Conservation Commission ratifies COVID-19 leash order, asserts jurisdiction over future emergency rules

WESTON — April 14, 2020 — Weston Conservation Commission ratifies emergency leash order but asserts statutory control over conservation land. The commission voted 7-0 Tuesday to accept a Weston Emergency Management Team order requiring leashed dogs on all conservation land and closing Cat Rock Park to non-residents during the COVID-19 emergency, but reserved its exclusive jurisdiction under MGL Chapter 40, Section 8C and required future emergency orders to first be communicated to the conservation administrator and chair. Chair Joe Berman said he was "surprised and outraged" the order issued without consultation after an ad hoc March 30 working group had agreed to a signage-based approach. Conservation Administrator Michelle Grybko told members she had been designated non-essential by the team despite working full time, unlike conservation agents in peer towns. Member Allison Barlow disagreed with the chair's framing — "I think people are horrible. They don't listen to the rules," she said — but voted with the unanimous motion. The commission also approved certificates of compliance at 10 Hitching Post Road and 14 Polly Walk Lane, an order of conditions for a 24-by-26-foot garage at 39 Pine Street, and a 1,500-square-foot sport court plus two-year extension at 12 Westerly Road.