New chair Tom Cronin and secretary Tom Herman elected at Conservation Commission organizational meeting

The Town Conservation Commission elected Tom Cronin as chair and Tom Herman as secretary at its regular meeting on Sept. 11.

The commission conducted roll-call introductions for new and continuing members and then held officer elections. A member nominated Tom Cronin for chair; nominations closed and the commission voted "It's unanimous," a meeting participant said. Later in the meeting Tom Herman was nominated and elected secretary by unanimous voice vote.

Members discussed the secretary's duties and filing requirements. Staff explained that votes must be recorded within 24 hours and minutes filed within seven days with the town clerk; the secretary's role was described as preparing concise minutes that capture motions, votes and main discussion points rather than verbatim transcripts. The commission noted the town maintains video recordings of meetings for public review.

The commission approved its annual regular-meeting schedule for the calendar year (second Thursday of each month, subject to rescheduling with 31-day notice). Members were advised that regular-meeting dates may be adjusted for holidays or quorum issues and that a special meeting can be scheduled when more time is needed for a topic.

Commissioners also discussed continuing the guest-speaker series the commission ran in the prior year. Staff and members described two prior presentations (on fireflies and on bird migration) and agreed to place the speaker-program item on the next agenda so the commission can decide whether and how to expand public promotion and digital communications for those sessions.