[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of
the Town of Dalton 6-23-2008 STM by Art. 14, approved 10-1-2008. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Town establishes a Farm and Forestry Commission
to represent the Town's agricultural and forestry community, as well
as other farming and forestry activities as hereinafter provided.
The purpose of the Farm and Forestry Commission
will be to support agriculture and other farming and forestry activities
in the Town of Dalton. The Commission's duties shall include, but
will not be limited to the following: serve as facilitators for encouraging
the pursuits of agriculture in Dalton; promote agricultural-based
economic opportunities in Town; act as mediators, advocates, educators,
and/or negotiators on farming and forestry issues; work for the preservation
of agricultural and forest lands; advise the Select Board, Planning
Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of
Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and Open Space
Committee, or any other appropriate Town Boards, on issues involving
agriculture; and shall pursue all initiatives appropriate to creating
a sustainable agricultural community.
A.
The Commission shall consist of five members recommended
for appointment by the Town Manager and ratified by the Select Board.
All members shall be substantially engaged in the pursuit of agriculture
or forestry, and must either by residents of the Town, or owners and
farmers of agricultural or forestry property within the Town.
B.
There may be one or two alternates appointed to the
Commission as provided for hereinabove. Said alternates shall fill
any vacancies at a meeting of the Commission.
C.
In making its appointments, the Town Manager and Select
Board are asked specifically to consider the intent of the Commission
to represent the agricultural interests of the Town
The terms shall be as follows: Two members for
a term of three years, two members for a term of two years and three
thereafter; and one member for a term of one year and three years
thereafter.
The Town Manager and Select Board, together
with the Farm and Forestry commission, by a majority vote of the combined
membership, shall fill a vacancy based on the unexpired term of the
vacancy in order to maintain the cycle of appointments.
