Commission ratifies enforcement order after discovering large fill piles at 160 Bedford Street; case continued

The Lakeville Conservation Commission on April 8 ratified an enforcement order addressing substantial stockpiles and site activity at 160 Bedford Street and continued the applicant’s pending filing to the April 22 meeting to allow a peer-review response.

Conservation staff reported photographs showing large piles of construction material near wetland limits. The commission’s agent said the contractor asserted the material had been used to fill borings, but a site consultant’s follow-up visit found no open borings to justify the volume observed. The commission’s agent said he had issued an enforcement order and recommended notifying the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) if further action were required.

The commission voted to ratify the enforcement order and asked staff to forward the site photos and enforcement materials to the commission’s DEP contact. The commission also accepted a peer-review engagement; the peer reviewer has been asked to evaluate the filing and the enforcement-related concerns and will respond to the commission and applicant. The applicant’s filing was continued to the April 22 meeting to allow time for the applicant to respond to the peer-review comments.

Vote and procedural notes: The commission’s motion to ratify the enforcement order carried by voice vote. A subsequent motion to continue the notice of intent/related filing for 160 Bedford Street to April 22 passed. The commission asked that the applicant and consultant provide responses at least one week before the next meeting so commissioners and the peer reviewer can review the materials.