[HISTORY: Adopted by the Conservation Commission of the Town
of Greenfield as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Adopted as amended 2-10-2004 (Ch. 974 of the 2002 Bylaws)]
A.
The Conservation Commission, hereinafter called the "CC," shall meet
on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of the month.
B.
If the meeting date coincides with a holiday, the meeting will be
rescheduled to the earliest possible date.
C.
Meetings may be cancelled if no scheduled public hearings, no old
business, and/or if no quorum exists. There must be one meeting per
month.
D.
The annual organizational meeting shall be the first meeting of the
CC in July of each year. The Chair, Vice Chair and any other officers
deemed necessary for the smooth and efficient running of the Commission
shall be elected by a majority vote of a quorum. All full members
attending the meeting shall vote.
E.
The rules of parliamentary procedure comprised in Robert's current
edition of "Rules of Order" shall govern the CC and its deliberations.
A.
Per the Greenfield Home Rule Charter, the CC consists of five full
members and two alternate members. The five full members have voting
power at all meetings. Alternate members may participate in a deliberation
of the CC, but may not vote.
B.
A quorum will consist of three voting members of the CC. Alternate
members cannot help constitute a quorum.
The Mayor is the appointing authority. Recommendations can be
made by a majority vote of the full members.
A.
Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meetings and shall exercise
such powers as properly pertain to that office.
B.
Vice Chair. The Vice Chair shall assume the responsibilities of the
Chair in that person's absence.
C.
Chair Pro Tem. In the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, a Chair
Pro Tem may be elected for that meeting.
D.
All resignations shall be made in writing and sent to both the Mayor
and the Town Clerk. Verbal resignations will not be accepted.
A.
A Clerk will be provided by the Planning Department and usually have
the title of "Permits Manager" (agent). The Permits Manager should
be familiar with all facets of wetlands protection laws and be able
to offer direction when requested and do research as needed.
B.
The agent will be responsible for establishing, updating and/or maintaining
the following:
(1)
A copy of MGL c. 131, § 40.
(2)
A copy of Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.00).
(3)
A copy of the Wetlands Reference Manual for Conservation Commissions.
(5)
Policy Bylaw.
(6)
Full and accurate records of all regular and special CC meetings.
(7)
Any other records deemed necessary for the CC's operation.
(8)
Databases.
C.
The agent shall be responsible for mailing to members, at least three
working days prior to each regular meeting, notice of the meeting,
agenda materials, and the minutes of the previous meeting.
D.
The agent shall act as the corresponding agent for the CC, preserving
copies of all correspondence.
E.
The agent shall perform all other duties incident to the office or
that may be required by the CC.
A.
The CC shall act as a unit and decisions relative to conservation
issues, especially those concerning public hearings, shall be settled
by a formal vote at a legally called meeting.
B.
Following three unexplained consecutive absences from scheduled meetings,
the absent CC member will be contacted by the CC Chair to determine
the intention of that member regarding future membership.
C.
Members must be on time and stay for the duration of the meeting
or site visit. If attendance becomes problematic to the smooth working
of the Commission, the Chair will address the issue with the member.
If it continues to be an issue, the Chair will contact the Mayor for
resolution. Excused absences should be reported to the Chair and designated
in the meeting minutes. CC members must act professionally at all
times while representing the Town.
D.
Only CC members who have attended all portions of a wetlands hearing
should vote on that application. Other members should abstain. Positive
votes of three members are required for passage.
A.
Alternate members can be appointed by a majority vote of the CC as
unpaid consultants.
B.
Alternate members' terms expire at the end of June each year. A vote
at the organizational meeting during July may reappoint them. They
need not attend the meeting to reapply.
C.
Alternate members are to receive copies of the agenda and minutes.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended during codification.
A.
The CC shall keep a list of all the land it is responsible for by
map/parcel and acreage.
B.
Separate bank accounts will be kept for each address. Those funds
will be used for passive recreation purposes.
C.
The CC shall set rules and regulations for the use of conservation
land under its jurisdiction and can amend these rules and regulations
by a majority vote of the CC.
A.
The Mayor and the CC recognize the fact there is a long learning
curve for a new member to become a competent member. The CC budget
carries educational dollars for this purpose.
B.
It is recommended that members attend the spring and/or fall seminars
offered by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
(MACC). MACC also offers courses that a CC member will find useful.
C.
Approval of these expenditures takes a majority vote of the CC and
must be sent to the Mayor for approval prior to the meeting.
