Select Board forms working group after residents, staff report problems at East Boston Camps

Town staff told the Select Board on May 26 that the town has stepped up patrols, executed a caretaker contract, removed derelict outbuildings and is scheduling road, tree and building stabilization work at East Boston Camps (Stony Brook Conservation Area).

"We executed the lease extension with TeamWorks and brought on a company that used to do this work before COVID. They have mobilized fast," a town staff member said, summarizing action taken in recent weeks to address public safety and property-condition complaints.

Staff described a program of increased police and animal-control patrols (including ATV and bicycle patrols), an immediate plan to surplus unused boats and equipment, and a proposal to hire a public-land steward (ranger) to provide on-site presence and public education. Officials also described removing multiple uninhabitable outbuildings and arranging prioritized tree work to protect camp access and structures.

Residents who spoke at the meeting urged stronger enforcement and clearer reporting options. Andrea Parisu of the Westford Land Preservation Foundation stressed that any short-term work must comply with conservation restrictions and include the CR holder in planning and review.

In response, the Select Board unanimously authorized the town manager to convene a short-term working group composed of staff (conservation and town offices), representatives of the conservation commission, permanent town building committee, parks and recreation, at least one CR-holder representative, and residents. The group's immediate charge is to identify what is required to stabilize and/or safely remove buildings this year and to scope a larger public visioning and fundraising process (including a possible CPC fall funding request).

The town emphasized that the work will be staged: stabilize what is urgent to protect people and the property this summer, then pursue a broader public process to revisit the camp master plan and long-term use. The board and staff discussed monitoring and low-cost steps to encourage resident reporting (improved signage, possible QR reporting, non-emergency reporting options) and the limits of enforcement when incidents are not witnessed by a responder.

The board also asked that the working group include the conservation restriction holder so any proposed physical changes can be evaluated for CR compliance before public action.

The Select Board vote to authorize the working group was unanimous.