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Conservation commission allows stabilization at 253 Worcester Road under enforcement order; owner to file notice of intent
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Summary
After hearing inspection updates about sediment entering wetlands at 253 Worcester Road, the commission voted to permit limited slope stabilization under an enforcement order provided the property owner files an after-the-fact notice of intent and coordinates a land-disturbance permit under the stormwater bylaw (Chapter 175).
The Town of Charlton Conservation Commission voted to allow limited stabilization work at 253 Worcester Road while an after-the-fact notice of intent (NOI) is prepared and the applicant completes stormwater documentation.
Staff and consultants reported the site inspection identified sediment accumulation at Wetland Flag 9—described in an inspector's report as about an inch of silt over roughly a 20-square-foot area—and that crews have since repaired sagging silt fence and removed sediment. A consultant said the area had been reseeded with a wetland-tolerant seed mix and that additional erosion controls have been installed down-gradient.
Commission discussion centered on two issues: ensuring the slope is stabilized to avoid additional sediment export to the buffer and confirming the owner will file a notice of intent so the work within the buffer can be reviewed under an order of conditions. Staff (S2) said the owner had disturbed over an acre and therefore must apply for a land-disturbance permit under the town's stormwater management bylaw (Chapter 175). "According to our stormwater management bylaw Chapter 175, it should apply for all land disturbance activities within our jurisdiction that results in a land disturbance of 1 acre or more," staff told the commission.
The property representative requested that, because immediate stabilization was needed at one corner of the site, the commission permit finishing that corner now under the enforcement order while the NOI and the stormwater report are finalized. The commission voted in favor of allowing the stabilization provided the owner files a notice of intent for the buffer alteration and coordinates the land-disturbance permit process.
Staff said the town's inspector will re-inspect the site after the next significant rain event and that the applicant and consultants will coordinate paperwork with planning and stormwater staff. If required filings are not submitted, the commission indicated it will reconvene the matter on May 13.
