[Adopted 9-18-2018]
There is hereby established a commission, known as the ''Taunton
Agricultural Commission" (hereinafter the "Commission"), which shall
be composed of five members, all of whom shall be residents of Taunton.
The central mission of the Commission shall be to support current
and future agricultural endeavors through education, technical assistance,
and advocacy, and to represent the City's agricultural community and
interests. This article is not intended to create and expressly does
not create a municipal agricultural commission under MGL c. 40, § 8L,
nor shall this article operate as an acceptance of said section by
the City of Taunton.
A.
Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor. In making
the initial appointments to the Commission, the Mayor shall appoint
two members for a term of three years, two members for a term of two
years, and one member for a term of one year. Upon expiration of the
initial terms of office, all appointments shall be for a term of three
years. Any vacancies in Commission membership shall be filled by appointment
by the Mayor of a qualified individual for the remaining unexpired
term of office.
B.
No less than three Commission members shall be farmers, persons employed
in an agriculture-related field, or persons with knowledge, skills,
and experience in agricultural practices or knowledge of related agricultural
business.
A.
The Mayor shall have the authority to appoint no more than two alternate
members of the Commission for a term of three years. Alternate members,
if appointed, shall be designated First Alternate and Second Alternate.
Alternate members shall have the right to attend Commission meetings
and participate in Commission discussions, but shall not, except as
otherwise provided, have the right to vote. The First Alternate shall
have the right to vote only in the event there are less than five
Commission members present at the time a vote is taken. The Second
Alternate shall have the right to vote only in the event that:
B.
The Mayor shall have the authority to appoint no more than three
junior members of the Commission for a term of one year. Junior members,
if appointed, shall have the right to attend Commission meetings and
participate in Commission discussions, but shall not have the right
to vote. In making such appointments, the Mayor shall give preference
to high school students residing in Taunton.
C.
At the first meeting in January of each year, the Commission shall
appoint one of its members as Chairman, one of its members as Vice
Chairman, and one of its members as Clerk, all of whom shall serve
for a period of one year. The Commission, by majority vote, shall
have the authority to make rules of procedure.
D.
The Commission shall develop a work plan to guide its activities.
Such activities shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
to serve as facilitators for encouraging the pursuit of agriculture
in Taunton, to promote agriculture-based economic opportunities in
Taunton, to act as mediators, advocates, educators and negotiators,
to act in an advisory capacity on farming issues for established municipal
boards and departments, to pursue all initiatives appropriate to creating
a sustainable agricultural community, and to encourage the pursuit
of agriculture as a career opportunity and lifestyle. For the purposes
of this article, the term "agriculture" is defined as farming/natural
science in all of its branches. The Commission shall have the authority
to appoint advisory subcommittees to involve nonmember residents in
projects related to the Commission's work plan.
