The Middleboro Conservation Commission has an opening for a new member. One of my secret sources from the bowels of town government outlined the time commitment and responsibilities and some general information about the ConCom. Step up and help out

• It is an appointed position and one would become a voting member
• The person interested should first come to a couple of meetings to see if they are still interested and to find out what it is about and so that the members can answer any questions the person may have.
• Next if the person is still interested after all of that and the commission feels they are a good fit they will recommend them to the Town Manager for an interview. After that the Town Manager appoints them and the Selectmen vote on the appointment.
• Then the person needs to get sworn in at the Town Clerk’s office, take the Ethics test, sign and turn that into the Clerk.
• Come to the Conservation Department where we will give them copies of the Wetlands Protection Act, Open Meeting Law, Policy, Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions handbook, Roberts Rules of Order, and other pertinent documentation.
• They would be required to attend 2 meetings a month (usually the first and third Thursdays of each month) – Usually we only have one meeting in July, August and December. If they can’t make a meeting they need to notify the Conservation Department. Meetings start at 7PM with public hearing beginning at 7:30 PM. The length of our meetings vary but usually go from 7PM to 10PM but can go later.
• They should be willing to attend site inspections to look at properties that are going to be before them
• Read and respond to meeting minutes prior to them being approved.
• Attend any trainings put on by MACC or other group that will help understand the wetland laws and land protection better.
• Usually the Commission has applications before them that pertain to the Wetlands Protection Act and building proposed within the 100-foot buffer zone of a wetland or within 200-feet of a river. They deal with land protection, land donations, the open space & recreation plan, group use requests for the use of conservation land, complaints, violations and enforcement of the Wetlands Protection Act, Stormwater Management, forestry plans, protection of the eight interests of the Wetlands Protection Act, Boy Scout Eagle Projects, and many other things that can come up as they pertain to the laws that govern the commission.