A Southbury couple has been ordered to pay nearly $600,000 after cutting down almost 140 trees on town-owned land. A judge found Alan and Teresa Salzman “willfully” cleared the hillside below their $1.1 million home to improve lake views. The couple claimed it was a mistake, blaming hired day laborers, but the court didn’t buy it. Instead, the judge called their testimony “incredible” and said the damage was intentional. The town had sought $8.7 million but was awarded $598,476… representing one of the largest penalties ever assessed under Connecticut’s anti-encroachment law.