The City Council may require the completion of relevant studies before allowing an annexation proposal to go forward for initial public hearing. Any studies required by the City Council as a prerequisite to consideration of an annexation request shall be conducted by City staff or by a consultant chosen and engaged by the City. The estimated costs of such studies shall be prepaid by the annexation applicant before the studies are undertaken. Any consultant engaged to perform specified tasks in the course of evaluating the consequences of a possible annexation shall serve the City of Athol as its client, not the parties requesting annexation. Any such studies shall be conducted in accordance with direction from the City to determine the anticipated consequences of the proposed annexation. Such studies shall become public documents upon their completion and shall be made available to the applicant and other interested parties prior to the conduct of any deliberations. (Ord. 410, 1-17-2017)