Town of Westford, MA - Conservation Commission Vacancy

Completed forms can be submitted online or returned to the Town Clerk’s Office. The Commission’s chief responsibilities are administering the State Wetlands Protection Act and local non-zoning wetlands bylaw, which primarily entails review of projects proposed to take place within 100 feet of wetlands to protect the important benefits and resource values provided by wetlands. The Commission is also responsible for acquiring and managing land for the protection of the natural resources and watersheds of the town. The Commission has over 1,700 acres in its care and custody, including the recently acquired East Boston Camps property. The Westford Conservation Commission is comprised of seven Town residents appointed by the Selectmen for three-year terms. The Commission does have some resources to pay for member education at workshops and seminars conducted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC), including attendance at the MACC Annual Meeting. Beyond becoming as knowledgeable as possible about wetlands resources and the laws and regulations protecting them, the responsibilities of a Commissioner include attendance of at least two evening meetings a month (the Commission currently meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, with occasional additional meetings), as well as at Commission site visits (which average about once a month) to inspect proposed development sites and violations. The Commission has a full time staff person, Conservation/Resource Planner William Turner, to assist it in its tasks. If you have any questions at all regarding the Commission’s work, please call Mr. Turner at 978-692-5524.