[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Dudley 10-29-2018 by Art. 32. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 5-20-2019 by Art. 5; 6-22-2020 by Art. 11]
The purpose of this bylaw is to establish the Agricultural Advisory Commission in the Town of Dudley to serve as a forum for matters of interest to farmers in Dudley and to advise the Board of Selectmen on how the Town can best support farming in Dudley. The Commission's five members shall include three Dudley residents who are engaged in farming and two citizens at large interested in promoting farming. Up to five alternate members may also be appointed, at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen. Regular members shall have three-year, staggered terms, and alternate members shall have one-year terms.
The Commission's duties shall include, but are not limited to: serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits of agriculture in Dudley; promoting agricultural-based economic opportunities in Town; acting as mediators, advocates, educations, and/or negotiators on farming issues; working for preservation of prime agricultural lands; advising the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and the Open Space Committee, or any other appropriate Town boards, on issues involving agriculture; and pursuing all initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community. When designated by the Board of Selectmen this Advisory Commission will be the lead representative for the Town of Dudley and its interactions and communications with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. However, the Advisory Commission shall not have the authority to bind the Town in any regard, unless otherwise authorized by the Board of Selectmen, by bylaw, or by Town Meeting vote.