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Select Board OKs legal drafting to split mobile-home/RV/campground amendments into zoning and licensure ordinances
Summary
After planning-board recommendations and advisory-committee work, the Select Board authorized Perkins Thompson to draft two separate ordinance documents so the proposed mobile-home/RV/campground rules can be embedded in the zoning ordinance and handled as a standalone annual licensure ordinance.
The Town of Wayne Select Board voted March 4 to hire the law firm Perkins Thompson to draft amended ordinances that will divide proposed mobile home, recreational vehicle and campground rules into (1) zoning performance standards incorporated into the zoning ordinance and (2) a stand-alone annual licensure (police-power) ordinance.
The action follows a planning board memorandum recommending that the planning board's proposed amendments be restructured into two documents before going on the town meeting warrant. Ted Tucci, who identified himself as a participant in the advisory committee, told the board that the advisory committee had already prepared a revised campground/mobile-home/RV draft; he said Perkins Thompson's role should be to place the performance standards in the correct sections of the existing Wayne zoning ordinance and finalize the licensure ordinance for annual renewal.
Why it matters: The planning board and advisory committee conducted public hearings on the proposed changes; splitting the document is intended to embed technical land-use performance standards into the town's master zoning ordinance while leaving licensure and annual licensing requirements as a separate regulatory document to protect public health and safety.
Motion and cost: The board moved and approved a resolution to accept the planning board's 02/20/2025 memorandum recommendations and to engage Perkins Thompson to perform the drafting task. The board discussed the likely scope: Perkins Thompson estimated roughly 15 to 20 hours to perform the work; the board estimated a $4,000–$6,000 range depending on hours billed and hourly rate. The engagement letter will specify the 15–20 hour estimate and require Perkins Thompson to notify the town if more time is needed.
Process and next steps: Once Perkins Thompson prepares (a) an amended zoning ordinance embedding performance standards and (b) a stand-alone licensure ordinance, the draft documents will be returned to the planning board for the required public hearings and votes; the planning board will then forward final versions for the town-meeting warrant. Select Board member Henry emphasized the need to confirm timing with Perkins Thompson so the work can be completed in time to reach the June 10 town-meeting warrant schedule.
Ending: The board approved the legal engagement and asked staff to confirm budget availability and to prepare an engagement letter that limits hours and requires notice if additional time is necessary. The ordinance drafts themselves were not adopted at the March 4 meeting.
