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There is nothing that makes this town as crazy, if I may say so, as a proposed new By-Law. Nothing. Not even school budgets though those come in a close second. So before we come into Yard Sign Season (and please no Dr. Seuss copyright issues this year), here’s a suggestion: listen to the information presented and then make up your own mind. And then your own signs–I’m warning you now that mine will include spotted salamanders and wood frogs so consider your imagery. Also bear in mind that more than 200 towns in Massachusetts have local wetlands by-laws, some of them for almost 20 years (Lincoln). And many of them do not have as many wetlands as we do.

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Okay, there’s my not-too-subtle commentary on why the Weston Conservation Commission has spent the last couple of years (and maybe more, what do I know?) on crafting a Weston Wetlands protection by-law. You can read more about general wetlands by-law in Massachusetts here. Attend the information sessions, learn why wetlands protection is also about human protection, and then perhaps take a walk in your neighborhood and look around to note all of the wetlands. If you have never seen a vernal pool, send me a note and I will take you on a walk in about a week to two weeks to listen to wood frogs, and after them the peepers. Big Night cometh so put batteries in your flashlights.

And now to the town-produced information, also found here.

Why Do We Need a Weston Wetlands Protection By-Law:

–  To strengthen existing state law. The state Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) omits protection for two important wetlands resources: isolated wetlands and vernal pools. Let’s protect ALL wetland resources in Weston.

–   To codify existing local policy:   The Conservation Commission has established a 25-foot No Disturb Zone as policy since 1998. Let’s codify that important resource protection area as law.

   – Establish local control over enforcement of wetlands protection laws: Let’s join more than 200 communities in Massachusetts that have already enacted wetlands protection bylaws and provide fair and sensible oversight over wetlands protection in Weston.

Learn more at these upcoming Conservation Commission presentations

March 14, 6:50 pm: Presentation to Select Board*

March 28, 7:30 pm: Conservation Commission Public Meeting*

April 13, 7:00 pm: Public In-Person Presentation- Weston Town Hall

*Agenda with meeting Zoom link can be found at  https://www.weston.org/AgendaCenter/

The WPA and proposed bylaw protects 7 public interests vital to Weston

Public and private water supply protection

Flood control

Groundwater supply protection

Pollution prevention

 Storm damage prevention 

Fisheries protection 

Wildlife protection

The Weston Conservation Commission is a 7-member volunteer board appointed by the Select Board to administer the state Wetlands Protection Act  and manage approximately 1,800 acres  of  municipal conservation land.

 You can learn more here.