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Commission presses town for enforcement after persistent encampment and materials pile-up near conservation land
Summary
The commission reported a persistent encampment near Emerald Acres and construction materials encroaching on town conservation land under a power-line right-of-way. Members urged stronger town outreach and considered involving the Forest Society or police to secure cleanup and protect easement boundaries.
Commissioners reported continuing problems with unauthorized camping, litter and occasional fires near Emerald Acres, and a separate issue of a construction owner consolidating topsoil and materials near town-owned land under a power-line right-of-way.
The speaker recalled prior police contact that identified a household likely responsible for the encampment and said the site has not been fully cleaned up. The commission agreed it lacks enforcement authority and should rely on town administrators and police to follow up. One member suggested combining a polite town outreach letter with possible escalation by the Forest Society if voluntary compliance fails.
On the materials encroachment issue, members described large piles of topsoil and other materials placed up against the marked town boundary trees and discussed whether the town administrator had issued outreach; they urged a stronger paper trail and for town staff to CC the commission on correspondence so they can monitor progress.
Next steps: the commission asked the town administrator to re-engage with the property owner, create a paper trail of outreach, and report back; members discussed escalating to enforcement or Forest Society involvement if remediation does not occur.
