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Avon Council approves ordinance permitting Inland Wetlands to charge complex application fee
Summary
The Town Council voted unanimously Oct. 10 to amend Chapter 45 §25 to allow the Inland Wetlands Commission to assess an additional complex‑application fee to cover third‑party review costs; the amendment passed after a brief public hearing and no recorded opposition.
The Avon Town Council voted unanimously on Oct. 10 to amend Town Ordinance Chapter 45, Article 2, Section 25 to permit the Inland Wetlands Commission to charge an additional fee for complex applications to cover review costs. Chairman Polhamus opened the public hearing and noted the change would allow the Commission to hire third‑party consultants to provide unbiased review.
Michael Sacks, a member of the Inland Wetlands Commission, attended to answer questions during the hearing. After hearing from the Commission member, the Council closed the hearing and moved to adopt the amendment. The motion to amend the ordinance passed with Mmes. Ausiello, Barthel, Bratton and Messrs. Polhamus and Weber voting in favor.
Why it matters: the change creates an explicit revenue mechanism so the Commission can pay outside consultants when applications are technically or environmentally complex, reducing the Commission’s reliance on internal staff and helping ensure independent expert review where needed. The change takes effect per town procedures for ordinance amendments and will be posted in the Town Clerk’s office for public inspection.
