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Bolton panel separates wetlands regulation review from fee schedule after town attorney advice
Summary
The commission learned the town cannot charge compliance fees without an enabling ordinance, and agreed to review regulation text separately from fees so the Board of Selectmen and Town Attorney can review legal authority before a public hearing.
At its Nov. 18 meeting the Bolton Inland Wetlands Commission discussed proposed updates to its wetlands regulations and the related fee schedule, and resolved to separate the regulation language review from the fee discussion after a procedural clarification.
Alyssa Barroso, the wetlands agent, told commissioners she had discovered the town cannot charge compliance fees unless an ordinance authorizes them. Commissioners and staff agreed to complete the commission-level review of the regulation text first and to have the Board of Selectmen and Town Attorney examine the legal authority for any fee changes before scheduling a public hearing.
Member Michael McDonnell said he would circulate the proposed updates to the wetlands regulations to commission members for review prior to presenting them to the Board of Selectmen. Chair Ross Lally noted there are no proposed increases to the FY27 budget request at this time and the commission will return to the fee discussion after legal review.
No changes to regulations or fees were adopted at the meeting; the commission directed staff to circulate materials and to continue the review process.
