Townsend Conservation Commission unanimously backs two candidates for open seats

TOWNSEND -- May 13, 2026, Townsend Conservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend Abigail Farley for an open seat expiring June 30, 2026, while deferring action on a second candidate. The 4-0 vote, taken at the May 13 meeting, will be forwarded to the Select Board, which holds appointing authority; Brian Pinkerton was invited to attend the May 27 meeting before a recommendation on the second vacancy is made. The board also continued, by unanimous votes, both a Notice of Intent filed by Kevin Smith for work at Zero Workline Road and a discussion of after-the-fact tree cutting at the Townsend Historical Society's 72 Main Street property, both to May 27, pending updated engineering and arborist plans from representative Frank McPartland. Commissioners authorized the conservation agent to seek pricing from surveyors on three parcels, including a 57-acre property protecting Witch Brook, for a National Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council land grant with an approximate June 1 application deadline, with prior grants running $10,000 to $15,000. The board also pushed its annual reorganization vote to June 10 in hopes of seating a full commission before reorganizing.