Conservation Commission

Commission Mission

Under the Wetlands Protection Act (Massachusetts General Law 131, Section 40), the Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over all of the wetlands in Sterling (including streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds marshes and swamps) and all land within the 100 foot buffer zone adjacent to the waterways and wetlands. Under this law, the Conservation Commission is charged with protecting these natural resources to prevent pollution, protect drinking water, to improve flood control, to protect wildlife and to protect fisheries.  

The Conservation Commission is made up of 7 members who are appointed by the Select Board. All meetings of the Conservation Commission are open to the public.

Some common proceedings before the Conservation Commission are:

Request for Determination

This request leads to a determination of whether the Commission has jurisdiction and, if so, will the resource be affected. As a result of this action, the Commission may find any of the following:

  1. The Commission has jurisdiction and will require a Notice of Intent (see below.)
  2. The Commission will not require a Notice of Intent, but will impose Conditions.
  3. The Commission does not have jurisdiction.

Notice of Intent

This document requires a Public Hearing, with notification of all of the abutters to the property. It usually requires the preparation of plans by a Registered Professional Engineer. Once the Public Hearing is complete, the Commission will either:

  1. Issue an Order of conditions for the proposed work, or
  2. Deny the project for inability to adequately protect the resource

Commission decisions may be appealed to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection by the applicant, abutters or a group of citizens of the town.

An Order of Conditions is valid for a period of 3 years, and may be extended for up to 3 years.

Certificate of Compliance

A Certificate of Compliance is a legal document indicating that an Order of Conditions has been satisfied or that no work has occurred. This Certificate may be required for a property to be transferred to a new owner.

Board Members

Name Title
Barbara Roberti Chair
Steven Pavlowich Member
Susan Valentine Member and Open Space Cmte Liaison
Scott Michalak Member
Mike Pineo Vice-Chair
Christopher P. O'Neill Member
Matthew Marro Interim Contact for the Conservation Commission