The Select Board on Sept. 29 reviewed a drafted conservation agent job description adapted from a shared-services model and approved publishing the position at grade 4, step 1. Town staff said that at the recommended pay grade, the budgeted amount would fund approximately a 15-hour-per-week position.
The nut graf: The board authorized the town administrator to post the conservation agent job to expand conservation commission capacity over time; members noted the posted job assumes limited hours now and the commission could expand duties when additional resources become available.
Board members discussed the conservation commission's responsibilities for open-space protection, conservation restriction oversight and stormwater permitting. Town staff suggested that, as resources permit, a conservation agent could take on open-space management, oversight of conservation restrictions and assistance with stormwater compliance. The board recommended posting the job and flagging that the position's initial hours are limited to available budget.
Separately, the board discussed a ConCom question about paying for work on private conservation land (South Road). Select Board members and staff said public funds typically cannot be spent on private property and advised the commission to review funding sources; the town administrator will follow up with the commission.
Ending: The board approved the job description and posting for a part-time conservation agent at grade 4 step 1 and directed staff to follow up with the conservation commission about appropriate funding sources for the South Road matter.