4.1 ACTIONS BY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Any action by the Conservation Commission is to be taken by a majority of the members present at a meeting. A meeting must be attended by a quorum of Commissioners. A quorum is defined as a majority of the members then in office. The Town of Sturbridge Commission has 5 appointed members, 3 must be present. A majority of commissioners in office must vote in favor of a project for it to be approved. The previously held standard for conservation commission approval was that a vote of a majority of the commissioners present would approve a project. Please note that this has recently changed.
Where an order or notification shall be signed by a majority of the Conservation Commission, that action is to be taken by a majority of the members then in office, who need not convene as a body in order to sign, provided they met pursuant to the open meeting law when voting on the matter. The administrative clerk, agent, a member of the Conservation Commission or an individual designated by the Conservation Commission may receive requests or notices, conduct site visits on behalf of the Commission, and act on administrative matters.
Orders of Conditions and Determinations of Applicability shall be signed by a majority of the Conservation Commission. Copies shall be sent by the Conservation Commission to the DEP, the person making the request, the Building Inspector, the Town Clerk, the Board of Health agent when septic plans are involved and to the property owner. Delivery of the copy to the person making the request shall be by hand delivery or certified mail, return receipt requested. Said permit shall be valid for three years from the date of issuance. Orders of Conditions and Determinations of Applicability issued for Utility Company Right of Way Management shall be valid throughout the effective duration of the Vegetation Management Plan. Letter Permits are valid for one year. Approved amendments are
valid only for the duration of the original permit. Extensions may be granted for up to 5 years at the discretion of the Commission.
Public hearings may be continued as follows:
1. With the consent of the applicant, to an agreed-upon time, date, and location, which shall be announced at the posted hearing.
2. The date, time and place certain of said continued hearing shall be stated at the public hearing and notice posted on the Commission office board and the Town Clerks office board at least 48 hours prior to the continuation date.
3. If the applicant does not consent to a continuation in advance of the hearing, or is not present to give consent to a request for a continuation of the public hearing, the hearing shall be closed and a decision rendered based on the information available to the Commission at that time.
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