The members of the Conservation Commission are appointed by the Town Administrator.
COMMISSION MISSION
Under the Wetlands Protection Act (Massachusetts General Law 131, Section 40), the Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over all of the wetlands in West Boylston (including streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds marshes and swamps) and all land within the 100 foot buffer zone adjacent to the waterways and wetlands. Under this law, the Conservation Commission is charged with protecting these natural resources to prevent pollution, protect drinking water, to improve flood control, to protect wildlife and to protect fisheries. With our close proximity to
the Wachusett Reservoir, many areas in town are particularly sensitive.
The Conservation Commission consists of 3 to 7 registered voters who live in the community. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month, except when the first Wednesday is a legal holiday. All Conservation Commission meetings are open to the public. Anyone wishing to join the Commission, either as a full or associate (non-voting) member is invited to contact any Commission member or the Town Administrator.
We attempt to work proactively with all West Boylston residents and businesses to comply with the Wetlands Protection Act and the Riverfront (Cohen Bill) amendment. We have an "Open Door" policy at all of our meetings and will meet informally with anyone who has questions about proposed land use in the vicinity of wetlands or whether land falls within our jurisdiction.
FILING WITH THE COMMISSION
Anyone considering a new land use within 200 feet of a stream or 100 feet of a pond, marsh or swamp should contact the Commission. Applicants wishing to appear before the West Boylston Conservation Commission may obtain documents online at the MA Department of Environmental Protection website or from the links above.
Some common proceedings before the Conservation Commission are:
REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION
This request leads to a determination of whether the Commission has jurisdiction and, if so, will the resource be affected. As a result of this action, the Commission may find any of the following:
1. |
The Commission has jurisdiction and will require a Notice of Intent (see below.) |
2. |
The Commission will not require a Notice of Intent, but will impose Conditions |
3. |
The Commission does not have jurisdiction |
NOTICE OF INTENT
This document requires a Public Hearing, with notification of all of the abutters to the property. It usually requires the preparation of plans by a Registered Professional Engineer. Once the Public Hearing is complete, the Commission will either:
1. |
Issue an Order of conditions for the proposed work, or |
2. |
Deny the project for inability to adequately protect the resource |
Commission decisions may be appealed to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection by the applicant, abutters or a group of citizens of the town.
An Order of Conditions is valid for a period of 3 years, and may be extended for up to 3 years.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
A Certificate of Compliance is a legal document indicating that an Order of Conditions has been satisfied or that no work has occurred. This Certificate may be required for a property to be transferred to a new owner.
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