In recent years, farming as a way of life has experienced a
resurgence in our community and across Maine. Winslow residents have
expressed an interest in reviewing and enhancing municipal policies,
practices, and ordinances relating to agriculture, with a goal of
ensuring that the Town is friendly to agriculture while continuing
to protect the health, safety and welfare of all residents.
The following guidelines and procedures are intended to guide
the Agricultural Commission in fulfilling its roles and responsibilities.
A. The Commission shall elect a Chair
and a Secretary at its first meeting each calendar year and agree
to a committee structure and process for decisionmaking.
[Amended 11-14-2022 by Ord. No. 16-2022]
B. A detailed work plan and timeline
will be developed that reflects any priorities agreed to by the Commission
members. This work plan and timeline will be distributed to the Town
Council, Planning Board and other committees as appropriate for comments.
C. The Commission should strive to
achieve consensus on all recommendations while remaining sensitive
to diverse citizen views.
D. The Commission should keep any
proposed changes or amendments to municipal documents as simple and
straightforward as possible while ensuring that all proposed changes
meet minimum state requirements for land use regulation.
E. All meetings of the Commission
must be posted with required public notice and open to the public
with the appropriate level of public participation to be decided by
the Commission. At a minimum, an opportunity for public comment should
be provided at each meeting.
F. Written minutes of each Commission
meeting must be available to the public.
G. An annual report of the Commission's
activities must be prepared and presented to the Town Council, and
included in the annual Town report.