Oakham Conservation Commission Issues Enforcement Order Against Zoval Properties for Wetland Violations

OAKHAM — April 7, 2026 — Oakham Conservation Commission votes unanimously to enforce wetland violations against Zoval Properties. The commission approved two actions at its April 7 meeting: a formal enforcement order requiring Zoval Properties to submit a Notice of Intent and a comprehensive remediation plan by April 30, and authorization for a self-filed Request for Determination of Applicability to establish that the northeastern portion of the property contains jurisdictional wetland resource areas that were omitted from prior determinations. Consultant Arthur Allen, who prepared a wetland delineation study for the site with GEI Consultants, is expected to access the property to compile a specific inventory of violations to support the commission's independent investigation. Brian Benito of Ryland Energy, the identified point of contact for the non-responsive Zoval Properties, has told DEP the disturbance on the property amounts to little more than "a couple wheelbarrows full of stuff" — a characterization commissioners appeared to dispute. DEP and DCR are separately planning a joint site visit this month; DEP's Andrea Briggs told the commission the agencies' investigation will remain independent of the town's.