c/o Conservation Department
725 Old Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-256-3071
Function
The Conservation Commission works to conserve, develop, supervise and regulate natural resources, both water resources and open space land.
Meetings
The regular monthly meeting of the Conservation Commission, acting as the Inland Wetlands Agency, is held the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm both virtually and at The Joseph Elias Fire Training Center, 205 One Rod Highway, Fairfield, CT.
The regular monthly meeting of the Conservation Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm both virtually and at The Joseph Elias Fire Training Center, 205 One Rod Highway, Fairfield, CT.
Meetings are currently held in a hybrid format. In-person at the Fire Training Center and via Webex (per the link on that meeting's agenda).
All schedules and locations are subject to change. Please check the Town Meetings Calendar for cancellations or location changes.
About the Conservation Commission
| Term Length: | Five Years (Two-Term Limit) |
| # of Full Members: | Seven plus 3 Alternates |
| Appointing Body: | First Selectman |
| Party Balance Required?: | Yes |
| Defined In: | Town Charter - Article X |
Description
Fairfield boasts many beautiful natural water and land resources. The Conservation Commission’s mission is to ensure that the town balances the need for economic growth of the town and the use of its land with the need to protect the environment and its natural resources. The Conservation Commission works to conserve, develop, supervise and regulate natural resources, both water resources and open space land.
Powers and Duties
Duties include:
- Conducting investigations into the use and possible uses of land.
- Keeping an index of all open spaces, whether publicly or privately owned, to ensure these spaces are being properly used.
- Recommending plans for development and use of open areas.
- With the approval of the RTM, considering acquisitions of land and easements in the name of the town and promulgating rules and regulations for the use of the land and easements.
- Protecting, preserving, maintaining and ensuring proper use of inland wetlands and watercourses whether for public or private use.
- Providing town citizens an orderly process to balance the need for economic growth with the need to protect the environment and natural resources.
- Adopting, amending and promulgating regulations as necessary to protect and define inland wetlands and watercourses.
- Advising, consulting, and cooperating with other town agencies and state and federal government
- Inventorying and evaluating the inland wetlands and watercourses
- Advertise, prepare, and distribute material as necessary for its purposes
- Establish a greenways plan for inclusion in the plan of conservation and development of the municipality
- Inventory natural resources and form watershed and drought management plans
- Make recommendations to other town agencies on proposed land use changes
- Supervise and manage town-owned open space or park property if delegated such authority
- Receive gifts in the name of the town
- Exchange information with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection who may assign personnel for assistance in planning or coordination conservation activities.
| # | Name (Party) | Title | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter C. Hood (D) | 11/2022 - 11/2027 | |
| 2 | Dabney Bowen (IT) | Vice-Chair | 11/2022 - 11/2027 |
| 3 | Richard J. Boucher (R) | Secretary | 11/2023 - 11/2028 |
| 4 | Kathryn M. O’Mahony (D) | 11/2023- 11/2028 | |
| 5 | Jay J. Fain (U) | 11/2019 - 11/2024 | |
| 6 | Luke Thomas (R) | Chair | 11/2020 - 11/2025 |
| 7 | Gerald Alessi (R) | 11/2020 - 11/2025 | |
| ALT1 | Amanda Mertens Campbell (R) | 11/2019 - 11/2024 | |
| ALT2 | Dianne L. Saunders (D) | 11/2019 - 11/2024 - Appointed by First Selectman on 02/13/24 to fill a vacancy. | |
| ALT3 | Theodore R. Luchsinger (D) | 11/2019 - 11/2024 - Appointed by First Selectman on 12/05/22 to fill a vacancy. |
