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Commission reviews multiple enforcement cases, issues and amends orders
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Summary
Staff updated the commission on a range of site violations and enforcement actions including cease‑and‑desist notices, an enforcement order amendment for a shed/garage site, and investigations of large land‑clearing operations that may require federal permits.
Conservation staff briefed the Town of Charlton Conservation Commission on multiple active enforcement matters and recent site disturbances during the Sept. 30 meeting, and the commission ratified and amended one enforcement order.
Staff said Highcrest Road had an unpermitted clearing of more than an acre tied to an application that did not include necessary land‑disturbance documentation; the commission issued a stop‑work/cease‑and‑desist and a fine had been assessed. Staff later reported an apparent renewed clearing action that will be monitored.
At 253 Worcester Road staff issued a cease‑and‑desist when clearing and disturbance of wetland and buffer areas were observed. The property owner has been directed to contract a wetland scientist (consultant Glenn Kravovsky was referenced) to delineate resource areas and prepare a plan; staff said a restoration plan and stabilization are required before the commission will consider further activity.
Staff described several other roadside graveling and equipment‑parking activities that may or may not exceed the one‑acre threshold that triggers federal stormwater permitting (EPA/NPDES). In cases where disturbance may exceed one acre, staff said the property owners would need to file land‑disturbance applications and federal permits and that the permitting timeline could take months.
The commission ratified and amended an enforcement order for 18 Oak Ridge that requires removal of soil placed in a resource area and restoration; the applicant withdrew a proposed garage permit and the enforcement order was adjusted to reflect that change and the agreed restoration steps. The commission approved the amendment by motion.
Staff told commissioners they had been issuing orders, following up with site inspections, and would require certified engineering or delineation statements where applicants claim disturbance is under the acre threshold but staff require verification.
No new fines or additional formal penalties were announced at the meeting; staff emphasized that stabilization and restoration plans must be filed before work proceeds on disturbed parcels.
