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. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 53 or 53G of chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the conservation commission of the town of Andover may provide, by rule promulgated hereunder, for the imposition of reasonable fees for the employment of outside consultants and may deposit such fees in a special account.

(b) Any such account shall be established by the town treasurer and shall be kept separate and apart from other monies. Said special account, including accrued interest, if any, shall be expended at the direction of the conservation commission without further appropriation; provided, however, that such funds are to be expended by it only in connection with carrying out its responsibilities under the law. Any excess amount in the account attributable to a specific project, including any accrued interest, at the completion of said project shall be repaid to the applicant or to the applicant's successor in interest and a final report of said account shall be made available to the applicant or to the applicant's successor in interest.

(c) The town accountant shall submit annually a report of said special account to the board of selectmen and town manager for their review. Said report shall be published in the town annual report. Said town accountant shall submit annually a copy of said report to the director of the bureau of accounts.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.