How to file for a wetlands permit

Meeting Info & Documents

Find a Conservation Area

What is the Conservation Commission?

The Conservation Commission is a 7-member volunteer board, appointed by the City Council. The Commission is responsible for administering the State Wetlands Protection Act and the City's Floodplain Ordinance, and for managing all Conservation parcels. 

The Commission is currently seeking 2 new members:
1 full-voting member, and 1 alternate member. Appointments are made by the Mayor, and terms are generally three years. Responsibilities center around meetings held every third Thursday by Zoom (from 7pm to roughly 10pm.) We strongly encourage interested individuals to attend one of our meetings to get a sense of their content. 

Click here for information on how to apply.

The Conservation Office consists of two professional staff members who support the Commission and manage numerous other green initiatives. Information, maps, and guidance are available here.

City ordinance language (Section 22-19, 22-20, 22-21) defines the purpose of the Conservation Commission. The Commission revised their Rules and Regulations in 2009 to provide more detailed information the Commission's operations, membership, etc.