Conservation Update 3/17/20

As you are aware, Hanover Town Hall has been closed to the public for an estimated 2 week period (or longer- as things develop further we’ll have a better idea of time periods). The Conservation Office is staffed by myself and all precautions are being taken, including social distancing within the building.   We continue to serve the public through electronic means as necessary.

Inspections

All site inspections will continue, but I will maintain social distancing at all sites and other precautions as recommended by the CDC. 

Meetings

Governor Baker's March 10, 2020 Executive Order (attached) has allowed remote participation of Members for essential hearings and holding those hearings without the public present, as well as other changes so that business can still be conducted.  As we are not set up for remote participation for our Commission Members at this time, the Conservation Commission’s next meeting of April 1, 2020, has been canceled.  As per Conservation Chairman McLoone, a meeting will be posted for Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in hopes that the circumstances improve.  All applications can still be submitted now if ready, or by maintaining the normal 2-week deadline for NOI’s, ANRAD’s, and RDA’s for the April 22nd meeting, but please submit the attached Waiver of Time Frame, in case it has to be rescheduled and we cannot meet DEP’s 21-day deadline to hold the public hearing.  In addition, we are asking at this time that applications and all supporting documents be submitted electronically to sandra.macfarlane@hanover-ma.gov and Derek Vozzella, derek.vozzella@hanover-ma.gov.

Permits

As a reminder, Minor Activities Permits for safety issues, such as storm-damaged trees, or failed septic systems and similar, are still available through the Conservation Office and do not require a public hearing for issuance.  Please read the attached form carefully for requirements and restrictions.   An email or phone (781-826-6505) request can be submitted to me at any time for initiating a site inspection and processing the completed form during normal business hours.       

Open Space

Conservation Commission Chairman McLoone has advised that scheduled events be canceled until further notice.  Requests for use of Open Space parcels by groups will not be permitted at this time until further notice.  It is advisable to suspend trail walks for all groups as well.  Of course, individual use of the public trails has to be self-monitored and social distancing is recommended if others are encountered.   

Hanover Police Department Firing Range on Clark Bog Parcel

As long as precautions are followed as per the most current CDC.gov information on COVID-19, the use of the range for PD training will continue.    

Questions and Contact

Please use the following contact information for questions.

Sandra D. MacFarlane, Conservation Agent
Email: sandra.macfarlane@hanover-ma.gov
Phone: 781-826-6505
Mobile: 781-635-5128