Uxbridge commission flags blocked culvert, asks Castle development to remove sediment
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Summary
Commissioners said stream flow under Crown Shield Avenue has slowed and likely been blocked; they directed staff to draft a letter to the Castle development property manager asking for sediment removal and continued remediation.
The Town of Uxbridge Conservation Commission raised alarm about a loss of flow through a culvert under Crown Shield Avenue and voted to ask the responsible property owner to address sediment and drainage defects that may be degrading a nearby protected stream.
Commissioners said the culvert’s lower inlet appears partially blocked and that water previously feeding a cold-water stream has declined "to almost nonexistent," increasing wetland conditions and reducing the stream channel. Speaker 4 said the flow had declined to the point the sound of rushing water could no longer be heard at the road.
Members tied much of the sediment load to ongoing erosion at a nearby residential development identified in the meeting as the Castle development. Commissioners named Wendy Timmons as the property manager the board has been communicating with and moved that staff draft a letter asking the developer to continue remediation and remove the accumulated silt. The motion passed on a voice vote.
Town staff agreed to double-check field conditions and attempt targeted cleanup where feasible; if the problem requires greater effort, commissioners said they will consider stronger follow-up steps at a future meeting. The commission requested a written update at the next meeting.
