Laserfiche WebLink
Public Hearing Guidelines <br /> Notice of any public hearing must be mailed to all parties in interest as specified in the applicable <br /> statute, by-law or Board regulation or to those parties specified by the Board for hearings regarding <br /> items not covered by said statues, by-laws or regulations, be submitted to the Town clerk for posting <br /> on the Torn"s principal .bulletin boa rd and be published in a new spaper in general circulation in the <br /> Torn of Iashpee as required by the applicable statute. <br /> The chair should strive for balance in all public hearings, providing the applicant and other <br /> proponents, and opponents an equal opportunity to speak. For example, unless otherwise determined <br /> by the Board, the chair may allocate public hearing time as follows: 1 hour for the applicant and <br /> other proponents, 1 hour or more) to entertain questions from members of the Board; i 4 hour for <br /> staff report; 1 hour for those in opposition; and I hour for final comments. These time allocations <br /> will vary depending on the size and comple city of the project. <br /> Continued hearings may be held at the discretion of the Board and should be held when additional <br /> information and/or negotiations are necessary. The chair should allow only new information to be <br /> presented at subsequent hearings and provide all interested persons with an opportunity to rebut <br /> information presented, clearings should be continued as needed until all information is presented and <br /> issues requiring negotiation are resolved. In certain cases, although not required by laver, it may be <br /> appropriate to provide additional notice to abutters, a in a case where a hearing is opened only for <br /> procedural reasons and substantive testimony is expected to begin at a later date, or when there will <br /> be an extensive period of time until the continued public hearing. <br /> During the public hearing it is appropriate to explore areas- in which conditions might be needed. <br /> During the public hearing Board members should: <br /> a Be careful to avoid the appearance of partiality. <br /> b Becareful to avoid negotiation of final conditions too early in the process. <br /> Negotiation of specific conditions is likely premature at the beginning of the public hearing process. <br /> Conditions should be negotiated after substantial testimony is received and it is clear exactly what the <br /> impacts from the proposed devel pment are likely to be. Mitigation must be based upon the actual <br /> impacts of a proposed development. If mitigation takes the form of a financial contribution, the <br /> financial contribution shall be the estimated full or proportional share of the cost of mitigating such <br /> impacts. <br /> Board members should refrain from making statements about their ultimate decision until after the <br /> hearing and record are closed. <br /> Ex Pam Communicaitions <br /> Board members should not have direct contact with applicants or heir representatives outside of the <br /> public meeting or hearing process. If contacted by an applicant or representative, one should explain <br /> that such communications may only occur daring a public meeting or hearing. failings received by <br /> Board members directly from applicants or representatives should not be opened or read, but should <br /> be forwarded to staff for distribution to the Board at the net public meeting or hearing dealing with <br /> the application, <br /> 2 <br />