Norwell, Massachusetts Development News

Commission Debates Policy for Off-Schedule Meetings Amidst Hardship Claims

The North River Commission engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the process for handling requests for off-schedule meetings, particularly for applicants facing extenuating circumstances or hardships. The discussion explored various proposed language options for a policy, aiming to balance the commission's limited meeting schedule with the need to accommodate urgent situations. Key considerations included defining 'exceptional basis,' 'hardship,' and 'practical difficulties,' ensuring legal compliance with notification requirements, and maintaining the integrity of the board's decision-making process. The commission debated whether to adopt a strict or lenient approach, the potential for opening floodgates, and the administrative burden of scheduling extra meetings. The possibility of using Zoom for such meetings and the need for clear, objective criteria were also discussed.