Commission ratifies enforcement order requiring hand removal of sediment at 18 Main Street

The Townsend Conservation Commission read and ratified an enforcement order addressing a stormwater washout at 18 Main Street that deposited sediment in adjacent wetlands. The corrective order directs regrading of the washout area, hand removal of sediment from wetland areas, installation of additional erosion control wattles, reseeding with the MassDEP slope seed mix, and coordination with the commission before remediation begins.

The order's narrative documents visible sediment migration, damage to a granite barrier at a parking corner and accumulated debris near the wetlands. The chair read passage describing required corrective steps: "Wetland sediment removal should be performed by hand to minimize disturbance to wetland," he read aloud. Commissioners discussed the draft's wording; one commissioner noted that future enforcement language should use mandatory terms such as "shall" when action is required. Following discussion, the commission moved to ratify the enforcement order and approved it on a roll‑call vote.

The commission will notify the property owner and require confirmation that remediation has begun; the order includes instructions to notify the commission before field work starts so remediation methods and limits can be confirmed on site. The commission also discussed follow-up inspections to ensure revegetation and other measures succeed.