Conservation commission backs bylaw correction and municipal land transfer for May Town Meeting; rodenticide petitions discussed

The Sharon Conservation Commission voted March 19 to support two warrant articles destined for the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting: an amendment to Town of Sharon Chapter 262 (Wetlands Bylaw) to correct wording related to posting public notices and a municipal land-transfer article authorizing the Select Board to transfer care and custody of town parcels (51R, 71R and 93R Mansfield Street) to the Conservation Commission.

Chair Peg Arguimbau and Conservation Administrator Josh Philibert said the commission had worked with Town Counsel to finalize the language of both articles and recommended the Finance Committee and town meeting include the items as written and mapped. Motion to support the Chapter 262 revision: moved by Alan Westman; seconded by Jon Wasserman. Roll-call vote: Wasserman — aye; McKeen — aye; Cremer — aye; Westman — aye; Geller — aye; Drisko — aye; Arguimbau — aye (7-0-0).

Motion to support the municipal land-transfer warrant article: moved by Keevin Geller; seconded by Brad McKeen. Roll-call vote: Wasserman — aye; McKeen — aye; Cremer — aye; Westman — aye; Geller — aye; Drisko — aye; Arguimbau — aye (7-0-0).

Commissioners also reviewed two citizen-petition articles filed by resident Judy Crosby proposing restrictions on rodenticide use on town property and within the town. Arguimbau summarized state-level citizen petitions on the topic and noted other municipalities have pursued similar measures. Commissioners discussed scope and statutory authority under the Wetland Protection Act and asked staff to obtain draft language used by the Lexington and Newton conservation commissions for consideration at a future meeting. No vote on the rodenticide petitions was taken at this meeting.