Conservation panel approves Kestrel trail redesign
Conservation · Meeting of September 28, 2026
Belchertown Conservation Commission approves Kestrel Land Trust's South Gulf Road trail redesign and five other permit actions. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the revised plan, which hardens an eroding stream crossing with cobbles, adds a stepping-stone crossing and sets a minimum 10-foot access gate, after Kestrel's engineer, identified as Bucky, said the project had grown "almost an ecological restoration" by shrinking wetland disturbance to roughly five to ten square feet. The board also approved bridge replacements for the Lake Wallace Woods trail, issued negative determinations for a Ware Road septic replacement and a Boardman Street house lot, closed out a Sabin Street compliance case, paid $190.41 in bills, and ratified an enforcement order against a Bardwell Street owner who built a house without filing a required follow-up permit.
"He's already built the building. It's already in violation," one commissioner said. A second, unresolved Boardman Street clear-cutting case was referred for erosion control and a stormwater permit filing.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,146 words
Source: the Conservation meeting of September 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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