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Easton conservation panel reclassifies long‑running Morehouse Road case as violation, orders after‑the‑fact permits and remediation
Summary
The Easton Conservation Commission voted May 12 to reclassify a long‑running warning at 570 Morehouse Road to a formal violation, require after‑the‑fact As‑of‑Right and wetland permit applications with a soil‑scientist map and remediation plan, and to collect an outstanding $1,000 fine; the judge ordered the owner to apply and will revisit the case in 60 days.
The Easton Conservation Commission on May 12 reclassified a 2021 warning at 570 Morehouse Road as a violation and set a path for remediation and formal permitting. The action followed a May 2 site walk and a multi‑year record of incomplete submissions and enforcement letters.
Chair Dori Wollen summarized the commission’s finding that the back side of the property showed extensive disturbance and filling in regulated wetland areas. The commission required the property owner, David Harding, to file an after‑the‑fact As‑of‑Right application including a property map showing wetland lines and a soil scientist’s map/report, and to file an after‑the‑fact wetland permit for filling along the north property line. The owner also must submit a remediation plan for the Commission’s approval and pay the outstanding $1,000 fine levied in 2022.
Wetlands Enforcement Officer Jeff Borofsky reported piles of trees and evidence of fill and disturbed wetland vegetation discovered on the site visit. The Commission voted unanimously to forward its records to the court and to notify the town attorney of the enforcement steps taken; according to meeting minutes, the judge ordered Harding to apply for the required permits and directed the court to revisit the case within 60 days.
Harding told the Commission he contends he holds a Connecticut farm designation and that his farming activities are permitted; the Commission noted that a state farm designation does not substitute for local As‑of‑Right determinations or wetland permits when regulated areas are affected. The commission’s decision preserves the violations on the record until all required applications, remediation and payments are complete.
The Commission’s action is procedural and enforcement‑focused: it does not approve any additional land alteration. Next steps recorded in the minutes include submission of the soil‑scientist report, an approved remediation plan, and follow‑up inspections by the WEO; the court will revisit the matter after the ordered filings.
