Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
CONCOM FY 16 Budget
Saved text from 8 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
Source page 1
171 CONSERVATION COMMISSION BUDGET FY12 FY 13 FY14 Original Actual FY16 FY16 Comment.Reason for
WORKSHEET FY16 Actual Actual Actual Budget YTD Base Dept. Increase/Decrease
Expense Expense Expense FY15 Expenses Budget Request
Thru
9/30/14
11711 -51100 DEPARTMENT HEAD SALARY 0 9,503 44,108 44,725 10,397 46,531 80,000 Incr. to 40 hrs. (see
attached letter)
11711 -51151 DEPT. SECRETARY III SAL. 17,940 19,117 33,452 35,327 7,905 36,604 36,604
11711 -51159 CLERICAL SALARY 1,942 2,195 1,892 3,254 258 3,254 3,384 step increase
11711 -51200 TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES SAL. 0 10,913 0 0 0 0 0
11711 -51400 LONGEVITY 0 0 400 600 0 600 600
SALARIES & WAGES $ 19,882 $41,727 $79,851 $83,906 $18,560 $86,989 120588
11712 -53124 CON. COMM.CON INSPECT 47,181 18,224 0 0 0 0 0
11712-53400 TELEPHONE/COMMUNICATIONS 276 235 214 300 59 300 300
11712 -53408 POSTAGE 206 235 201 400 113 400 300 dcr. Based on FY14
11712-5340D ADVERTISING 280 105 0 300 0 300 300
11712-54001 SUPPLIES 433 995 973 1,000 259 1,000 1000
11712-54006 COPIER SUPPLIES 46 110 114 200 0 200 200
11712 -57000 OTHER CHARGES/EXPENDITURE 0 952 5,572 0 0 0 500 GPS unit/one time
purchase
11712 -57105 IN-STATE TRAVEL 0 0 769 300 100 300 500 insufficient for
mileage based on
FY14
11712-5710C MEETINGS 0 225 360 1,000 75 1,000 1000
11712-57300 DUES & MEMBERSHIPS 533 654 600 1,000 618 1,000 1000
Subtotal $ 48,956 $21,734 $8,802 $4,500 $1,224 $4,500 5100
Expenses
TOTAL 171 CONSERVATION COMMISSION $ 68,839 $63,462 $88,653 $88,406 $19,784 $91,489 125688
Dept. Head signature / DateSource page 2
Canton, Massachusetts
Position Title: Conservation Agent
Statement of Duties
Position performs technical inspection work for the Conservation Commission, including
field visits, inspections site work, drafting orders of conditions, attending Commission
meetings, and otherwise ensuring compliance with applicable wetlands regulations, codes,
and bylaws, issuing findings and recommendations. The Agent uses professional expertise,
critical thinking and interpersonal skills to accomplish varied functions that range in nature
from routine to complex. These require considerable judgment and initiative in determining
courses of action not clearly defined by precedent, statute or established guidelines.
The Conservation Agent is on an individual contract agreement with the Board of Selectman
Supervision
Employee works under the general direction of the Board of Selectman and under the direct
supervision of the Chair of the Conservation Commission. Supervises all other Commission
staff, Occasionally supervises consultants hired by the Commission, and volunteers working
on conservation land or Commission projects, Serves as advisor/liaison to other
boards/departments as directed by the Commission. Employee plans and prioritizes work in
accordance with standard practices and previous training and is expected to solve problems
by adapting methods or interpreting instructions. Instructions for new assignments or special
projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities.
Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with Commission, but
ordinarily the employee plans the work, lays it out and carries it through to completion
independently. Work is generally reviewed only for technical adequacy, appropriateness of
actions or decisions, and conformance with policy or other requirements; the methods used in
arriving at the end result are not usually reviewed in detail. Employee works with minimal
supervision and must exhibit a high level of professional integrity.
Job Environment
Position responsibilities require judgment in interpreting and applying complex regulations,
codes, bylaws, and regulations to ensure compliance of construction sites being inspected.
