NORTON - A local wetlands protection bylaw that voters rejected last month appears headed back before voters at the spring annual town meeting.

But this time, selectmen say, the conservation commission should more publicly persuade voters to support the bylaw starting now by showing how it affects them.

And conservation officials should address factual errors promoted by critics, some of whom, Selectwoman Mary Steele said, aren't registered voters in Norton.

Voters at the Oct. 5 fall annual town meeting rejected the commission's proposed bylaw after a 90-minute debate.

Opponents questioned approving a bylaw without specific rules and regulations, and said the bylaw could affect local homeowners. Supporters said the bylaw was proactive, long overdue and would mirror the state Wetlands Protection Act while further protecting Norton's water supply and addressing wetlands issues specific to the town.

"I think the town meeting discussion was a good dry run," commission member Julian Kadish said during a joint meeting between the boards last week. "I think it got the issue in the forefront, and I think it will be a good discussion in the spring."

Kadish said Norton is 53 percent wetlands, "so pretty much any development that occurs in this town has the potential to impact those wetlands."

And, about 95 percent of Norton gets its drinking water from the Canoe River Aquifer.

He called his board's proposal "a re-adjustment of the Wetlands Protection Act to local conditions" and said it would mainly affect large developments.

"This is a pretty minor issue. We're not asking for much in the way of much. The impact on the average applicant is going to be zero," Kadish said.

Selectmen Chairman Timothy Giblin replied, "The perception out there is this is a major change."

Kadish said a "misinformation campaign" in the two weeks leading up to town meeting shaped that perception.

The Citizens for Responsible Conservation, which has a Web site, was formed by about 13 property owners, including some residents, according to Bay Road landowner Joseph Cogliano who lives in Stoneham.

Selectmen Vice Chairman Robert Kimball Jr. said the absence of rules and regulations from the proposal was "a major factor" in the recent town meeting defeat. Kimball also said conservation officials must do more to spread their message.

Leading up to town meeting, all of the bylaw discussions were held during the commission's meetings, which are public. And Conservation Agent Jennifer Carlino held two public information sessions and appeared on local cable programs. Copies of the proposal and related documents were available on Norton's Web site.

However, Kimball said, "you guys aren't televised, so people don't hear."

At the same time, conservation officials were "very professional during the whole process," he said.

"That's given you guys credibility - a lot more credibility than you think," Kimball said.