Page 105 - Middleborough 2024 Town Report

CONSERVATION
Commission Annual Report 2024
CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
MEMBERS
Nancy Ockers, Chair
Diane Stewart, Co-Vice Chair
Keri Gallagher, Co-Vice Chair
Cameron Curney
Bart Devine
Adam Guaraldi
John Neely
The Commission has the responsibility of protecting
Middleborough’s wetland resource areas and ensuring
that they perform the eight stated functions of a
wetland: water supply protection, groundwater
protection, prevention of pollution, lood control, storm
damage prevention, protection of wildlife, protection of
fisheries and protection of the riverfront area. Dredging,
altering and filling are regulated by this law. “Wetlands”
are not just cattail marshes. They include intermittent
streams, riverfronts and other areas that may be dry for
extended periods during the year.
Agent and/or Commissioner’s went on one hundred
ninety-three site visits. One hundred twelve building permits
were reviewed and signed of on. The Commission will
continue to educate the public on the Wetlands Protection
Act and what their role is. There are pamphlets available
in the Conservation ofice as well as information on
their website.
In addition to responsibilities of enforcing the “Act” the
Commission also has the responsibility for land under care,
custody and control of the Commission, including 908 acres of
conservation land and 1,252 acres of land under conservation
restrictions. The Conservation Department and Commission
are working diligently to protect the environment and
preserve the land for the community to enjoy.
The Conservation Commission continued to perform its
duties as mandated by the Wetlands Protection Act MGL
Chapter 131, s40. They had twenty-one hybrid (Zoom
and in-person) meetings. One hundred seventy-three
public hearings were conducted resulting in
eighty-seven permits and/or findings issued for
construction, review of wetland boundaries and
determinations on activities within the Bufer Zone of
Bordering Vegetated Wetlands and the Riverfront Area.
There were six Amended Order of Conditions and five
Extension permits issued. There were twenty Certificate
of Compliances issued and two Emergency Certificate
issued. There were numerous violations reported and
investigated, with one Enforcement Order issued and
thirty discussions were held. They have either been
resolved or are in the process of being resolved. The
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