The Town of Lakeville Conservation Commission spent the bulk of its Oct. 14 meeting discussing a proposed town wetland bylaw and whether to bring such a measure to spring town meeting.

Commission members said the town needs local authority to enforce wetland protections and debated whether to simply ratify the state Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act or to pursue additional local restrictions such as a 25‑foot ‘‘no touch’’ buffer adjacent to resource areas.

"The imperative thing is to adopt and ratify the state Wetlands Protection Act," the acting chair said, arguing that without a local adoption the commission has limited enforcement authority and must rely on an overburdened DEP. Several members expressed a preference for an incremental approach: first ratify state regulations and then consider additional protections at a later date.

Some commissioners warned that a strict 25‑foot no‑touch restriction could provoke strong opposition from lakefront property owners and associations, and that prior, more expansive proposals had failed at town meeting. One commissioner recommended defining ‘‘new construction’’ narrowly so the bylaw would focus on undeveloped land or major redevelopment rather than routine yard work or additions to long‑standing homes.

The commission discussed grandfathering language for existing lawns, exemptions for preexisting nonconforming lots, and the need for a clear definition of ‘‘new construction’’ to distinguish developers from incremental homeowner improvements. Commissioners also emphasized education and outreach — explaining how wetland protection helps drinking water, reduces flooding risk and protects habitat — as part of any effort to put a bylaw before voters.

Members directed staff to prepare comparative information on neighboring communities’ bylaws and any local additions to the state regulations; the acting chair and the conservation agent agreed to present a table of surrounding towns’ approaches at the next meeting. The commission agreed to host outreach or an informational session before placing any new bylaw on a town warrant.

No final bylaw vote was taken on Oct. 14. Commissioners said the issue will return for further discussion and outreach well ahead of any spring town meeting submission.