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.