Conservation commission to prepare fall RFP and seek Town Meeting funds for NRI and conservation‑plan update

The Washington Conservation Commission agreed July 8 to pursue a funded update of its Natural Resources Inventory (NRI), conservation plan and maps.

The commission plans to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) this fall to obtain price estimates and then ask for funds at the next Town Meeting (expected in March). The minutes state: "We will get an RFP together for fall in order to get prices for a warrant article for next March." The commission discussed budgeting and noted the NRI update should reference the Ashuelot River Management Plan; Tim Kendrick said he would share the name of a contractor who previously completed an NRI for NEFF.

Nan Schwartz agreed to look for the original RFP to inform the new procurement. The commission indicated it will develop a budget and include the warrant article at next year’s Town Meeting if pricing supports the request.

Next steps: commission members will draft an RFP for fall release, compile a budget to support a March warrant article, and follow up with potential contractors identified by Tim Kendrick and others.