The Commission was established on March 11, 1972, at the annual Town Meeting. Its activities are reported on monthly in The Dresden Communicator and in the Dresden Annual Town Report.
The DCC consists of seven voting members chosen by the Selectmen to serve on a voluntary basis. Associate members (non-voting) are appointed by the Selectmen to assist the Commission and may be appointed to full membership in the event of vacancies.
The Commission’s responsibilities: Build awareness of environmental issues through information gathering; advocate for conservation issues; support environmental education in the school system; consider requests from town officers regarding environmental impact issues. (Mission statement, adopted Feb. 28, 2001)
Anyone interested in the environment or in any aspect of Dresden’s natural resources is welcome to attend our regular meetings. The dates are listed in the monthly Dresden Communicator. We welcome your participation!
For more information, please write to us in care of the Dresden Town Office (PO Box 30, Dresden ME 04342) or contact one of our members.
Commission members correspond regularly via e-mail. If you would like to share ideas and information with us on a regular basis, please contact the Chair.
Current Members (as of June 4, 2011)
Tim Nason
183 Alexander Rd. (737-8278)
Dave Probert
103 Perry Drive (737-4959)
Kaddee Vitelli
29 Clancy Rd. (737-5701)
Jeff Davis
104 Perry Dr (737-8711)
William Costello
310 Patterson Rd (809-8175)
Joan Drappeau
64 Beech Ridge Rd (737-2609)
We welcome volunteer participation in our projects.
What We Do
The Conservation Commission uses the following methods to fulfill its mission:
Education, Events, Advice, Recommendations, Research, Mapping, Testing, Monitoring.
If necessary, we can also help with town ordinances and recommend enforcement.
Programs
Groundwater Monitoring
- Annually monitor Dresden groundwater by testing 20 wells per year, chosen for geographical spread on a rotating schedule.
Field Revitalization Program
- Encourage field owners and hay contractors to increase the fertility and productivity of open fields through soil tests, application of safe, appropriate materials, timely harvesting, and MOFGA certification of hay for sale to organic dairy farms. This program is supported by a Harvest Fund grant from Maine Initiatives [https://www.maineinitiatives.org] and is assisted by the Tide & Tide Resource Conservation & Development Council.
A Field Revitalization was held on July 1, 2004. The workshop was well attended and offered a wealth of information covering everything from soil testing to composting. Click here for a comprehensive list of field revitalization resources that were provided at the workshop.
Annual Nature in Dresden Photo Contest
- Host an annual photography contest in November for Dresden residents. Pictures are displayed at the Bridge Academy Public Library and at public events in Dresden, and may be printed in Dresden publications.
Seen in Dresden
- Every month, residents and visitors report wildlife sightings and other natural phenomena to our coordinator, Kaddee Vitelli () for publication in the town’s newsletter, The Dresden Communicator.
Recycling and Solid Waste
Continuing Activities
Natural Resources
- Regularly update Dresden’s Natural Resource maps. One recent map shows open spaces, which may help identify locations for recreation areas and scenic views. We also have the Beginning with Habitat maps and materials for Dresden and Merrymeeting Bay, published by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. We were recently given a Dresden soils map showing areas of prime farmland and soils of agricultural importance, published by the Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Land Use
- We attend Planning Board meetings (by representative); also help with environmental issues when needed.
- We attend and speak at Selectmen’s meetings, public hearings, and town meetings regarding conservation matters.
- We review town ordinances, state laws and state regulations concerning environmental issues. During the past several years we have studied state regulations pertaining to auto junkyards and the application of sludge and other wastes to farmland. We also looked into ordinances and regulations pertaining to natural buffer zones around gravel pits.
Education
- We attend conferences and workshops to learn about conservation issues and techniques to protect open space.
- We invite speakers to our meetings for education and training purposes.
- Speakers are invited to present information to the public.
- We maintain a nature trail and outdoor classroom at the Dresden Elementary School. In 2003, we facilitated an in-depth presentation for Dresden Elementary School teachers by Maine Project Learning Tree [https://www.mainetreefoundation.org], part of a national program that promotes outdoor education.
Cooperation with Other Groups
- We work with Dresden organizations and other committees or boards to co-sponsor progams and events.
- We work with committees of other towns, with regional groups, and with county and state agencies, to become educated about — and develop solutions to — environmental issues of a regional nature. Examples include tree cutting, preserving open space, sprawl, water supplies, clean water, pollution, energy sources, land spreading of municipal and industrial wastes, recycling and solid waste disposal.
- Three Commission members serve as trustees of the Kenneth and Helen Woodward Memorial Fund. The Fund supports environmental and conservation projects in Dresden that educate and inform residents on natural resources and related issues. Applications for grants must be received by March 1st.
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We need your help!
The Dresden Conservation Commission welcomes the help of anyone who is interested in the town’s natural resources — its water, air, soils, wetlands, fields and forests.
Can you help us with education programs and events?
Are you skilled in graphics, photography or public relations?
Are you knowledgeable about a particular aspect of the environment?
Do you like outdoor work, such as trail maintenance or annual clean-ups?
Would your group or committee like to work with us?
Could you contribute your technical expertise as we learn about conservation issues and provide others with advice and offer recommendations?
Do you have special research or mapping skills?
Are you interested in testing and monitoring?
Please let us know!
Maine Law Authorizing Conservation Commissions
Conservation Commissions in Maine operate under the auspices of Maine state law, Title 30-A, Section 3261.
Duties
In accordance with this law, Conservation Commissions shall:
- Keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the muncipality;
- Conduct research, in conjunction with the Planning Board, into local land areas;
- Seek to coordinate the activities of conservation bodies organized for similar purposes;
- Keep an index of all open areas within the municipality, whether publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the proper protection, development or use of those open areas. The commission may recommend to the municipal officers or any municipal body or board, or any body politic or public agency of the State, a program for the better protection, development or use of those areas, which may include the acquisition of conservation easements.
(1) Any body politic or public agency of the State conducting planning operations with respect to open areas within a municipality having a conservation commission shall notify the conservation commission of all plans and planning operations at least 30 days before implementing any action under that plan.
Powers
Conservation commissions may:
- Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which it considers necessary;
- Have the care and superintendence of the public parks and, subject to the approval of the municipal officers, direct the expenditure of all money appropriated for the improvement of those parks;
- Acquire land in the municipality’s name for any purposes set forth in this section with the approval of the municipal legislative body;
- Receive gifts in the municipality’s name for any of the commission’s purposes and shall administer the gift for those purposes subject to the terms of the gift.
Source: Title 30-A Section 3261 in https://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/30-a/title30-asec3261.html (Jan. 31, 2003)
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