REVISED WETLAND FILING FEES
The Conservation Commission recently increased their Wetland and Groundwater Protection Bylaw (Article IX) filing fees, effective February 14, 2011. The format of the revised filing fee schedule (downloadable above) is similar to the Wetlands Protection Act filing fee schedule to make it easier to use and understand.
The fees were increased in order to cover the reasonably anticipated costs of providing the services for which the fee is assessed (including the Conservation Commission's staff review and administrative time) that are not covered by the Wetland Protection Act’s filing fees.
PASSIVE RECREATION ON
FOXBOROUGH CONSERVATION PROPERTIES
With over seventy inches of snow, the 2010-2011 winter was a challenging one with regard to keeping roads, roofs and sidewalks clear and safe for Foxborough residents. However, there is a brighter side for the snow-dependent recreation enthusiasts.
For the first time in many years, snow shoeing and cross country skiing tracks are evident on our conservation lands. At the same time however, the use of snow-mobiles has also burgeoned, especially on the Lane Property, between North Street and the Neponset Reservoir where complaints have been logged. There are serious safety concerns for the on-foot recreationists when snowmobiles are being used and there is also concern for the snowmobile user with regard to hitting objects and gate structures buried in the snow.
The Foxborough Conservation Commission would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that our conservation lands are for “passive” recreation. The use of off- road motorized vehicles; snowmobiles in winter and ATV’s, dirt bikes, motorcycles at other times of the year, is prohibited on conservation land in Foxborough.
Please see the above link for a downloadable copy of the Commission's conservation land rules and regulations.
THE PERMIT EXTENSION ACT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Excerpts of the 2010 Permit Extension Act's FAQs (see link above), downloaded from the Mass.Gov website, provide answers about the Permit Extension Act as it affects permits issued by state agencies.
ASIAN LONGHORN BEETLE ALERT!
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) recently confirmed a small infestation of Asian Longhorn Beetles (ALB) at the Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain. This is the time of year when the adult beetles are emerging from the trees.
Dr. Jennifer Forman Orth, State Plant Pest Survey Coordinator at MDAR, asks everyone to be on the lookout for the following:
1. Adult Asian longhorned beetles (shiny black beetles with white spots and long, banded antennae)
2. ALB exit holes (dime-sized, perfectly round holes, especially in maple, but also in birch, elm, horsechestnut, willow and other hardwood trees…but not oak)
3. ALB egg-laying sites (divots in the bark ranging in size from 1/4 to 3/4 inches across – fresh pits often have oozing, foaming sap)
If you see anything suspicious you should report it immediately at http://massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or call toll-free: 1-866-702-9938. Take photos if you can. MDAR can also provide you with free ALB ID cards and fact sheets to share with your neighbors and associates.
For additional information, please refer to the downloadable guides, above.
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