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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Consent judgments issued over Massachusetts complaint alleging land owner dumped solid waste

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BOSTON — Consent judgments recently were entered in the Suffolk Superior Court for the settlement of a complaint by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey against Russell land owners and three companies who allegedly dumped solid waste and altered wetlands. 

According to the attorney general's complaint, Karen and Russell Mehl, owners of a 100-acre parcel, allegedly altered or destroyed over five acres of wetland, a half-mile of stream beds and more than four acres of buffer zone when they cleared and filled the areas with solid waste, which included aluminum oxide and construction debris. 

Also according to Healey's complaint, the Mehls cleared the wetlands and stream banks on their property, which is a residential zoned starting in 2001, filling them with concrete rubble, household and yard waste and other debris. 


“Wetlands are vital natural resources for our residents that protect our drinking water supplies and provide flood control and habitats for our wildlife,” Healey said in a statement.  “They are not dumping grounds. Our office will take action against those who violate the state laws that protect these valuable resources and other laws protecting the public health and the environment.”

The Mehls, along with their landscaping company, Legend Lawn Care, are required to restore the damaged wetlands and stream banks that feed into the Potash Brook and Westfield River, according to the consent judgments. 

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