Town attorney outlines IWC training and says recordings are only mandated for public hearings

At a virtual special meeting April 29, 2025, the Inland Wetlands Commission of the Town of Avon heard a training presentation from Town Attorney Kenneth Slater of Halloran and Sage LLP on municipal inland-wetlands commission requirements. The session was held via GoToMeeting and attended by a seven-member commission and the town wetlands agent.

Slater presented a slide show and answered questions from commissioners about recordkeeping and meeting requirements. When Chair Michael Feldman asked whether it was necessary to have a recording or minutes for this training meeting, Slater said, “it was not required and the only time that a recording is mandated is for public hearings and deliberations on IWC applications so there is a record available if there was ever an appeal from the decision.” Emily Kyle, Planning and Community Development Specialist/Wetlands Agent, was present to receive the training and participate in the discussion.

The guidance clarified that routine training sessions for the commission are not subject to the recording requirement; by contrast, Slater noted that public hearings and deliberations on applications must have a record to preserve evidence for any future appeal. No formal action was taken on policy at the meeting; commissioners were provided the training and the commission adjourned later in the evening.