Welcome,
We are always looking for interested citizens and would love any input and participation from the community. Our environment is very important to us and we look forward to serving the residents in anyway possible. Please contact us through e-mail or join us at one of our meetings.
For information on stormwater management, please visit the following website:
The Newton Conservation Commission’s mission is to protect and promote the natural resources of Newton along with promoting e an awareness of the conservation practices and policies throughout the town while protecting the watershed resources. The authority for municipalities to establish Conservation Commissions is specified in New Hampshire State statute RSA 36A. As outlined in this statute, Conservation Commissions are to:
The Commission shall prepare, adopt and, from time to time, review and amend a conservation and open space plan and shall submit said plan to the Planning Board for consideration as part of the Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Newton .
· The Commission shall inform itself of the ways and means by which its plans and programs may be achieved and shall advise Town Selectmen and municipal boards and the public of the manner in which these objectives may be accomplished. It may accordingly advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its work as defined herein.
· The Commission may receive gifts of money and property in the name of the Town, subject to approval of the Selectmen. It may also, subject to approval of the Selectmen, acquire such land or water rights, development rights, or easements as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect or limit the future use of or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas within the town. Such lands are to be managed and controlled by the Commission for conservation purposes.
· The Commission may establish a Conservation Fund for purposes consistent with its natural resource protection goals.
Shall keep accurate records of its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report which shall be printed in the annual municipal report.
· Conduct researches into its local land and water areas;
The Commission consists of six members, three alternates and a representative from the selectmen. All members are residents of Newton and appointed by the Selectmen. The Commission’s alternate members act whenever a regular member of the Commission is absent from a meeting or whenever a regular member disqualifies himself. All members are volunteers and are not paid for their efforts.
In addition to members and alternates, the Commission has the authority, by state statute, to appoint sub-committees as it may from time to time require. There are many opportunities available in our on-going activities for individuals to contribute to the Conservation Commission’s goals and we welcome your suggestions..
CURRENT GOALS:
1. To establish land management plans for town owned land
2. Increase land acquisition for the protection of open space and natural resources
3. Inventory primary wetlands
4. Create buffer zones for protection of wetlands and
5. Increase community education and outreach programs.
Respectfully,
Trisha McCarthy, Chairman
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