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Conservation Commission
Members: Chair Mel Dickenson, Sean Mahoney, Christopher Kitteridge, Frank Ruch, Jerry Goodall
Significant accomplishments, completed tasks, unfinished projects/tasks
Stormwater (Town Council Annual Workplan)
- Worked with Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWCD) and Falmouth High School students on a yardscaping outreach initiative. The yardscaping outreach initiative helped Falmouth satisfy the town’s requirements of the USEPA permit for stormwater discharge.
- Worked with CCSWCD to distribute posters in public areas around town supporting stormwater issues. The public education provided by the posters helped Falmouth satisfy the town’s requirements of the USEPA permit for stormwater discharge.
- Developed Yardscaping fact sheet and installed on Town website to for town-wide use.
Invasive Species
- Invasive species subgroup is working on several projects including a website and a handbook to bring awareness and information to Falmouth’s residents regarding controlling invasive species.
Natural Resource Ordinance Review (Town Council Annual Workplan)
- Worked with LPAC in the review of Falmouth’s ordinances as they pertain to natural resources.
Vernal Pools
- Continued monitoring efforts, public education, and work with landowners and developers to identify and conserve vernal pools.
- Worked with RTG developers for continued vernal pool monitoring on RTG property.
Open Space – See Open Space Annual Report (Town Council Annual Workplan)
Summary of ongoing duties, tasks, charge, etc.
The Conservation Commission shall conduct research and give advice 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 bodies;
- May advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps charts, plans and pamphlets;
- Shall prepare and keep and index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned with the town;
- May recommend to the Town Council or any municipal board …a program for the better utilization, protection, development or use of such areas.
- Shall keep records of its meetings and make an annual report to the Town;
- May employ personnel as may be approved by the Town Manager.
- May recommend acquisition of, via the Open Space Committee,~land or interest therein in the name of the Town;
- Shall submit any recommendations to the Town (regarding land) 30 days in advance;
- Cannot usurp the duties of the Parks & Community Programs department or the Town Tree Warden.
Goals or a work plan for the ensuing year
- Ongoing activities on Open Space, Stormwater, and Invasive Species projects.
- Review of Development Proposals as part of Planning Board process: FCC to start providing input on development projects that impact natural resources.
- Historical Review of Development in Falmouth: Develop a study/report of Falmouth’s history of development over the last 15 to 20 years in conjunction with Comprehensive plan update.
Budget request.
Will need staff and/or budget support for the Historical review of Development in Falmouth project.
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