Select Board Can Now Appoint Alternate Conservation Commissioners

Excerpted from "Gov. Baker signs bill giving Select Board appointment power to ConCom", The Weekly News, January 12, 2023

Filed by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones., Jr. and State Senator Brendan Crighton, following a 214-15 vote taken at Lynnfield’s November 14 Town Meeting, House Bill 5400 was signed into law by Governor Baker on January 4, 2023.

“I would like thank Representative Jones and Senator Crighton for acting on this so quickly and seeing that it got approved”, said Select Board Chair Phil Crawford.

The Conservation Commission currently has seven sitting members who serve for staggered 3-year terms, but on several occasions, the Commission has found it difficult to obtain a quorum. In one particular instance, the Commission lost jurisdiction on a significant case and was unable to act on the petition before a mandatory deadline had elapsed due to the lack of a quorum. Under Chapter 374, the Select Board can appoint not more than two alternate members to the Commission for staggered terms for up to three years. An alternate member can then be designated by the chair to sit in place of a regular member who is absent, unable to act on a pending matter, or facing a potential conflict of interest. An alternate member can also be designated by the chair to serve on the Commission until a vacancy is filled.

“This legislation represents a practical solution and will make it easier for members to conduct their business in a timely fashion”, said Jones, “Senator Crighton and I were happy to advocate for this change on behalf of the Town, and we appreciate Gov. Baker’s decision to sign the bill.” “The Lynnfield Conservation Commission plays such a crucial role in protecting the Town’s natural resources,” said Crighton. “This bill will allow the Commission to do this important work more efficiently and without unnecessary hurdles.”