Filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) Application

  1. Submit application (including (2) complete, collated hard copy sets of all applications materials, (2) full size copies of the plan, (8) 11 x 17 copies of the plan and a digital copy of the complete application and plans) to Westford Conservation Department by hand or First Class mail (Filing Deadline Dates) with the following materials:
     
    • Completed WPA Form 3 application with all required signatures (attach additional pages if necessary)
    • Project narrative and any supporting documentation necessary to describe how the project meets all performance standards
    • Documentation of the methodology used to delineate the Bordering Vegetated Wetlands boundary and/or other wetland resource areas
    • Certified List of Abutters obtained from the Assessor’s Office
    • Completed Notification to Abutters and Affidavit of Service forms
    • Completed and signed Third Party Billing Form authorizing legal advertising expenses
    • Copy of Town GIS Map, USGS quadrangle, or other map sufficiently displaying subject property and surrounding area
    • Plans depicting the proposed work and/or activity on the project site, and resource area boundaries.  Plans shall be signed and stamped by a registered professional engineer, land surveyor or landscape architect as appropriate
    • Completed NOI Wetland Fee Transmittal Form, including a copy of MassDEP Fee Submittal Form and payment made tot he State (variable)
    • Town applications Fees (check or cash)
  2. Submit application, plan, copies of fee transmittal form and payments to Mass DEP by certified mail. Send to:
              DEP-NE Regional Office, Wetlands Division
              205-B Lowell St.
              Wilmington, MA 01887

  3. Send Fee transmittal form and DEP fee to:
              Commonwealth of Massachusetts
              Department of Environmental Protection
              Box 4062
              Boston, MA 02211

  4. Hold onto to the Certified Mail receipts. You are required to bring them to the Public Hearing
  5. Public hearing and decision:
     
    • Upon receipt of a complete application, the Conservation Department will schedule the Applicant for a public hearing before the Conservation Commission. The Conservation Department will prepare and submit a legal notice to a local newspaper for publication at least 5-business days prior to the hearing (the applicant will be billed by the newspaper directly).
    • The Conservation Department may elect to conduct a site visit prior to the hearing.
    • The applicant or representative must be present at the hearing and they should be prepared to give a short ten-minute presentation to the Commission about the proposed project and the site conditions. Don’t forget to bring your Certified mail receipts to confirm all abutters were given notice of the hearing!
    • Once the Commission renders its decision (Order of Conditions), the applicant, any abutter or a citizen group has 10 days to appeal the decision to MassDEP and the District Court.
  6. Reminders
     
    • Approved work must be completed within 3 years.
    • Any changes to the approved plan must be reviewed by the Commission prior to undertaking the changes.
    • Applicant/owner must comply with all conditions attached to the decision.
    • Check with Building, Planning, Zoning and Health Departments as they may also require permits for proposed work.