the public.
An applicant may appear personally or be represented by an agent
or attorney. In the absence of any appearance by, or on behalf of,
an applicant, the Board may decide on the matter using the information
it has otherwise received, dismiss the petition with or without prejudice,
or continue the hearing to a subsequent meeting.
A.
The order of business for each matter shall be as follows:
(1)
To open each hearing, the Chair shall read the property address,
legal notice, and summary of submitted exhibits and received written
comments.
(2)
The applicant, or their agent or attorney, shall be invited to make
a presentation.
(3)
The public shall be invited to ask questions and make statements
in favor of or in opposition to the application.
(4)
The applicant may make a closing statement.
(5)
Each hearing shall be closed by a vote of the Board.
(6)
A hearing may be continued to a date certain.
B.
Members of the Board may direct appropriate questions during each
phase of the hearing.
C.
The Chair shall have the authority to alter the normal order of business
in appropriate circumstances and may determine that a particular comment
or question is not in order.
The applicant shall produce at the hearing all records, including
deeds, plot plans, etc., bearing upon the lot or lots which are the
subject of the application. The Board may retain any documents or
plans which have been introduced in evidence for reference in consideration
of the case. Legal briefs may be filed at the public hearing or within
such time thereafter as may be fixed by the Board, but in no event
later than 10 days after the public hearing.
