[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Dudley 10-29-2018 by Art. 32. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Amended 5-20-2019 by
Art. 5; 6-22-2020 by Art. 11]
The purpose of this bylaw is to establish the Agricultural Advisory
Commission in the Town of Dudley to serve as a forum for matters of
interest to farmers in Dudley and to advise the Board of Selectmen
on how the Town can best support farming in Dudley. The Commission's
five members shall include three Dudley residents who are engaged
in farming and two citizens at large interested in promoting farming.
Up to five alternate members may also be appointed, at the discretion
of the Board of Selectmen. Regular members shall have three-year,
staggered terms, and alternate members shall have one-year terms.
The Commission's duties shall include, but are not limited to:
serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits of agriculture
in Dudley; promoting agricultural-based economic opportunities in
Town; acting as mediators, advocates, educations, and/or negotiators
on farming issues; working for preservation of prime agricultural
lands; advising the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Zoning Board
of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission,
Board of Assessors, and the Open Space Committee, or any other appropriate
Town boards, on issues involving agriculture; and pursuing all initiatives
appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community. When
designated by the Board of Selectmen this Advisory Commission will
be the lead representative for the Town of Dudley and its interactions
and communications with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural
Resources. However, the Advisory Commission shall not have the authority
to bind the Town in any regard, unless otherwise authorized by the
Board of Selectmen, by bylaw, or by Town Meeting vote.
The Commission shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
