Weston Conservation Commission sets May target for first town wetlands bylaw

WESTON — February 1, 2022 — Weston Conservation Commission opens drafting of first town wetlands bylaw, targets May town meeting. Chair Joe Berman directed Conservation Administrator Jordan to retain town counsel Copelman and Paige and a public-outreach consultant to support a draft based on the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions model, which would codify the 25-foot no-disturb zone, extend jurisdiction to isolated vegetated wetlands and vernal pools, and authorize local filing fees. Member Josh Feinblum said the bylaw would "give ourselves the teeth to apply what we're already doing," while member Alison Fronk Barlow, citing her Wellesley experience, warned the March 3 warrant deadline left too little time to make the case to voters. The commission also voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of compliance for 95 Rockport Road noting work was never started, continued the 217 Summer Street hearing to Feb. 15 at 8:30 p.m. at the applicant's request, and approved a trail relocation at Highland Forest Junction C under its standing order of conditions with the Weston Forest and Trail Association. A Rotary Club volunteer reported the DPW hauled out 15 one-ton dump truck loads of invasives from the Sears driveway field in 2021.