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Conservation Commission
Overview
The Grafton Conservation Commission is the official agency charged with the protection of Grafton's natural resources. The Commission is comprised of five appointed, volunteer members. Chief among the Commission's responsibilities is the administration of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131 Sec. 40), the Grafton Wetlands Protection Bylaw, and the Grafton Stormwater Management Bylaw. Additionally, the Commission manages over 1,000 acres of town-owned conservation land.
See our 2023 Submission Schedule (PDF) to find the deadline to file your request with the Conservation Commission.
The Commission has representatives on the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), the Lake Quinsigamond Commission, and the Open Space and Recreation Committee.
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes
Meetings
- Held at 7 pm
- Typically meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month
- Meetings are currently being held over Zoom only
Zoom Meeting Information
- Join the 6/6 Zoom Meeting Online - Join meeting here
Passcode: 891460 - Or Telephone : 1-312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 823 3526 5406
Passcode: 891460
Next Scheduled Meetings
June 6, 2023 | July 11, 2023 |
August 8, 2023 | September 5, 2023 |
September 19, 2023 | October 3, 2023 |
October 24, 2023 | November 14, 2023 |
November 28, 2023 | December 12, 2023 |
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Lake Quinsig. Notification of Refilling
The Lake Quinsigamond Commission will raise the water level, or refill, Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond located in Grafton, Shrewsbury and Worcester on or about March 2, 2023. Read on...
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Leah Cameron
Conservation AgentPhone: 508-839-5335, ext. 1410
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Jan Taylor
Conservation AssistantPhone: 508-839-5335, ext. 1410
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Conservation Commission
Physical Address
30 Providence Road
Grafton, MA 01519
Phone: 508-839-5335, ext. 1410
Hours of Operation
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
8:30 am to 4:30 pm - Tuesdays
8:30 am to 7 pm - Fridays
8:30 am to 1 pm
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
- When is the deadline to submit materials?
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Please see our 2022 Submission Schedule (PDF) to see the deadlines to file all requests, when the item will go in front of the Conservation Commission, and the legal ad publication date.
- When do I need to file with the Conservation Commission?
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There are several types of applications that are filed with the Conservation Commission. Any application should be filed well before starting any work because the permitting process takes time.
Any proposed work within a wetland (swamp, marsh, bank, water body, land subject to flooding, river, stream, brook, etc.), within 100 feet of a wetland, or within 200 feet of a river or perennial stream needs to be filed through a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Application for Grafton Wetlands Protection Bylaw Permit.
If you are unsure if the property or the proposed work are subject to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act or Grafton Wetlands Protection Bylaw, you may file a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA). An RDA may also be filed when work is proposed within 100 feet of a wetland but you are unsure whether the work will affect the wetland. Additionally, an RDA may be filed to verify the location of wetlands before proceeding with further planning or work.
Any land-disturbing activity (whether new, development, or redevelopment) which disturbs greater than either 40,000 square feet or 1,000 cubic yards needs to be filed through an Application for Grafton Stormwater Management Bylaw Permit.
Any project that requires both the NOI/Application for Grafton Wetlands Protection Bylaw Permit as well as the Application for Grafton Stormwater Management Bylaw Permit may file the combined application.
- What do these signs mean?
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These signs indicate the presence of a resource area protected under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Grafton Wetlands Protection Bylaw. Under the Bylaw, the Conservation Commission prohibits alteration and disturbance within twenty-five feet of resource areas. This area is called the no-disturb zone. As a condition of a Wetlands Permit, the Commission may require signage to ensure notification, recognition of, and respect for, resource area boundaries. These signs shall not be removed or relocated without written authorization from the Grafton Conservation Commission.