Conservation Commission

Maine State Statues Conservation Commission Responsibilities, Section 3261. Unless otherwise provided under their home rule authority, municipalities may establish conservation commissions as provided in this section.

Appointment of Commissioners: The municipal officers may appoint at least 3 but not more than 7 conservation commissioners. Members shall be appointed to one year terms.   Voting members shall elect their Chair and Secretary. The Commission shall have duties and responsibilities as outlined by law.

Maine State Statues Conservation Commission Responsibilities, Section 3261. Unless otherwise provided under their home rule authority, municipalities may establish conservation commissions as provided in this section.

1.     Appointment of Commissioners: The municipal officers may appoint at least 3 but not more than 7 conservation commissioners. Members shall initially be appointed for terms of 1, 2 and 3 years such that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members will expire each year. Their successors shall be appointment for terms of 3 years each. Members shall serve until the appointment of their successors. The Commissioner may recommend to the municipal officers that associate members be appointment to assist the commission as the commission requires. Associate members are nonvoting members. Their term of office shall be for 1, 2 or 3 years.
2.     Duties of Commission. The Commission Shall:
3.     Keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the municipality.
4.     Conduct research in conjunction with the Planning Board, if any, into the local land areas.
5.      Seek to coordinate the activities of conservation bodies organized for similar purposes, and
6.     Keep an index of all open areas within the municipality, whether publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the proper protection, development or use of those open areas. The Commission may recommend to the municipal officers or any municipal body or board, or any body politic or public agency of the State, a program for the better protection development or use of those areas, which may include the acquisition of conservation easements;
7.     Any body politic of public agency of the State conducting planning operations with respect to open areas within a municipality having a conservation commission shall notify that conservation commission of all plans and planning operations at least 30 days before implementing any action under that plan.
8.     Powers of Commission. The Commission may:
9.     Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps. Charts, plans and pamphlets which it considers necessary.
10.     Have the care and superintendence of the public parks and, subject to the approval of the municipal officers, direct the expenditure of all money appropriated for the improvement of those parks,
11.      Acquire land in the municipality’s name for any of the purposes set forth in this section with the approval of the municipal legislative body, and
12.     Receive gifts in the municipality’s name for any of the commission’s purposes and shall administer the gift for those purposed subject to the terms of the gift.

When there is a permanent vacancy, the Select Board shall, as soon as possible, appoint a person to serve for the unexpired term. The Select Board will advise the Chair of the potential candidate before appointing this new member. The Chairperson shall call meetings of the committee which will meet monthly or as needed. A quorum of the Committee is necessary to conduct an official meeting and shall consist of 2/3 of the membership. Agendas & minutes of each meeting shall be submitted to the Town Clerk.