The Lexington Conservation Commission was established by the vote of Town Meeting in 1963 to "protect and preserve the natural resources of the town and acquire land for conservation and recreation purposes." That mandate was expanded in 1965 and again in 1972 when the Wetlands Protection Act was created. The enabling State legislation, originally enacted in 1963, may be found under the General Laws of Massachusetts Chapter 40:Section 8C. You can access the full text of that law at http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/40-8C.htm. It administers and enforces protection for wetlands in accordance with the terms of the Federal Rivers & Harbors Act (33 US Code Part 403) and the State Wetlands Protection law M.G.L. 131 Section 40A (Orders protecting inland wetlands.) and the Town's Bylaw XXXII for Wetland Protection as amended in 1985, 1990 and 1992. Under that Bylaw the Commission has issued Rules Adopted By The Lexington Conservation Commission Pursuant To By-Laws Article Xxxii, General By-Law For Wetland Protection which have the force of law.
Under those laws, referenced above, it also may acquire, in the name of the town, land, easements, conservation restrictions or other contractual rights as necessary to maintain, improve, limit the future use of, conserve and properly utilize open spaces in land and water areas of the town and manage and control the same. There are a total of more than 1300 acres of town owned conservation lands in Lexington under the direct control of the Commission. Many other wetland areas under private ownership are protected by conservation easements or conservation restrictions on development.
A major aspect of the Commission's work is reviewing, approving and controlling the conditions under which work may be done which affects a river, stream or wetland in Lexington. Anyone seeking to do any work within 100 feet of a wetland, 200 feet of a river or stream, or in any area that may cause additional runoff into a wetland, river , or stream must obtain prior approval of the Commission.In order to get that approval they must file documents, providing complete information on the site and the proposed work, under one of the two following procedures:
The 7 Conservation Commisioners are appointed by the Town Manager, with the approval of the Selectmen and serve 3 year terms. There are also at present 5 Associate Commisioners for specific duties.The commission's only paid personnel are the full time Conservation Administrator and a part time secretary.
The Commission holds regular meetings. They are usually scheduled for alternate Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.in Room G15 of the Town Office Building. The Schedule of Meetings is publicly posted on the bulletin board opposite the Town Clerk's office entrance, just inside the Town Office Building main entrance.(Click here for an unofficial Calendar listing for the rest of this year) A 10 minute public comment period is usually held at the beginning of each regular meeting, so that any concerned citizen can raise issues or ask brief questions regarding Conservation matters without previous arrangements. Following that comment period the agenda of hearings and other scheduled business begins. Other special meetings may be held in other locations and at other times, as required, and with sufficient advanced public notice as required under the Open Meetings laws of the Commonwealth.
Return to the Conservation Home Page.
Last updated 12/10/01