Work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized
techniques relating wetland protection and conservation management. Assignments typically
Conservation Commission
Conservation Agent
—ELSA Exempt
December 2012
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Canton, Massachusetts
involve inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established codes and gathering,
analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact finding techniques to determine
the cause of violations. The variety of conservation related matters calls for a high degree of
specialized knowledge. While laws and guidelines are available and need to be observed,
they do not cover all the situations to be faced on a regular basis, Hence, incumbent must
exercise judgment, ingenuity and initiative in handling and resolving problems and situations.
Errors made could result in delay or loss of service, monetary loss, or legal liability.
The position has frequent contact with contractors, the public, design professionals, town
departments, and state agencies. The purpose for these contacts is to provide information and
assistance regarding department policies and procedures, discuss the status of projects,
interpret wetlands bylaws, rules, and regulations, and schedule inspections. Contacts are
made in person, on the telephone, or in writing.
Position Functions
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various
types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not
exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to, or
extension of the position.
Essential Functions
1, Assists the Commission in planning, acquisition, administration and management of
municipal conservation land.
2. Investigates, monitors, and makes recommendations to the Commission on matters
involving wetland protection with the Town.
3. Provides support, preparation, and participation at scheduled Commission meetings.
4. Conducts review of plans submitted to determine compliance with local Wetlands by
laws and regulations and Chapter 140, Section 8C, including site visit for proposed
wetlands work,
5, Assures compliance with rules and regulations for conservation lands; issues needed
permits and addresses user problems
Conservation Commission
Conservation Agent
—FLSA Exempt
December 2012
2Source page 4
Canton, Massachusetts
6. Drafts orders of conditions for review, discussion, and approval by the Commission.
7. Researches, pursues and coordinates grant and other funding opportunities; writes
proposals and manages grants
8. Inspects worksites to determine compliance with order of conditions, and application
laws, rules, and regulations.
9. Appears at ad judicatory proceedings on behalf of the Commission to properly present
rationale for regulatory actions taken.
10.Drafts, with commission, budget/annual report
11.Assists the Commission in the administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts
Wetlands Protection Act (WPA), Rivers Protection Act, MassDEP Stormwater
Regulations, Canton Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations, Canton Stormwater and Erosion
Control Bylaw and Regulations, and other relevant town bylaws and regulations.
12.Assures legal requirements are met including postings, timeframes, minutes and other
records.
13.Reviews Notices of Intent/other filings and associated documents for accuracy,
completeness and compliance with the law and regulations. Ensures filing fees are
calculated correctly.
14.Arranges and conducts, along with Commissioners, on-site inspections related to filings,
permit compliance monitoring, and violations. Prepares relevant forms/reports.
15.Assures or conducts review of field delineations, sensitive areas, presence of rare species
etc.
16.Monitors construction to ensure compliance with permits.
17.Assures Commission participation in DEP and court appeals. At direction of
Commission consults with town counsel and assists in the preparation of testimony and
other documents.
18.Responds to complaints, investigates potential violations and takes/recommends
appropriate action/remediation.
Conservation Commission
Conservation Agent
—FLSA Exempt
December 2012
3Source page 5
Canton, Massachusetts
19. Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Recommended Minimum Qualifications
Physical and Mental Requirements
The incumbent works in a quiet office setting with outdoor work up to 1/3 rd of the time.
There is little risk of personal injury. Physical demands generally involve standing and
walking up to 2/3rd of the time; and sitting up to 1/3rd of the time. Seldom is weight lifted or
force exerted up to 10 lbs. Some work is performed in the field, in thick woods, and in wet
area. There is exposure to outside weather conditions. There are normal vision requirements
for this position. Equipment used may include an automobile, standard office machines,
personal computers, survey equipment, maps, and wheel tape measures.
Education and Experience
A Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences or related field with a minimum of three years
experience in wetlands protection, land conservation, environmental management or related
field. This candidate should have specialized training in soil sciences, conservation practices,
plant and tree species and wildlife habitat. Employee must have a valid Massachusetts Class
D Motor Vehicle Operator's license and use of motor vehicle.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
A candidate for this class of position should have
• Principles of land protection and management.
• Identification of local plants, natural communities, and wildlife.
• Statutes and regulations applicable to the jurisdiction of Conservation Commission.
• The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and associated regulations and policies,
and of wetlands bylaws.
• Wetlands boundary identification/verification based on plant species and indicator
status identification of hydric soils using Munsell or similar charts
• Rare species requirements, vernal pools and the certification process.
