Conservation Commission seeks clearer process for Shoreland and Wetland application notifications from DES

At the July 6 meeting, Clayton Titus (Land Use Technician) and Austin Wakefield (Code Enforcement, Building Inspector, Health Officer) described how wetland applications generally are submitted to the Town but that Shoreland applications sometimes reach the Town only after NH DES determines approval. Members expressed concern that the Town is not always informed early enough to provide timely input.

Suggestions to close the gaps included mailing an information sheet with the tax bill and updating the Land Use Office FAQ page. The commission assigned an action: ConCom will provide Austin Wakefield with a clearly defined written process for information sharing about wetland and shoreland applications and suggested text for the Land Use website FAQ page.

This is an operational, procedural change rather than a regulatory change. The commission’s goal is to ensure staff and members receive application notices early enough to review and, when warranted, comment during state and local review timelines.