Proposed Revsion to Bylaw for Wetlands Protection to Be in Front of Town Meeting

The Conservation Commission is seeking changes to the Burlington General Bylaws (Article XIV, Environment, Section 1.0, Wetlands) at next Monday's Town Meeting.

Conversation Administrator John Keeley explained to the board of selectmen that the purpose of the bylaw change was to bring the rules concerning wetlands into modern times. He said the current bylaw was written 15 years ago. He also said the language in the current bylaw needs some clarification.

In general, according to the warrant, the "purpose of this Bylaw is to protect the wetlands, water resources, flood prone areas, and adjoining upland areas in the Town of Burlington by controlling activities deemed by the Conservation Commission likely to have a significant effect on resource area interests deemed important to the community (collectively, the 'resource area interests protected by this Bylaw')." These include but are not limited to the following:

• public or private water supply
• groundwater supply
• flood control
• erosion and sedimentation control
• storm damage prevention including water quality
• prevention and control of pollution
• fisheries
• wildlife habitat
• rare species habitat including rare plant and animal species
• recreational and educational values

The proposed changes to the bylaw were drafted, Keeley said, by studying the bylaws of surrounding communities, by looking at the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions models and conducting an outreach campaign soliciting public input. They also held meetings with stakeholders and town boards.

The changes include updating the riverfront protection areas. The bylaw will protect 200 feet around riverfronts and the conservation department will put out a map of all the town's rivers and streams.

"People will be able to go online and tell whether they are in a riverfront area," Keeley said.

The changes also include a lessening of abutter notifications. This means residents will not need to alert neighbors when they are doing small projects, such as installing a pool.

The bylaw also gives the conservation commission the authority to set setbacks for projects near wetlands. Keeley said the bylaw will not establish standard setbacks but will give the commission the ability to set them for projects.

The Board of Selectmen voted 4-0-0 to recommend Town Meeting vote in favor of the the warrant article. Selectman Daniel Grattan was not in the room when the vote was taken.

Town Meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13. Click here for the complete warrant. This bylaw change is article 23.