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Town meeting adopts bylaw shifting stormwater permits to Public Works
Summary
Canton voters adopted Article 32 to move stormwater permitting authority from the Conservation Commission to the Department of Public Works and to create separate major and minor permit categories intended to speed smaller requests while preserving public health and environmental protections.
CANTON — Town meeting voters adopted Article 32 on voice vote after the finance committee described an amendment to the general bylaws that shifts stormwater permitting authorization from the Conservation Commission to the Department of Public Works (DPW) or, in some cases, designated DPW agents.
"This amendment would shift permitting regulatory authorization from the conservation commission to the Department of Public Works or in some case, a designated agents of the DPW," the finance committee chair (Emilio) said, adding the change would "establish major and minor permit criteria" to allow less onerous processes for smaller requests.
The finance committee framed the amendment as a streamlining measure designed to increase efficiency while continuing to preserve public health, safety and environmental protection. There was no extended debate after the description; the moderator noted the article required a majority vote and declared Article 32 adopted.
Supporters said the separate major/minor categories would make permitting more predictable for applicants and easier for town staff to process; opponents did not raise a formal motion to amend during the floor discussion. The amendment, as presented by the finance committee, transfers day-to-day permitting responsibility to the DPW, leaving conservation oversight and environmental protection goals as stated purposes of the bylaw.
The article was moved and seconded as printed in the warrant and carried on a voice vote.
