The Town of Charlton Conservation Commission took several enforcement actions, including directing the Department of Public Works to restore a town‑owned drainage pipe on Sunset Drive, issuing a stop‑work order while engineers verify elevations at a lakeside property dispute, and issuing an enforcement order after an unpermitted excavation drained a wetland at Cranberry Meadow Shore Road.

Sunset Drive pipe: Commission staff reported that a property owner at 173 Sunset Drive had cut a town‑owned stormwater pipe located in a town easement. Staff said the town owns and maintains the pipe and that cutting it is prohibited by the commission’s rules. The commission voted to have DPW return the pipe to its prior configuration. The motion to have DPW restore the pipe was approved.

Lakeside grading dispute and stop‑work: Resident Kevin Chambers, identified himself as the owner of 173 Sunset Drive, described a long dispute about property lines and alleged that a neighbor, referred to as Bonneville, had raised the property grade and altered drainage, moving material toward Chambers’s property. Chambers presented photographs and said the change predates his ownership but had worsened. Commission staff said changes in elevation compared with approved plans should be verified by a professional engineer; members discussed the risk of continued filling making potential issues worse. The commission voted to request Bonneville provide engineering verification of elevations tied to the approved plan and to issue a stop‑work order until the requested information is submitted. The stop‑work motion carried.

Cranberry Meadow Shore Road excavation: Staff reported excavation at a property on Cranberry Meadow Shore Road that breached an earthen berm separating two resource areas, draining a wetland. Inspectors observed that the property owner operated excavation equipment and that no permit had been issued. Commission staff said an enforcement order was issued requiring the owner to file a restoration plan within 30 days; the order was sent by mail and email. Staff said they had not yet received a restoration plan.

Ratified enforcement and emergency actions: The commission ratified an enforcement order related to a separate property matter at 89 Kirby Hill Road. Separately, the commission ratified an emergency certification that allowed immediate well repair at a property whose shallow well had gone dry; staff described the work as an emergency immersion certification filed after the repair and the commission ratified the certification.

Construction runoff at 241 Sturbridge Road: Staff reported stormwater runoff from a large construction site at 241 Sturbridge Road that crossed property lines; the commission said it issued a stop‑work or work‑restriction notice until engineers verify basin capacity and any needed sediment removal or enlargement. Staff said the contractor was actively cleaning up and improving erosion controls while engineers submit information.

Each enforcement action included motions that the commission voted to approve; staff will track deadlines for restoration plans, engineer submittals and completion of DPW repairs.