INLAND-WETLAND COMMISSION
Adopted: December 19, 2989 at a Special Town Meeting
Published: December 28, 1989
Effective Date: January 12, 1990
WETLANDS AND WATER COURSES, INLAND
WHEREAS the State of Connecticut enacted legislation known as “The Inland-Wetlands and Water Courses Act”, has declared that the preservation and protection of the inland wetlands and water courses in the State is in the best interests of the citizens of the State, and
WHEREAS said Act authorizes each Town to establish its own Inland Wetlands Agency to preserve and protect the wetlands and watercourses in such Town and promulgate regulations therefore:
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN OF BOLTON THAT:
Article 1. Inland-Wetland Commission
A separate Inland-Wetland Commission is hereby appointed and authorized to act as the Inland Wetland Agency by the Town of Bolton. The 1974 “Wetlands and Water Courses, Inland” Ordinance establishing this authority within the Conservation Commission is hereby repealed.
Article 2. Membership
A) The Inland-Wetland Commission shall consist of five (5) members and one (1) alternate, each of whom shall serve a term of three (3) years. One or two members shall be appointed annually to succeed the member(s) whose term of office expires in that year. The alternate shall attend meetings and vote in the stead of any regular member not present.
B) Members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 3. Duties
Said Commission shall oversee the development, supervision and enforcement of State wetlands regulations within the Town of Bolton; adopt local program regulations and a map showing the general location of regulated areas within the Town; evaluate the impacts of proposed activities on wetlands and watercourses; carry out the purposes and policies of sections 22a-36 to 22a-45 of the Connecticut General Statutes relating to regulating, licensing and enforcement of the provision thereof; carry out and effectuate the purpose and policies of Connecticut General Statutes Sections 22a-36 to 22a-45; define local needs and goals for wetland protection; prudently manage the activities within wetland and watercourse boundaries in the Town of Bolton;
Said Commission shall exercise all incidental powers including but not limited to the issuance of orders necessary to enforce rules and regulations and to carry out the purposes of Sections 22a-36 through 22a-45; encourage, participate in or conduct studies, investigations and research with regard to wetlands in the Town; grant, deny, limit or modify in accordance with the provisions of the State regulations an application for a license or permit for any proposed regulated activity within Bolton; conduct public hearings as necessary on relevant wetland issues and applications.
Article 4. Suspension and Removal of Members
Except as otherwise provided by the General Statutes, suspension and removal of Inland-Wetland Commission members shall be conducted in the manner outlined in Chapter 13 – Section 13.1 (a-e) of the Bolton Town Charter pertaining to the authority of and the process by which the Board of Selectmen suspends and removes any appointed Town officer or any member of any appointed Town commission, board or agency for cause.
Article 5. Penalty
Except as otherwise provided by the General Statutes, the regulations enacted by the authority of this ordinance shall provide that any person who commits, takes part in or assists in any violation of such regulation, after the adoption of said regulations, shall be fined not more than One Thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars for each separate offense. Each day that any violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
Article 6. Effective Date
The effective date of this ordinance shall be fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Bolton in accordance with Section 7-157 of the Connecticut General Statutes as amended.