§ 310-5.02. Consultant fee.

A. 

Pursuant to MGL c. 44, § 53G, the Board is authorized to require an applicant to post reasonable fees for employment of outside consultants.

B. 

The Board may require the payment of a consultant fee at any time during the hearing or deliberations prior to a final decision by an affirmative vote of four (4) voting members.

C. 

The consultant fee may be required for opinions regarding, but not limited to, peer review of reports and opinions and land use law.

D. 

The applicant shall pay the consultant fee to the Town to be put into a special purpose account established by the Board that may be drawn upon by the Board at one of its open meetings.

E. 

The Board shall return any unused portion of the consultant fee, including interest accrued, if any, to the applicant.

F. 

Any applicant aggrieved by the imposition of, or the amount of, the consultant fee, or any act related thereto, may appeal according to the provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws.