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Town meeting adopts bylaw shifting stormwater permitting to Department of Public Works
Summary
Canton voters adopted Article 32, amending the general bylaws to move most stormwater permitting authority from the Conservation Commission to the Department of Public Works and to establish major and minor permit categories to streamline review.
The finance committee moved and the town meeting adopted Article 32, a bylaw amendment that changes the town's stormwater permitting process.
Finance Committee Chair Emilio said the amendment would "streamline the process of stormwater management permits to allow greater efficiency while continuing to preserve public health, safety, and environmental protection." The change shifts permitting authorization from the Conservation Commission to the Department of Public Works or designated DPW agents, and establishes major and minor permit criteria so smaller requests face a less intensive review process.
Supporters said the two-category approach is intended to speed decisions for minor projects while retaining oversight for larger, higher-impact proposals. No speakers asked substantive questions during the presentation, and the moderator called the vote; the moderator declared the article adopted by majority vote.
The measure revises local permitting authority and the town will need to implement the new review criteria and any procedural forms at DPW before the change takes effect.
