Source: https://ecode360.com/10443025
Timestamp: 2019-01-19 16:51:55
Document Index: 179719424

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', '§ 121', 'Art. 46', '§ 3', '§ 9', '§ 125', '§ 1']

Town of Orange, MA FARMING
Town of Orange, MA
Ch 12 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Ch 64 SUITS AGAINST TOWN
Ch 69 TOWN COLLECTOR
Ch 73 TOWN MEETING
Ch 76 TOWN PROPERTY, DISPOSITION OF
Ch 103 BUILDINGS, NUMBERING OF
Ch 121 FARMING
§ 121-1 Legislative purpose and intent.
§ 121-3 Right to farm declaration.
§ 121-4 Disclosure notification.
§ 121-5 Resolution of disputes.
Ch 134 MOTORBOATS
Ch 145 PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS
Ch 167 SKATEBOARDS AND SCOOTERS
Ch 220 BODY ART ESTABLISHMENTS AND PRACTITIONERS
Ch 275 RECYCLING
Ch 282 SMOKING AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Ch 291 WELLS
PART V, ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
Ch 300 AIRPORT REGULATIONS
Ch 307 CEMETERY REGULATIONS
Ch 329 LIBRARY TRUSTEES REGULATIONS
Ch 343 ROAD OPENING PERMIT REGULATIONS
Ch 364 WATER DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS
Chapter 121 FARMING
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Annual Town Meeting of the Town of Orange 5-2-2005, Art. 46. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Right to farm declaration.
Disclosure notification.
The purpose and intent of this bylaw is to state with emphasis the right to farm accorded to all citizens of the Commonwealth under Article 97 of the Constitution, and all state statutes and regulations thereunder, including but not limited to MGL c.40A, § 3, Paragraph 1; c.90, § 9, c. 111, § 125A; and c.128, § 1A. We the citizens of Orange restate and republish these rights pursuant to the Town's authority conferred by Article 89 of the Articles of Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution ("Home Rule Amendment").
This general bylaw encourages the pursuit of agriculture, promotes agriculture-based economic opportunities, and protects farmlands within the Town of Orange by allowing agricultural uses and related activities to function with minimal conflict with abutters and Town agencies. This bylaw shall apply to all jurisdictional areas within the Town.
Includes any parcel or contiguous parcels of land, or water bodies used for the primary purpose of commercial agriculture, or accessory thereto.
FARMING or AGRICULTURE (or their derivatives)
Growing and harvesting of forest products upon forestland, and any other forestry or lumbering operations;
The right to farm is hereby recognized to exist within the Town of Orange. The above-described agricultural activities may occur at any time, including on holidays, weekdays, and weekends by night or day and shall include the attendant incidental noise, odors, dust, and fumes associated with normally accepted agricultural practices. It is hereby determined that whatever impact may be caused to others through the normal practice of agriculture is more than offset by the benefits of farming to the neighborhood, community, and society in general. The benefits and protections of this bylaw are intended to apply exclusively to those commercial agricultural and farming operations and activities conducted in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices. Moreover, nothing in this Right to Farm Bylaw shall be deemed as acquiring any interest in land, or as imposing any land use regulation, which is properly the subject of state statute, regulation, or local zoning law.
"It is the policy of this community to conserve, protect and encourage the maintenance and improvement of agricultural land for the production of food, and other agricultural products, and also for its natural and ecological value. This disclosure notification is to inform buyers or occupants that the property they are about to acquire or occupy lies within a town where farming activities occur. Such farming activities may include, but are not limited to, activities that cause noise, dust and odors."
In addition a copy of this disclosure notification shall be printed in the Town Report Yearly.
Any person who seeks to complain about the operation of a farm may, notwithstanding pursuing any other available remedy, file a grievance with the Town Administrator. The filing of the grievance does not suspend the time within which to pursue any other available remedies that the aggrieved may have. The Town Administrator shall refer the aggrieved party to the appropriate Town Board or municipal official and shall facilitate the resolution of the grievance involving all concerned parties, and report its recommendations to the Board of Selectmen within an agreed-upon time frame.