less than $5,000.00

over $5,000

In processing any application, if it is determined by the Planning and Zoning Commission, Inland Wetland Agency or the Zoning Board of Appeals that it is reasonable and necessary for it to engage the consultant services of one or more technical or professional experts to aid the Commission, Agency or Board in evaluating or determining the application, the Commission, Agency or Board may retain such outside assistance and charge the applicant for all such expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred, as an additional fee. The Commission, Agency or Board shall select, in its sole discretion, the persons or entities who are to be the outside consultant(s). In all such situations, the Commission Agency or Board is the sole client of the outside consultant.

Upon determination that such expertise is required, the Planning and Zoning Commission, Inland Wetland Agency or Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman with staff assistance, is authorized to create and implement whatever procedures are determined to be reasonable and necessary to charge and collect any such technical or professional consultant fees from an applicant. Any such procedure may include the requirement of a deposit paid by the applicant at or soon after the time of application submission and prior to the retention of any such technical or professional consultant so as to ensure payment by the applicant of such reasonable and necessary fee. If the applicant fails or refuses to deposit the actual or estimated fee for consultant services, the Commission, Agency or Board may determine that the application is incomplete which shall be sufficient grounds for denial of the application. If Town expenditures for consultant assistance exceed applicant deposits, the applicant shall submit additional funds within five (5) days upon receipt of notice from the Town. Any consultant fee deposits remaining after the application review shall be returned to the applicant.