Easton conservation commission upholds revocation of Rock House Road permit, presses for remediation across multiple wetlands violations

The Town of Easton Conservation Commission on April 28, 2026 reviewed a series of enforcement matters and confirmed the commission’s prior revocation of a subdivision permit tied to tree‑clearing near wetlands.

At issue is a stumping and tree‑removal case on Rock House Road involving Francsica Hodges and Stephon Wynter. After site walks and expert review, the commission determined trees had been removed within regulated wetland areas and moved on Oct. 28, 2025 to revoke Permit #24‑686 for the proposed lot line division and construction of two homes under Inland/Wetlands regulation 11.8. The revocation was approved by unanimous voice vote. The commission said the violation remains and owners must provide a new planting/remediation plan prepared by a qualified soil scientist and post a cash bond to secure implementation.

The commission’s discussion cited divergent accounts from experts and the enforcement officer: soil scientist James McManus "asserted there were no trees cut in the wetlands," while Wetlands Enforcement Officer Jeff Borofsky told commissioners that his inspections indicated trees had been removed in wetlands. The commission directed the applicants to secure a new planting plan and a report from a qualified soil scientist; it also requested documentation from the logging contractor detailing the number and sizes of trees removed.

Commissioners reviewed other long‑running violations and ordered follow‑up or evidence of remediation. Those cases include:

- A warning and violation involving David Harding (V#21‑592), where the commission has repeatedly requested an As‑of‑Right determination and site plan; staff and counsel have intermittently pursued legal steps. The commission scheduled a special site walk for May 2, 2026 and asked Mr. Harding to submit the requested maps so staff can complete an inspection.

- A cross‑jurisdictional cease‑and‑desist against Wesley Silva and Sandra Teixeira (V#23‑644) for work on a property that straddles Easton and Trumbull. Chair Dori Wollen said Trumbull officials had measured boundaries and remediation steps were ongoing; Ms. Teixeira reported she was working with a contractor and would notify the commission when the work is completed. The commission requested written confirmation from Trumbull of remediation.

- Ongoing follow‑up at 76 Northwood Drive (Carrena Management) where staff documented activity in the regulated area. The commission previously conditioned lifting a violation on planting native buffers; later inspections prompted a further violation and the commission asked for confirmation when plantings are completed.

- Cases involving 11 Eastwood Lane (V#24‑677), where GIS review and site visits identified a watercourse and prompted requests for formal applications and remediation plans; 68 Sport Hill Parkway (V#24‑672); and a dumping complaint adjacent to town open space at 680 North Park Avenue (V#24‑690).

For each matter, commissioners stressed the need for clear, timely documentation — site plans, surveys or signed reports from soil scientists — before remediation work proceeds, and they asked staff to continue coordinating with town counsel and, when appropriate, neighboring jurisdictions.

The commission also instructed the Wetlands Enforcement Officer to monitor compliance and report back at future meetings. The commission concluded the enforcement‑focused portion of the agenda by reaffirming that violations remain in effect until required remediation and documentation are submitted and verified by staff.

The commission’s next regular meeting was listed on the minutes; enforcement case follow‑ups and scheduled site walks are expected to appear on future agendas.