Conservation Commission Orders Full Wetland Permits for Two Violations, Sets October Deadline

EAST LONGMEADOW -- July 8, 2026, East Longmeadow Conservation Commission tightens enforcement on two wetland violations, issues new tree-clearing order. The commission voted unanimously Wednesday to amend enforcement orders against a Summers Road stream alteration and a Peas Road tree-clearing site, escalating both after new evidence of willful noncompliance. On the Summers Road matter, EO-2025-01, staff disclosed that the property owner had been explicitly told in a 2019 subdivision proceeding that any permanent stream crossing required permitting; the owner built one anyway in 2025, then "feigned ignorance," according to staff. The amended order requires the owner to hire a wetland consultant within two weeks and complete a full Notice of Intent by October 1. At 371 Peas Road, members Jason Gumper and Megan Logan described a site visit revealing at least 20 large trees felled in what appears to be a wetland depression, with some clearing continuing after a cease-and-desist was issued in January; the owner now has 45 days to complete professional wetland delineations. The commission also expanded the Happy Acres Subdivision enforcement order to cover lots 11 through 18, each carrying a 30-day deadline to repair silt fencing in buffer zones.