NORTH ATTLEBORO - Local developer Fred Bottomley says he will have no problem setting aside his role as a developer, and making decisions in the best interest of the town while serving on the conservation commission.

Selectmen appointed Bottomley last week to fill a vacancy on the board in a 3-2 vote, with Selectmen John Rhyno and Michael Thompson opposed.

A majority of the board said Bottomley's extensive experience in land use and planning would be a benefit to the board, but Rhyno and Thompson were concerned about potential conflicts of interest.

"Clearly there will be times that I will have to recuse myself. I'm not going to embarrass myself or anyone else," Bottomley said.

"Other members of the conservation commission have had to recuse themselves or disclose their affiliation with someone before (the board.) The important part of the process is being open about it." Bottomley pointed out that he will not be the only conservation commission member to work in the building industry - members Michael Lunn and Clifford Bassett are both carpenters.

The sole applicant for the post, Bottomley said he decided to apply because, "I'll be 60 in February, and all my kids are adults now. It's a good time to give back. Conservation is probably one of the places where I could really offer something positive for the community.

The conservation commission is made up of all good members, but no one has in-the-field practical experience. I have that as a licensed septic installer in North Attleboro."

Bottomley pointed out that his family also has experience in the field. His father was one of the founding members of the Norton Conservation Commission, and much of Bottomley's service in North Attleboro has related to issues of land use and planning.

He was one of the town's first Representative Town Meeting members and has served on the finance committee and as the town's representative to the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District. He also served for 18 years on the town's industrial development finance authority, and for an equal amount of time on the town's industrial development commission.

He also has been active in non-political causes, including the Hockomock Area YMCA Board of Directors and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Bottomley is also a licensed agriculturalist because he owns several cranberry bogs and works some for conservation commissions on Cape Cod.

Bottomley, has worked with his father-in-law, Alan Riley, as a developer since 1968 and concedes, "We have probably been the most prolific builders and developers in town. We've had some big projects in town like running the sewer line down Route 1 for the mall.

"I think my family's good contributions outweigh the bad. Yes, Route 1 has a lot of traffic between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the rest of the year, the town should count its blessings because of the tax revenue that area brings in."

While his appointment is for seven months, Bottomley already has a long list of items he would like to accomplish. Among his goals are the creation of a tree bylaw that would require developers to replant public shade trees. Several other communities have a similar bylaw, including Norton, which he said is the best example he has found so far.

He said developers also should be required to replace a percentage of trees removed from property.

Currently, when the conservation commission creates orders of conditions, or the requirements that must be followed for a particular project, it only references the plans submitted to the board. Bottomley said that means homeowners who later purchase the property may not realize the land is adjacent to or contains wetlands. He would like to see a small copy of all plans included in the orders of conditions to help prevent those issues.

He also said he believes the town should adopt the Community Preservation Act or a conveyance tax that would bring in money that could be set aside for the purchase of open space. And, he said he would like to see members of the conservation commission receive certification from the state.

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.