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Resident raises public‑health concerns over long‑term encampment on Mount Jefferson
Summary
A resident told the Board of Health that a person has been living on Mount Jefferson conservation land for months without facilities, raising sanitation and safety concerns; the board said it will gather evidence, involve police, building and conservation officials, and explore bylaw amendments or coordinated enforcement.
A resident identified as Joe told the Town of Hubbardston Board of Health that someone has been living on conservation land at Mount Jefferson and nearby hayfields for about nine months, creating potential sanitation and safety problems.
“I have pictures. I have dates of him up there,” Joe said, urging the board to investigate. He described the lack of working toilets or bathroom facilities and said people visit the site; he also reported seeing the person urinate in the woods and expressed concern about open fires and waste disposal.
Board members and staff said the situation is complicated by overlapping ownership and rules: some parcels are locally conserved, others carry Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) restrictions (including watershed protections near the Wachusett Reservoir). The chair said the board will approach the matter as a health and safety issue and coordinate with multiple town departments and regional partners.
“We’re going to approach that such,” the chair said, noting the Board would involve the building inspector, police, the fire chief, the town administrator and legal counsel to determine enforcement options and whether a bylaw amendment is needed to clarify that “no overnight camping” covers living in vehicles or otherwise occupying conservation land.
Officials asked Joe to email photos and dates so staff can open a file and document the complaint. The chair instructed staff to engage the conservation commission, DCR (rangers), and legal counsel as appropriate and said the board will follow up; no formal enforcement action or vote occurred during the meeting.
The board emphasized the likely need for a multi‑agency response: conservation experts to confirm land ownership and applicable restrictions, police for enforcement options, building officials for inspection concerns, and legal counsel to draft any necessary bylaw language. The chair also referenced regional partners that other towns had used to navigate similar encampment issues.
Next steps: the resident will provide photographic evidence and dates, the board will open an investigative file, and staff will seek input from the building inspector, police chief, fire chief and legal counsel before recommending further action.
