Conservation Commission

Meetings

  • 6:00 p.m.
  • 1st Tuesday of each month
  • Council Chambers 
    Town Hall
    180 High Street
    Wakefield, RI 02879

Agendas & Minutes


Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes


Members


The seven members each serve 3-year terms:

  •  David Flanders - Chair
  • Mary L. Talbot-Rabuano - Vice Chair
  • Matthew Bradywood - Secretary 
  • Lorraine Joubert
  • J. Vernon Wyman
  • Dennis Bowman
  • Melissa Hughes

Purpose

The General Assembly enacted legislation in 1960 authorizing Rhode Island cities and towns to establish Conservation Commissions. The Town Council first established the South Kingstown Conservation Commission on March 4, 1961.

The South Kingstown Conservation Commission also serves as the Town Tree Board as well as the On-site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Commission.

Advisory Functions


The Conservation Commission promotes and develops natural resources to protect watershed resources, and to preserve natural aesthetic areas, among other functions.

The Advisory duties of the Conservation Commission, pursuant to 1960 Public Law, Chapter 203, are as follows:


  1. To promote and develop natural resources to protect watershed resources, and to preserve natural aesthetic areas.
  2. To conduct research into local land areas and to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and to advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment are deemed necessary for its work.
  3. To recommend to the Town Council and to other municipal boards and agencies a program for the better promotion, development, utilization or preservation of open areas, streams, shores, wooded areas, roadsides, swamps, marshlands and natural aesthetic areas.
  4. To work with organizations such as, but not limited to, the South Kingstown Land Trust, toward the goals of natural resource protection and open space designation.
Decisions and recommendations by the Conservation Commission should be made within the discipline of good conservation practice, unfettered by concern for legal or other considerations.

Contact Us

  1. Jason Parker, AICP

    Principal Planner
    Email
    Phone: (401) 789-9331 x1245

  2. James D. Rabbitt, AICP

    Planning Director
    Email
    Phone: (401) 789-9331 x1246

  3. Planning

    Physical Address
    180 High Street
    Wakefield, RI 02879

    Phone: (401) 789-9331 x1244
    Fax: (401) 788-9792

    Directory