Fairfield eliminates conservation admistrator

The Town of Fairfield would eliminate the position of conservation administrator if the proposed 2021-22 budget passes in its current iteration.

The Board of Selectmen voted 2-1 on Monday, March 8, to submit a budget without the conservation administrator funding to the Board of Finance, according to the Fairfield Citizen.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said “conservation staffing levels are similar to other towns and she said the selection of a new director along with making the wetlands compliance officer a full-time position make it tenable.”

More than 700 people — toward a goal of 1,000 set by organizers — have signed an online petition seeking restoration of a full-time conservation administrator. The change.org petition reads: “We, the residents of the Town of Fairfield, request that the Town of Fairfield commits to protecting the environmental quality of our community by restoring the position of Conservation & Wetlands Administrator to the Conservation Department, and filling the position with a qualified full-time employee. We need to ensure our wetlands, marshlands, open spaces, rivers and other resources are protected and sustainable for future generations.”

The Board of Finance will hear public comment on the proposed budget Thursday at 7 p.m. Those who wish to comment during the meeting should email Jennifer Carpenter at jcarpenter@fairfieldct.org by noon on Thursday, March 11, for instructions on how to comment during the meeting.

Comments may also be submitted before or after the meeting by sending an email to bof@fairfieldct.org. Include name and home address with the comment. All comments received and  verified will be included in the minutes with a name and home address, but the email address will be excluded.