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Conservation commission flags public‑safety risk at 45 Southville; owners uncontactable
Summary
Commission staff reported an open, unfinished septic excavation at 45 Southville where contractors stopped work and owners could not be reached; commissioners raised immediate safety concerns and staff said they will attempt to contact owners via registry records and coordinate with the Board of Health.
During the meeting staff described an incomplete septic replacement at 45 Southville where work stopped, contractors were not paid and the property owners cannot be reached. The commission called the exposed excavation a safety hazard because it abuts a sidewalk and has experienced erosion.
A commissioner voiced the concern bluntly: "My concern is is, you know, could some kid fall in and drowned?" Staff said they had not observed standing water at the site but acknowledged erosion and public‑safety risk and that the Board of Health has been involved regarding the septic work. Staff reported conducting title and registry searches and said they believed they had located a new mailing address and would send a letter to try to compel remediation or require the owners to reengage their permit obligations.
Staff explained that because the property owner is ultimately responsible for stabilization, town staff may also leverage mortgage or lender channels if there is an active mortgage and pursue enforcement options if necessary. The commission and staff agreed to continue following the matter into the spring planting and work season if immediate remediation is not completed.
No formal enforcement motion appears to have been made during the meeting; staff described next steps as staff follow‑up (registry search, letter to owner, coordination with Board of Health and possible enforcement pathways).
