This bylaw is adopted under authority of MGL c. 40, § 15C.
The purpose of the scenic roads bylaw is to protect the scenic qualities
of a road which is being repaired, maintained, reconstructed or paved.
If none of these activities are taking place, then the scenic roads
bylaw does not apply.
As specified by Special Legislation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
a joint committee of four members from the Groveland Road Study Committee,
appointed by the Road Study Committee, and the three members of the
Board of Selectmen shall constitute the administering authority for
the Scenic Roads Bylaw.
Once a road is designated as a scenic road, any repair, maintenance
or paving work with respect to the road may not include cutting or
removal of trees or tearing down or destruction of stone walls except
with the prior written consent of the administering authority. The
administering authority must first hold a public hearing within 30
days of receiving the request for consent for such work, duly advertised
twice in a newspaper of general circulation, the last advertisement
at least seven days prior to the hearing date. If the contemplated
road work includes the cutting of public shade trees, the authorizing
committee's hearing under the scenic roads statute shall be combined
with the Tree Warden's public shade tree hearing.
The administering authority, and the Tree Warden, if required,
shall make a decision to authorize or deny the work request within
14 days of the public hearing, unless a longer time is agreed to by
the applicant for the work. The administering authority, and the Tree
Warden, if required, shall submit their decision in writing to the
applicant and to the Town Clerk. Any consent granted must be implemented
within two years of issue or it will become null and void and must
be re-applied for.