HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4074 FILED ON: 6/15/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3785
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jeffrey N. Roy
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act authorizing the city known as the town of Franklin to establish a local agricultural commission with limited authority.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Jeffrey N. Roy | 10th Norfolk | 6/15/2017 |
Richard J. Ross | Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex | 6/16/2017 |
Karen E. Spilka | Second Middlesex and Norfolk | 6/22/2017 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4074 FILED ON: 6/15/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3785
By Mr. Roy of Franklin, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3785) of Jeffrey N. Roy, Richard J. Ross and Karen E. Spilka (by vote of the town) that the city known as the town of Franklin be authorized to establish a local agricultural commission. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.] |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)
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An Act authorizing the city known as the town of Franklin to establish a local agricultural commission with limited authority.
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. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, Section 8L, or any other general or special legislation, the City known as the Town of Franklin is hereby authorized to establish a local agricultural commission to be known as the Franklin Agricultural commission ("Commission").
SECTION 2. The purpose of the Commission is to promote, develop and foster agricultural resources in the Town of Franklin. The Commission is authorized to conduct the following activities: educate the public on agricultural issues; advocate for farmers and farm interests; seek to coordinate agricultural-related activities with other governmental bodies or unofficial local groups or organizations that promote agriculture; and assist farmers in resolving municipal problems or conflicts related to farms through education and communication.
SECTION 3. (a) The Commission shall consist of five members who shall be residents of the municipality. At least two of the five members shall be active farmers, employed in an agriculture-related field or have demonstrated knowledge and experience in agricultural practices or knowledge of related agricultural business.
(b) The Commission shall be appointed, as provided in the Franklin Town Charter. Each member of the Commission should serve for a term of 3 years; provided, however, that the initial members appointed under this section shall serve for terms of 1,2 or 3 years and the terms shall be arranged by the appointing authority so that the terms of approximately one-third of the Commission's members shall expire each year.
(c) The Commission shall appoint a chair, vice-chair, and a clerk annually.
SECTION 4. The Commission shall keep accurate and timely records of its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report with the clerk of the municipality. The Commission's annual report shall be posted with the municipality's public website and shall be printed in the annual town report each year.
SECTION 5. This act shall become effective upon passage.