An Applicant for Plan Approval shall file with the Town Clerk the required number of copies of the application form and the other required submittals as set forth in the regulations, and a copy of the application, including the date of filing certified by the Town Clerk, shall be filed forthwith with the PAA. An Applicant is encouraged to review the final application with the PAA or its agent to confirm application completeness prior to filing the final application with the Town Clerk and PAA.
Upon receipt of the application, the PAA shall immediately provide a copy of the application materials to the Board of Selectmen, Board of Appeals, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Fire Department, Police Department, Building Commissioner, Department of Public Works, and other municipal officers, agencies or boards for comment, and any such board, agency or officer shall provide any written comments within 60 days of its receipt of a copy of the plan and application for approval.
The PAA shall hold a public hearing for which notice has been given as provided in MGL c. 40A, § 11. The decision of the PAA shall be made, and a written notice of the decision filed with the Town Clerk, within 120 days of the receipt of the application by the Town Clerk. The required time limits for such action may be extended by written agreement between the Applicant and the PAA, with a copy of such agreement being filed in the office of the Town Clerk. Failure of the PAA to take action within said 120 days or extended time, if applicable, shall be deemed to be an approval of the application and site plan.
The Applicant shall be required to pay for reasonable consulting fees to provide peer review of the Plan Approval application, pursuant to MGL c. 40R. Such fees shall be held by the Town in a separate account and used only for expenses associated with the review of the application by outside consultants, including, but not limited to, attorneys, Town Counsel, engineers, urban designers, housing consultants, planners, and others. Any surplus remaining after the completion of such review, including any interest accrued, shall be returned to the Applicant.