Wetlands Protection Committee

The Wellesley Wetlands Protection Committee (often referred to as the Conservation Commission in other towns) is a 5-member board of volunteers who are appointed by Wellesley's Natural Resources Commission (NRC). The NRC, having the powers and duties of a Conservation Commission, has delegated to the Wetlands Protection Committee the power and authority to administer and enforce the provisions of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL Ch. 131 §40) and the Wellesley Wetlands Protection Bylaw (Article 44).

With this authority, the Wetlands Protection Committee (WPC) is responsible for reviewing and permitting any proposed work within a Wetland Buffer Zone, a Riverfront Area, or a Wetland Resource Area. The WPC should be consulted with prior to initiating any work within these areas.

Meetings

The Wellesley Wetlands Protection Committee is currently meeting remotely as per Governor Baker’s Executive Orders of March 12, 2020, Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place. 
 
 The public meeting is streamed live on local cable TV Comcast channel 9/Verizon channel 39 and /or is available online at: https://www.wellesleymedia.org/live- streaming.html.

The WPC is still meeting every 21 days on Thursday evenings. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. Please check the agenda 48 hours prior to the meeting for more specifics on the date, time, and discussion items. 

WPC 2026 Meeting Schedule

Members

Name Title Term Expires
Eleanor McLane Chair June 30, 2028
Peter Jones Vice Chair
June 30, 2027
Eben Scanlon Member June 30, 2026
Doug Hersh Member June 30, 2026
Vacant Member
Vacant Associate Member
Vacant Associate Member
Tobias Stover   in memory

The Wetlands Protection Committee is always seeking to add more board members. If you are interested in joining or learning more information, please contact the NRC.