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1. Does the Commission have a Bylaw?

The Conservation Commission is excited to announce that at the May 2023 Town Meeting, Article 29, a Wetlands Protection Bylaw, was approved for the Town. The State Attorney General approved the Bylaw on September 14, 2023. The Approved Bylaw can be found here. 

The Conservation Commission approved the Rules and Regulations associated with the bylaw on September 19, 2023, and can they be reviewed here.

2. How do I know if I need to file with the Commission?

The Commission has prepared a flyer with a lot of information on what can and cannot be done without approval from the Commission.  You may download a copy of the flyer here.  If you still have any questions, you can email the Commission staff at conservation@shrewsburyma.gov

3. How can I get a copy of an Order of Conditions or Certificate of Compliance for my property?

Property owners can research their properties via the Worcester Registry of Deeds at https://www.masslandrecords.com/Worcester/.  Orders of Conditions and Certificate of Compliance should be recorded with the property.

4. Are there any Town fees associated with filling with the Commission?

See the Conservation Rules and Regulation appendix for the additional fees.  The additional fees can be included in the Town's portion of the State Fees and need not be a separate check.

5. What are the requirements for filing with the Conservation Commission?

Anytime you want to do work in or near wetlands, flood plains, banks, riverfront areas, beaches, and surface water.

Instructions for completing applications are available on the State Website https://www.mass.gov/wetlands-waterways-permitting-reporting. You can also get some guidance from the Engineering Division. However, many applicants find it to be easier and faster to hire an engineer or wetland specialist who are familiar with the process, which can seem overwhelming to people unfamiliar with the regulations.

DEP website.

6. How often does the Conservation Commission meet and when do I have to file an application to get onto the agenda?

The Conservation Commission meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month, and applications requiring public hearings must be filed a minimum of 2 weeks before the meeting to allow sufficient time for the necessary legal advertisements and review by staff.  The Commission also holds additional meetings to work on special projects and to act on filings during periods of heavy activity.

Please see the Conservation Commission Website for filing deadlines: 2023 Meeting Schedule.

7. How many copies of the Application should I submit?

The Commission will need 3 hard copies of all documents and also an electronic copy can be submitted to the Conservation Agent.

8. What is the 100-year flood elevation for Lake Quinsigamond?

Per the WPA, 10.57(2)(a)(3), "Where NFIP Profile data is unavailable, the boundary of Bordering Land Subject to Flooding shall be the maximum lateral extent of flood water which has been observed or recorded. " 

The highest observed water elevation on the lake is 358.6 NVGD and should be used for any work abutting the lake.

9. What is the Town Paper of Record for Legal Ads?

As of June 2022, the Town will use the Community Advocate for advertising Public Hearings

10. I have beavers flooding my property, what are my options?

The trapping of beavers and removal of beaver dams is regulated under MGL.  For more information, use the links below:

https://shrewsburyma.gov/242/Beaver-or-Muskrat-Removal

11. What does a Conservation Commission do?

The Conservation Commission administers the Wetlands Protection Act (G.L. Chapter 131 Section 40) and serves the town in a regulatory, as well as a conservation capacity. The commission processes applications for permits filed with them for activity covered by the act.