Scroll down for information about conservation commissions in general and for Pittsfield Conservation Commission specifically, including contact information.
Massachusetts Conservation Commissions were formed under the Conservation Commission Act of 1957, which gives the Commission responsibility for open space and for the protection of other natural resources in their community. The Conservation Commission is responsible for administering the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and any local wetlands bylaws the community may enact.
Conservation commissions usually have between three and seven volunteer members. The town meeting or town or city council sets the number. Terms are three years in length. Some commissions have a paid conservation agent who provides technical support.
Please visit our Wetlands Protection Act tutorial if you would like more information about how Conservation Commissions function and about processes related to the Wetlands Protection Act.
For notices of what issues your local Conservation Commission may be hearing at its next meeting, see BEAT’s Public Notices page, or contact your local Conservation Commission.
For contact information for your local Conservation Commission, find your city or town’s official website here.
The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) has lots of useful information for Conservation Commissions. MACC has an invasive plant website designed especially for Conservation Commissioners. It provides guidance on permit and project review, restoration, conservation lands management, and provides sample documents from actual projects.
Pittsfield Conservation Commission
In 2003, BEAT began videotaping and televising the meetings of the Pittsfield Conservation Commission, which meets every third Thursday in Pittsfield City Hall. These meetings are now taped and usually shown live by Pittsfield Community Television. You can purchase a DVD of the show or watch the meeting online at PCTV’s website.
The agenda, which contains more than just the public notices, is available online or at the Pittsfield Conservation Commission office, usually the Friday before the meeting. If you would like to receive the agenda automatically by email, please contact the Conservation Clerk. As of June 2010, the minutes of meetings are available online as well. The Conservation Office is located on the second floor of City Hall, 70 Allen Street (on the corner with Fenn St.). The phone number is (413) 499-9359. The Pittsfield Conservation Commission meetings are televised, usually live, on Pittsfield Community Television City Link (Channel 18 in Pittsfield, MA). Check the City Link program schedule. You can also purchase a videotape or DVD of recent meetings from PCTV or watch the meeting online.
The Conservation Secretary, Theodore Kozlowski
The Conservation Agent, Robert Van Der Kar