Conservation-Agricultural Commission

Overview

The Conservation-Agricultural Commission consists of seven (7) members serving without pay to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3261. The term of office is three (3) years. One of the seven (7) member positions is reserved for the Tree Warden appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Commission shall elect among themselves a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary.

Duties

The Commission shall conduct research and make recommendations as to the protection, development and use of the natural resources located within the territorial limits of the town. It shall coordinate its activities with existing municipal agencies, commissions, departments, and conservation/agricultural bodies organized for similar purposes (i.e. Great Works Regional Land Trust) and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which it deems necessary with the approval of the Board of Selectmen.

The Commission shall review all town policy and ordinances with the purpose of making recommendations to the Board of Selectmen to promote agriculture in North Berwick as a way to provide jobs and food for the people of North Berwick.  This review should be done in reference to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The Committee shall coordinate its activities with existing municipal agencies, commissions, departments, and conservation/agricultural bodies organized for similar purposes to develop specific proposals and ordinance changes to be presented to the Board of Selectmen.

The Commission shall make recommendations to carry out the conservation and agricultural implementation strategies outlined in the approved Comprehensive Plan.  All recommendations shall be coordinated with municipal agencies, commissions, departments, and conservation/agricultural bodies organized for similar purposes.  Final recommendations shall be submitted to the Board of Selectmen for their review.

The Commission shall also:

• Maintains an Inventory of Town Owned Lands
• Recommend which Town owned lands shall be  reserved as Conservation or Agricultural Lands
• Management of lands classisfied as Conservation or Agricultural Lands, and
• Identify Conservation or Agricultural Lands for town acquisition.

Meetings

The Commission meet at 6:30 pm on the Fourth Tuesday of every month in Room 212 of the Town Hall located at 21 Main Street.