Conservation Commission

Request for Certificate of Compliance

The Request for Certificate of Compliance form for Conservation Commission permits has been updated as of June 17, 2025, to include required information such as bylaw file #, Applicant phone/email fields, and similar revisions. Please use the Combo-Form WPA Form 8A for your certificate of compliance requests. Please do not use the DEP Form-WPA Form 8a, as it does not include the bylaw information required to issue the permit.

Applications and Plans Submissions

All application packets submitted to the Conservation Commission, including plans, must be submitted in electronic format to [email protected] with a single paper copy of the full application packet and payment of fees submitted to the Conservation Office. You may also use our OpenGov Online Permitting Portal, which is now available for Requests for Determination of Applicability and Notices of Intent. Please contact the Conservation Agent for instructions. Both methods require a complete submission and payment of fees at least 14 days prior to the public hearing date (excluding holidays). The deadline to act on the application does not begin until the Conservation Agent receives the completed online application, electronic copies, fees, and hard-copy documents. The Commission meets on the last Wednesday of each month unless otherwise noted on the Conservation Commission web page. The Commission's meetings are available via Zoom for remote attendance and in-house at Hanover Town Hall, 550 Hanover Street, in the second-floor meeting room. Each meeting agenda includes instructions for remote attendance.

About the Commission

Seven volunteer Hanover residents are required for a full Conservation Commission. This includes five voting members and two associate members. Each member is appointed by the Town Manager for a period of three years with approval from the Select Board. The Commission's main mission is to protect the natural resources of the Town of Hanover. In order to do so, their actions are based on state and local laws that protect wetlands and waterways. The types of permits that are issued are contingent upon the type and extent of each project.

The Conservation Commission holds approximately 12 meetings annually. Currently, the Commission meets regularly on the last Wednesday of every month.