Maine § 2171. - Citizen advisory committee

§ 2171.. Citizen advisory committee

The municipal officers of each municipality identified by the bureau as a potential site for a waste disposal facility and each contiguous municipality that may be affected by the construction or operation of that facility shall jointly establish a single citizen advisory committee within 60 days of notification pursuant to section 2155.   [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §51 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §70 (AFF).]

1.  Membership.  The committee must be comprised of citizens from each affected municipality, appointed by the municipal officers, including, but not limited to: a local health officer; a municipal officer; and at least 3 additional residents of the municipality, including abutting property owners and residents potentially affected by pollution from the facility. In addition, each committee may include members representing any of the following interests: environmental and community groups; labor groups; professionals with expertise relating to landfills or incinerators; experts in the areas of chemistry, epidemiology, hydrogeology and biology; and legal experts.

2.  Meetings.  The committee shall meet as soon as practical following appointment of its members and shall select a chair from among its members. The committee shall establish procedures for the conduct of meetings.

3.  Responsibilities.  Each committee established under this section may:

A. Review proposed contracts, site analyses, applications and other documents relating to the location, construction, permitting and operation of the facility;   [PL 1993, c. 310, Pt. B, §5 (AMD).]

B. Hold periodic public meetings to solicit the opinions of residents concerning the facility and any permit applications, contracts or other provisions relating to the facility and the regional plan;   [PL 1993, c. 310, Pt. B, §5 (AMD).]

C. Provide the project developer and department with any alternative contract provisions, permit conditions, plans or procedures it considers appropriate; and   [PL 1993, c. 310, Pt. B, §5 (AMD).]

D. Serve as a liaison between the community and the project developer or the commissioner to facilitate communications during the development and operation of the facility, and provide residents with updated information about the project, including providing explanations of any technical terms.   [PL 1993, c. 310, Pt. B, §5 (AMD).]

4.  Unincorporated townships and plantations.  For the purposes of this subchapter, county commissioners shall act as municipal officers for unincorporated townships and assessors of plantations shall act as municipal officers for plantations.