[Amended 3-9-2004]
The Inland Wetlands Commission shall not hold
a public hearing on an application unless the Inland Wetlands Commission
determines that the proposed activity may have a significant impact
on wetlands or water courses, a petition signed by at least 25 persons
who are 18 years of age or older and who reside in the municipality
in which the regulated activity is proposed, requesting a hearing
is filed with the Commission not later than 14 days after the date
of receipt of such application, or the Commission finds that a public
hearing regarding such application would be in the public interest.
The Commission may issue a permit without a public hearing, provided
no petition provided for in this section is filed with the Commission
on or before the 14th day after the date of receipt of such application.
Such hearing shall be held no later than 65 days after the receipt
of such application. All applications and maps and documents relating
thereto shall be open for public inspection. At such hearing any person
or persons may appear and be heard and may be represented by agent
or by attorney.
Notice of the public hearing shall be published
at least twice at intervals of not less than two days, the first not
more than 15 days and not fewer than 10 days, and the last not less
than two days before the date set for the hearing in a newspaper having
a general circulation in each Town where the affected wetland and
water course is located.
Notice of the public hearing shall be mailed
by the Commission to the owner(s) of record of abutting land as supplied
by the applicant no less than 15 days prior to the day of the hearing.
In the case of any application which is subject to the notification provisions of §
381-32 of these regulations, a public hearing shall not be conducted until the Clerk of the adjoining municipality(ies) has received notice of the pendency of the application. Proof of such notification shall be entered into the hearing record.