Sturbridge conservation board cites owner over unpermitted tree removal

Conservation · Meeting of June 16, 2026

Sturbridge conservation board cites a Walker Pond Road owner over unpermitted tree removal. Meeting with only three of five members present, Nick Gravel, Eric Gaspar and a third member, the Sturbridge Conservation Commission voted 3-0 to issue a notice of violation after a permit for five trees turned into removal of eight, and denied a related stump-grinding request pending mitigation. Conservation Agent Lauren said she was "hesitant on authorizing approval for additional work when the mitigation hasn't been done yet." The board separately approved a new lake-access stairway at 134 Lane Nine, with more than 1,700 square feet of invasive-species removal and a $1,500 bond, and voted to abate $618.54 in taxes the town mistakenly billed itself on a Charlton Road parcel it now owns.

Three septic-repair hearings and four continuances rounded out the roughly 90-minute meeting.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,867 words

Source: the Conservation meeting of June 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.