Regular Public Meetings
Agendas and Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes
Members
- Clayton Hutchinson, Chair
- Linsie Dillon, Vice-Chair
- Clifford Bassett, Board Member
- Deborah Cato, Board Member
- Steven Farquharson, Board Member
- Jillian Miller, Board Member
- Jessica Marino, Board Member
Overview
The Conservation Commission, a seven-member volunteer board, was established under the authority of the Conservation Commission Act of 1957 to protect the community’s natural resources and to acquire lands for conservation and passive recreation. Currently, the Commission owns approximately 600 acres of land in town which will remain protected as conservation land in perpetuity. The Commission’s other primary responsibility is to administer the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL, Chapter 131, Section 40), a law that protects wetlands and the public interests they serve, including:
- Flood control
- Prevention of pollution and storm damage
- Protection of public and private water supplies, groundwater supply, fisheries, land containing shellfish, and wildlife habitats.
In administering the Act, the Commission reviews proposed activities within wetland resource areas and buffer zones in accordance with the Wetland Protection Act Regulations (310 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 10.00) to ensure that these activities will not alter wetland resources and the public interests they provide.
The Conservation Commission also manages Falls Pond and Whitings Pond, both acquired by the Town in the 1960s for recreation and flood control purposes. The public beaches at Barbara Road (the Joseph F. Zaino Memorial Conservation and Recreation Area) and Broadway Extension (the Dr. Robert Fitzgerald Conservation Area) are operated by the Park and Recreation Department from July to August and are open to North Attleboro residents. Both ponds are stocked by the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) in the early spring and fall and there are state boat ramps for pond access. The dams at both ponds (upper Falls and Whitings) are also controlled by the Commission in coordination with the Department of Public Works.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding wetlands or if you are unsure if a proposed activity is within the jurisdiction of the Commission, please contact the Conservation Administrator who is available to assist the public.
