Easthampton Conservation Commission Ratifies Duplex Stop-Work Order, Continues Medical Office Hearing

EASTHAMPTON — July 20, 2026 — Easthampton's Conservation Commission voted unanimously to ratify a stop-work enforcement order against a duplex project at 389 College Highway and continued a Notice of Intent hearing for a proposed 7,200-square-foot medical office building at 38 College Highway to August 3. Conservation Agent George told the commission the 389 College Highway contractor had resumed work without the required notification after a multi-month stoppage and had failed to submit a quarterly consultant report due in April; he said fines would follow if violations continued. Engineer Philippe Cravo of Arlo Beck Associates presented stormwater and wetlands plans for the College Highway medical office project, which sits within the Manhan River's riparian zone and cannot close until the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program completes its review. The commission also granted a unanimous carport permit to homeowner Carl Proknoll at 63 East Street with erosion-control conditions, and heard extended public comment from a resident identified as Jeff, who said he intends to appeal the commission's 2-1 July 6 approval of a solar energy project and called for a legal opinion on whether a non-functioning Zoom link at that meeting violated the state Open Meeting Law.