Berlin Conservation Commission Elects New Chair as Longtime Leader Departs for Select Board Run

BERLIN — May 6, 2026 — Berlin Conservation Commission names new chair as longtime leader steps aside. The commission voted unanimously at its May 6 meeting to appoint member AJ as its new chair, filling the seat vacated by the outgoing chair, who announced she is running for Berlin Select Board in an uncontested election. In a second unanimous vote, member Lexi was appointed to fill the commission's seat on the Community Preservation Act Committee. The meeting's longest exchange involved Allen Road resident Chris Williams, summoned by letter after snowmobile and ATV tracks near Forty Caves and Garfield Woods conservation land were traced toward his property; Williams denied any involvement and offered photographic evidence of his equipment stored out of state, while commission members said they would continue pressing the Massachusetts Environmental Police to enforce motorized-vehicle prohibitions on posted conservation land. The commission also learned that Town Meeting recently approved CPA funding to clean up the Clark property and $100,000 for an open-space due-diligence fund.