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this complex project. The Commission is assisted in this task by a professional Environmental
Monitor, who monitors general construction performance, and a Wildlife Specialist who oversaw
the creation of turtle nesting habitat and who will monitor the habitat area in accordance with
permit requirements.

The Town of Boxford acquired a 46 acre parcel of Conservation Land called the Nason
Conservation Land in 2014. In 2015 the Commission discussed options for improving access to
the Nason Conservation Land via Lake Shore Road. Based in part on these discussions,
BTA/BOLT, Inc. explored grant opportunities to fund a proposed boardwalk leading from the
Lake Shore Road entrance to interior portions of the Nason Conservation Land.

The Conservation Commission is directly responsible for the management of 852 acres of Town-
owned conservation land in Boxford, as well as an additional 70 acres of privately owned land
upon which the Town holds conservation restrictions. The Commission manages these open
spaces and conservation properties with significant volunteer assistance from BTA/BOLT, Inc.,
for which the Conservation Commission is tremendously grateful. In 2015 volunteers working
with BTA/BOLT, Inc. placed numerous trial signs at trailheads around town, as part of a project
funded by the Community Preservation Commission. The Commission also reviews proposed
Conservation Restrictions in Boxford held by other 501(c) 3 entities such as the Boxford Trails
Association/Boxford Open Land Trust (BTA/BOLT, Inc.), Essex County Greenbelt Association
(ECGA) and the Farm Bureau Land Preservation Foundation, Inc.

The management of selected conservation areas as agricultural land continued on parcels known
as Haynes Field, Peabody Field, Mill Brook Farm Field, Hovey’s Pond Meadow, Cargill Fields
and Witch Hollow Farm Field. Licenses were issued in 2009 to selected individuals for
agricultural use of these fields. All the licenses expired on December 31, 2015 and will be
considered for renewal in 2016.

The Conservation Commission continued to provide staff support to the Lakes, Ponds and
Streams Committee (see separate report from this committee elsewhere in this Annual Report).
In 2015 the Commission worked closely with the Lakes Ponds and Streams Committee in
reaching an interim agreement with stakeholders for the management of the Four Mile Pond
Dam.

The Commission approved Determinations of Negligible Impact allowing four separate Boy
Scout projects to proceed within Wetland Resource Buffer area. These consisted of a new trail at
the Cargill Field Conservation Land, an edible garden adjacent to Town Hall, improvements to
Stiles Pond Beach recreational area, and an improved wetland crossing at the Shaven Crown trail
on property owned by BTA/BOLT, Inc.

In addition, the Conservation Commission worked with and provided assistance to other Town
Boards and Committees, including the Planning Board, the Land Committee, and the Stormwater
Advisory Committee.

Conservation Commissioners and Staff

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