• Geology and hydrology, erosion control techniques, retention and detention ponds.
• a working knowledge of interdisciplinary techniques, methods and principles used
when working with conservation issues;
• knowledge of local, state, and federal programs and laws that affect wetland
protection;
Conservation Commission
Conservation Agent
—FLSA Exempt
December 2012
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Canton, Massachusetts
• knowledge of the roles of conservation commissions
• knowledge of basic financial management techniques and practices;
• A candidate for this class of position should have the ability to deal effectively with
various local, state and federal agencies at various levels;
• to organize and plan work; communicate clearly, in oral, written and graphic form
• the ability to effectively supervise subordinates;
• to identify and define goals and objectives; and work independently
• to evaluate programs, ideas, and measures proposed to deal with conservation
problems.
Conservation Commission
Conservation Agent
—FLSA Exempt
December 2012
5Source page 7
Jones, Ellen
From: Deb Sundin <dcsundin@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 9:01 PM
To: Jones, Ellen
Cc: O'Connell, Cynthia
Subject: Fwd: ConCom Budget FY16
Attachments: Con_Com_FY16_Budget_Worksheet.xls; CA job_description.pdf
Hi Ellen,
If you could pass this along to the FinCom in preparation for our appearance on the 12th that would be great.
Thanks,
Deb
Original Message
From: Deb Sundin <dcsundinaaol.com>
To: bfriel <bfrielatown.canton.maus>; jmurgia <jmurgiaatown.canton.ma.us>
Cc: coconnell <coconnelltown.canton.ma.us>; slandry2238 <slandry2238verizon.net>
Sent: Wed, Jan 7, 2015 10:34 am
Subject: ConCom Budget FY16
Bill and Jim,
Attached you will find the requested budget for ConCom for FY16. This year we are asking for an increase of $34,069 to
the budget for FY16. The breakdown is as follows:
+$33,469 - Increase in the agent's salary by changing the position to fulltime, 40 hours a week, from part-time, 24 hours a
week. See justification below.
+$500 - Increase in other expenditures for the purchase of a GPS unit for use by the Conservation Commission for
verifying mapping information on plans submitted for approval by the Commission.
-$100 - Decrease in the postage use
+$200 - Increase in travel expense as this appears to not be sufficiently budgeted. As of September 30th we had already
used a third of the budget for FY15.
Total increase in budget = $34,069
Proposal to change the Conservation Agent position to full-time from part-time.
Attached is a copy of the current position description for the Conservation Agent. In additions to those duties, I would like
to add:
1. Department head responsibilities. Cindy has been acting as Department Head since she arrived. She has assumed
responsibility for managing the office and the conservation information office. Since she has been acting in this capacity,
it is clear she is more than capable of running the office and supervising the current staff both paid and unpaid and it
should be added to her responsibilities.
2. Responsibility for the oversight of Conservation owned land including the Pequitside properties. This would include
updating and maintaining the Open Space Plan for the town and overseeing future projects at Pequitside based on the
Master Plan including the renovation of the historic barn and improvements to the parking lot. Projects at Pequitside and
other open space projects will not get done if the agent is not given enough time to do them.
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3. Responsibility for Stormwater Education in accordance with the MS4 General Permit. On the Town of Canton NPDES
Pll and MS4 General Permit Annual Report the Conservation Agent has been assigned several tasks that must be
completed to keep us in compliance with the state regulations. There is no time in the current schedule to complete these
tasks. By going fulltime the Conservation Agent could develop and implement the Stormwater Education Plan assigned to
the Conservation and required by the state permitting agency.
In addition to the above responsibilities, the benefits to having a full-time agent would include having the agent available:
to answer questions and assist applicants 5 days a week; for inspections and reviews when needed and to attend
department head and other town meetings of significance to the Conservation Commission.
The cost of the increase will be funded partially by the Soil & Erosion revolving fund which collects an average of $17,000
annually. This revolving fund was set up to compensate the prior agent for inspections and has not been used by the
current Conservation Agent.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. I look forward to speaking with you about it. I will plan on appearing at
the BOS hearing of January 27.
Best,
Deb Sundin
Chair
Canton Conservation Commission
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