Belchertown Commission Continues Jabish Canal Culvert Hearing, Demands Written Long-Term Commitment

Conservation · Meeting of July 20, 2026

Belchertown Conservation Commission continues Jabish Canal overflow hearing to September, demanding a written commitment from Springfield Water and Sewer. The commission voted unanimously to continue the Notice of Intent for DEP 104-1135 at 321 Mill Valley Road after engineers from Apex Companies presented a proposal to install two 24-inch reinforced concrete overflow pipes beneath a maintenance road as an interim fix for a partially collapsed 18-inch culvert that has backed up the adjacent wetland and periodically flooded the road providing access to the Jabish Canal, which feeds Ludlow Reservoir. Commissioners accepted that the bypass — estimated by the applicant to potentially cost far less than the full culvert replacement, which engineers characterized as approaching one million dollars — would work hydraulically, but argued that once flood pressure on the road is relieved, "there's nothing to motivate you to finish the project." The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program returned a review letter the same evening conditioning any approval on a wood turtle management plan.

The commission approved five other applications unanimously, including a revised accessory dwelling unit plan for Lake Drive and two negative determinations of applicability, and met two prospective associate members it intends to recommend to the Select Board for appointment.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,071 words

Source: the Conservation meeting of July 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.