An undetermined amount of dirt being removed from the rear of 56 Kline Road in Southwick has some neighbors concerned. Town officials said the property owners are attempting to remove the material to make pasture land for horses but a cease-and-desist order has been issued by the town for lack of permits. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – A resident of Kline Road was issued a second cease and desist order last week after neighbors complained large trucks were removing sand from the property.
Homeowners at 45 and 53 Kline Road, Inga Washington and Vail Turner, addressed the Southwick Planning Board during the public comment portion of its regular meeting. They said after the original cease and desist order was issued by Building Inspector Denis Gaido, the homeowner continued to haul truckloads of sand from the property at 56 Kline Road after regular business hours and on weekends.
Donald and Susan Corey are listed at that address.
They asked the board what course of action could be taken.
Planning Board Chairman Douglas Moglin said after hours there was one option.
“Call the cops,” he said.
Town Planner Alan Slessler said this week that because there are no inspectors after regular business hours, the police department should be called.
Slessler said while the police would not have grounds to arrest anyone, they could enforce the order and alert the inspector the next business day.
Slessler the matter was brought to the board’s attention in August after Gaido observed “illegal gravel removal going on” at 56 Kline Road.
He told them to cease and desist and said they should seek special permits from the Planning Board.
“They have not responded to the Planning Board at all,” said Slessler of the property owners, adding that “they have a right to seed the area that was disturbed.”
It is Slessler’s understanding that the land is being cleared for pastures, which is allowed. However, because gravel is being removed, the owners need to obtain two permits.
“It has to be done so it doesn’t divert water to the neighbors,” Slessler said. “They need to present a stormwater plan to the Planning Board.”
The homeowners also need a permit to establish hours of operation.
