Session Laws

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. There is hereby established the Canoe River aquifer advisory committee, hereinafter referred to as the committee, whose member towns shall include the towns of Easton, Mansfield, Norton and Foxborough. Said committee shall inform and educate the public about water conservation and the condition of the Canoe river aquifer.

SECTION 2. Said committee shall consist of three members from each member town. Such persons shall be appointed on or before July first of each year by the board of selectmen of their respective towns.

Initial terms of office for members from each town shall be for one, two, and three years, respectively. Thereafter, terms of office, shall be for three years. Members of the committee shall be eligible for reappointment.

The committee shall organize formally within sixty days of its initial appointment, and elect from its members a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary for terms of one year each. The committee shall prepare an annual report in writing of its activities in the previous fiscal year, such report to be provided to the board of selectmen of each member town by July thirtieth of each year.

SECTION 3. The Canoe river aquifer watershed is hereby defined as the watershed area outlined as the Canoe River Watershed on the aquifer protection study map, Town of Easton, MA, dated 1986, Plate #2, completed by I.E.P., Inc., said watershed being within the boundaries of the towns of Easton, Mansfield, Norton and Foxborough.

Said committee shall advise the board of selectmen, planning boards, and other boards, committees and agencies of member towns relative to developments, conservation and zoning within the Canoe river aquifer.

SECTION 4. Any plan submitted for the development of any land within the Canoe river aquifer shall be submitted to said committee at the time of submission to the planning board, conservation commissions, boards of health, or any other local agencies having similar jurisdiction in the towns of Easton, Mansfield, Norton and Foxborough. Said committee shall study such plans and shall report its findings and recommendations, if any, to the respective local board or agency having such jurisdiction prior to the decision of such board or agency. Failure to timely provide its findings and recommendations, if any, shall not be deemed to stay action of the respective local board or agency, if such board or agency is required by law to act within a certain time period.