Rules, Regulations & Policies

Application Checklist Policy

At the February 20, 2020, Conservation Commission meeting, the Conservation Commission accepted a policy to require a checklist filled out by the applicants for a Notice of Intent or Request for Determination of Applicability permit. The Checklist requires information that the applicant must provide in order for the Commission to evaluate the project appropriately in regard to the Wetland Protection Act Performance standards. ( Please see MGL c. 131 excerpts below) the information on the checklist is vital to have a permit review in a timely manner. The Checklist must be completed and turned in with each application, if the information is missing the hearing may be continued or the application considered incomplete. View Conservation Commission Permit Checklist and Proceedings (PDF). On the back side of this checklist, it also lists the expected process for a Notice of Intent, as well as a Request for Determination of Applicability.

Per M.G.L. c. 131, § 40 10.03 (1) Burden of Proof. (a) Any person who files a Notice of Intent to perform any work within an Area Subject to Protection under M.G.L. c. 131, § 40 or within the Buffer Zone has the burden of demonstrating to the issuing authority: 1. that the area is not significant to the protection of any of the interests identified in M.G.L. c. 131, § 40; or 2. that the proposed work within a resource area will contribute to the protection of the interests identified in M.G.L. c. 131, § 40 by complying with the general performance standards established by 310 CMR 10 for that area.

Record Request Policy

At the February 20, 2020, Conservation Commission meeting, the Conservation Commission accepted a Policy for record requests and file reviews. The policy from here on out is that any record request must be made in writing an email is acceptable. The Commission also has a record request form that lists the information needed. Please either submit this form for a record request (PDF) or email the information on the form to the Record Administrator, Angela Chebuske. All record requests will be handled in a timely manner but please be aware that the City has a 10-day period to respond to a record request and plan accordingly. Please see the Freedom of Information Act or the Conservation Department for more information.

Meeting & Hearing

Regular meetings of the Leominster Conservation Commission shall be held in the municipal building on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month at 7 pm, except as otherwise provided by ordinance. The Leominster Conservation Commission shall conduct its public hearings on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of the month or on any evening which is convenient for the public and the Conservation Commission.

Except as may be otherwise authorized by law, all sessions of the Leominster Conservation Commission, and of any committee thereof, shall be open to the public and to the media. A full accurate, written, up-to-date record of the proceedings of the Leominster Conservation Commission shall be kept and shall be available for examination by the public. The Chairperson of the Leominster Conservation Commission shall preside at all meetings of the Leominster Conservation Commission, regulate its proceedings and decide all questions of order. He/she shall have such other powers and duties as may be provided by charter, by ordinance, or by other votes as any other Leominster Conservation Commission. In the event of the absence or disability of the Conservation Commission Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall act as Conservation Commission Chairperson.

The Chairperson shall preside fairly and shall be the arbitrators of all points of debate or challenge. He/she shall decide all matters of parliamentary procedure and rule accordingly. He/she shall vote on all matters before the Conservation Commission. He/she shall not enter into debate on any matter. He/she shall offer an explanation or clarification on motions before the Conservation Commission. If the Chairperson wishes to debate or speak before the Conservation Commission, he/she must relinquish his/her chair to the Vice-Chairperson; if Vice Chairperson is absent, then to a member of his or her choosing. Upon conclusion, the Chairperson shall resume his chair. Provided they conform with the provisions of the Open Meeting Law, meetings of the Conservation Commission are held at the pleasure of its members.