Conservation Commission

Brad Stone Engineer/ Conservation Agent

The primary function of the Conservation Commission is to preserve and protect the local wetland resource areas, as defined in the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Since colonial times, Massachusetts has lost nearly one third of its wetlands. The loss of wetlands means the loss of important benefits they provide. This includes the protection of water quality and water supplies, storm water and flood damage prevention, and the protection of wildlife and plant

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habitat. Our goal is to protect the community's natural resources for present and future generations.

The Conservation Commission is composed of appointed town officials who serve as unpaid volunteers. The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month for the conduct of regular business and for public hearings. When necessary, meetings may be scheduled on alternate dates. Contact the Conservation Commission office with questions regarding meeting schedules.

In addition to the minimum requirements for application submittals listed in the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) and WPA Form Instructions, the Shrewsbury Conservation Commission requires the following:

• Four copies of plans, two copies of application and any supporting calculations.
• Completed applications shall be submitted a minimum of two weeks prior to the meeting. New information for continued meetings and hearings shall be submitted a minimum of one week prior to the meeting.

Plan Requirements:

• Plans shall have a scale no smaller than 1" = 40'. In addition for projects covering large areas, one additional cover plan shall be submitted showing the entire project and wetland resource areas at a smaller scale if necessary.
• Construction sequence plan
• Erosion control plan
• Existing and proposed topography
• Survey benchmark location
• Footing drain locations for buildings
• Building elevations
• Driveways and roadways
• North arrow
• Property locus
• Property abutters
• Wetland flag locations and flag numbers
• 100-year flood zones, USGS topography datum for projects near flood zones
• Construction details and x-sections for retaining walls
• Wetland crossings and wetland fill area x-sections
• Buffer Zone construction x-sections where filling or cutting exceeds four feet in elevation
• Professional Engineer or Land Surveyor stamp, unless specifically accepted by the Commission

Proposals with buildings closer than 30 feet to wetlands are strongly discouraged. Plans showing buildings within 40 feet of wetlands shall provide additional information to the above requirements:

• Label building distance to wetlands
• Provide a wetlands barrier that will delineate and provide protection to the resource area. Examples include fences, fence and shrub combinations, granite markers, stone walls, etc.

Applicants with concerns regarding the above requirements are encouraged to contact staff in the Town Engineering Department.