ConsCom has open seats
By Cheryl Lecesse/ Staff Writer
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Chairman, Lincoln Conservation commission
Applications are being accepted to fill vacancies on the Conservation Commission.
Commission Chairman Mary Lincoln went before the Board of Selectmen Monday night to encourage residents to apply for an open seat on the commission.
There are two vacancies on the commission, one of which will be filled by a commissioner whose appointment was up in March, but would like to be reappointed. But Lincoln announced she would be moving out of town within the next six months, and would like an associate member to be appointed to learn the ins and outs of the board and to take Lincoln's seat when se resigns.
Lincoln said commissioners play two different roles; they enforce the state Wetlands Protection Act and the town Wetlands Protection Bylaw, and they manage and act as stewards of all town-owned conservation land.
"We've had quite a variety of people coming from a variety of different places," Lincoln said of board's makeup through her tenure.
Preferred applicants would have some legal experience or knowledge of environmental law, she said. At this point, Lincoln said she is the only commissioner with legal background.
"We'd also love to have an engineer, even a real estate developer," she said, because someone with this experience would be able to bring a beneficial perspective to the commission.
Selectman Sara Mattes said residents with engineering or real estate experience should only apply if they do not do business in Lincoln, to avoid conflict of interest.
"Having your legal background has been invaluable from my observation as liaison to the Conservation Commission," Mattes said.
Current commissioners' backgrounds include a computer scientist who is knowledgeable about wildlife; a mycologist, an expert in fungus; and Jacks of all trades, one of which grew up in town and the other of whom knows the town's trail system extremely well. Lincoln said the commission staff is also very knowledgeable and helpful.
"There's tremendous, tremendous support from the staff," she said.
Lincoln said a commissioner's expected time commitment can reach 10 hours a week, and duties include preparing for meetings, reading materials from applicants and going on site visits.
"There always are issues that come up with how we're stewarding the land," she added.
The commission is also responsible for licensing parcels of conservation land to local farmers, a process that occurs once every three years. The commission also sets regulations for agricultural use. And there are several committees, such as the Natural Resources Committee, that ask for a representative of the commission to be an active part of discussions.
"That's another element of the time commitment," Lincoln said.
Mattes said many feel the Planning Board is the main entity that shapes the town's landscape, but really several boards and commissions work together to shape the town.
Lincoln said her fellow commissioners form a great team to work with.
"They're smart, they're principled, they're funny," she said. "They're people I wouldn't have gotten to know otherwise."
Mattes encouraged residents who plan to apply to attend a commission meeting. Lincoln also urged residents who had applied in the past but were not appointed to try again.
"There are good people who have not gotten appointed," she said.
Selectmen Chairman Sarah Cannon Holden said serving on a town board is a "tremendous learning experience," as she encouraged residents to apply for a vacant seat.
"It's just a great opportunity to participate in democracy in a small town," she said. "That doesn't happen everywhere."
Residents interested in applying for a seat on the Conservation Commission should contact Mary Lincoln. | | |
