About the Commission
The Newtown Conservation Commission is made up of 7 members appointed by the Board of Selectmen to serve staggered 4 year terms.
We meet every second and Fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Newtown Municipal Center at 3 Primrose Street.
Meeting Agendas and Minutes are posted at www.newtown-ct.gov/conservation-commission.
We meet every second and Fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Newtown Municipal Center at 3 Primrose Street.
Meeting Agendas and Minutes are posted at www.newtown-ct.gov/conservation-commission.
Our Mission
The Conservation Commission’s mission under Conn. Gen. Stat. §7-131 and the Newtown Code, Ordinance 65, is to conserve and maintain the natural resources of Newtown, including open space, water resources, farmland, forests, meadows, scenic vistas, and historic features.
Conserving the Land
The foremost responsibility of the Commission is the acquisition and preservation of open space. The goal is to preserve and protect 21% of Newtown’s land through a combination of state parks and forests, private land trust and Town-owned open space. Towards that goal, the Commission works with Land Use officials to identify and acquire properties to add to this inventory of protected land. To date, the Commission has assisted the town in acquiring almost 2000 acres of open space. In general, new open space acquisitions will meet some or all of the following objectives:
- Monitoring new development
- Securing public water access
- Linking existing open space owned by the Town, Newtown Forest Association and the State
- Preserving agricultural and historic sites
- Promoting the conservation of soils, wetlands, water supplies and other natural resources
- Preserving the Town’s scenic views.
Protecting the Land
In most cases, the Commission is responsible for determining how open space will be used and for managing it so that it can be enjoyed by residents and protected from encroachment, vandalism and invasive plants. The Commission also has the duty of maintaining an inventory of open space and providing maps and brochures to the public. In addition, the Commission works to educate the public about issues that impact natural resources, from identifying and removing invasive plants to recycling and wildlife management.
Since the Commission receives limited funds and has no line item in the Town budget, the Commission has a responsibility to seek appropriate funds through grants and other sources in order to fulfill its mandated duty to protect and manage open space. Management of open space entails removing invasive plants, maintaining appropriate habitat for wildlife, and providing access to the public by developing trails and building bridges and parking areas so that residents will be able to enjoy the land that has been preserved for them and for future generations.
Since the Commission receives limited funds and has no line item in the Town budget, the Commission has a responsibility to seek appropriate funds through grants and other sources in order to fulfill its mandated duty to protect and manage open space. Management of open space entails removing invasive plants, maintaining appropriate habitat for wildlife, and providing access to the public by developing trails and building bridges and parking areas so that residents will be able to enjoy the land that has been preserved for them and for future generations.
About the CommissionThe Newtown Conservation Commission is dedicated to the acquisition, preservation and protection of 2,000 acres of town-owned open space. In addition, the Commission is actively working to encourage healthy habitats and increase the diversity of our native wildlife and vegetation.
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Stay ConnectedNewtown Municipal Center
3 Primrose Street Newtown, CT 06470 (203) 270-4276 |