Tempers Flare at Waterfront Commission Meeting

Tempers flared at Wednesday’s Waterfront Harbor Management Commission meeting at Town Hall when a Bond’s Dock area resident lashed out at a committee member, who responded back angrily soon afterward.

The feud centers on what town entity has the right to legally set the hours at Bond’s Dock and whether it should remain a 24-hour accessible waterside dock.

A petition signed by several dozen or more dock area residents supported the notion that the dock should have fixed hours similar to town parks. 

Meanwhile, the Commission and the Town Attorney refuted that notion and a contention that the Waterfront Harbor Management Commission did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

During a public speaking session, Attorney Kurt M. Ahlberg spoke on behalf of neighbors in the area who are in favor of restricting the hours at Bonds Dock to curb nighttime disturbances including drinking, loud music and some poor behavior. “I did not receive the town attorney’s opinion [on legal jurisdiction] although I requested it two months ago – and I’m a little upset over that,” Alhberg said. “But I respectfully disagree with the town attorney.

“Signs that closed Bond’s Dock were there for years,” Ahlberg said. "They were there in 1991 when a neighbor there bought his house and frankly I don’t care who put them up,” a reference to another battle between the commission and neighbors over illegal signs posted at Bond’s Dock. 

“ … they’ve [the signs] been there for years and years and years … and the town code says all town parks have to been open 7 a.m. to 10 pm unless said otherwise. 

“ … and if, in fact, those signs were in existence, then they should have been taken down back then, not in 2010. The town code requires hours of 7 to 10 p.m. and you can’t change that” he told commissioners. 

Ahlberg added that he was unable to find enabling legislation “that says you can change them. Where are they? You exceeded your authority, sad to say. You don’t have the authority to do this.” 

Following Att. Ahlberg, Shore Road resident Tom Lucas said simply, “I’m opposed. Evenings bring nothing but trouble.” 

Next to speak was Bond’s Dock area resident Laura Harrigan who blasted the commission and particularly member Edward Scinto. 

Harrigan harranged members, “This commission came to its conclusion based on a pack of lies told by Mr. Scinto … and when I told Mr. Rock this he hung up on me.” Bill Rock is the Waterfront Committee chairman. 

“Mr. Scinto removed the sign … and Mr. Scinto told this commission it was open 24 hours,” she said.  “Birdseye Ramp is not posted open 24 hours a day,” adding that it can’t be open “because the outhouses are closed.” 

Why is Bond’s Dock so popular with a nighttime crowd? “Because Birdseye ramp has a camera, so the alcoholics prefer Bond’s Dock.” 

Harrigan continued,  “Two days ago we had the fortune to run into a police officer in 1965 whose job was to get people out of Bond’s Dock at sunset.” 

And instead of considering the wishes of the residents of the area, “this commission takes into consideration some imaginary fishermen,” a comment that riled several hobby fishermen attending in the Council Chambers.

“It’s not fair,” she said. “You have to take into consideration the neighborhood.” 

24-Hour Open Advocates Have Say 

Next up was Michael Donofrio, who described himself as a lifelong resident who has always fished at Bond’s Dock, “and I don’t consider myself imaginary. 

“ … my understanding that dock has always been open 24 hours a day. I don’t want to see it closed or fisherman held back and prevented from fishing. 

“While I understand that people are drinking and playing loud music – that is a police matter and not a concern of the people fishing on the dock.”

Donofrio’s son, also Michael, told members, “I work during the day. I like to fish at Bond’s Dock but I have to fish at night. I love that place. I caught my biggest striper there but since Laura moved in – that’s when all the trouble started,” adding, “I don’t drink. I pay my taxes. I own two houses and I like to fish and she wants to take it away.” 

Will Nuzzo of Housatonic Ave. added, “I grew up next door to Bond’s Dock. I fished there as a kid. We always knew it was open 24 hours. We don’t want to see it taken away – and I am not imaginary either.” 

It was then the turn of the Waterfront Commission chairman, Rock, to weigh in. 

Addressing those opposed to the 24-hour open designation, Rock said, “we did send for the town attorney’s opinion” and it clearly delineates responsibility for setting policies, including hours for Bond’s Dock, in the jurisdiction of the Waterfront Harbor Management Commission. 

In response to Attorney Ahlberg, Rock said, “The Town Council has no authority over Bond’s Dock.” 

There was no regulation passed at the Oct. 2010 meeting and the reason why the the commission removed signs last year was that they “were illegal and therefore no public hearing was needed.” 

The signs were not posted by the town Stratford, Rock continued,  “accordingly the signs were unauthorized,” so at the Oct. 2010 meeting, “we voted to remove the signs … we reiterated unlimited hours" but " the vote was to remove illegal signs,” with the foreknowledge of the town attorney.

Rock recalled that at the November meeting “people spoke both opposed and in favor of restricting hour” and that night, signs were stolen, which were valued at about $800.” He reiterated, “ … the commission never changed hours … Bond’s Dock still remains open 24 hours” and the adjacent park to the dock is not overseen by the Waterfront Harbor Management Commission therefore its hours are not comparable. 

It was then Scinto’s turn to defend his honor.

“I take great exception to being called a liar. If I’m a liar then the police chief, public works and 20 people at dock are liars. Bond’s Dock has never closed at sunset. I’ve been going there my whole life, and you’re not even a property owner,” he railed down on Harrigan. 

“I researched this extensively. And in regard to the illegal signs taken down, they were posted on AT&T signs and I spoke to an AT&T foreman who said they should be taken down.” 

“Excuse me … you’re a liar,” Harrigan blurted out, but held her tongue further at Att. Ahlberg’s gentle prodding. 

After some further reminiscing by commission members, Scinto took to the microphone again. 

“I apologize to the audience for losing my temper. But I do have to agree with neighborhood residents because if there are problems in the neighborhood then the police should be notified. 

“But you don’t want to restrict the dock. If there’s a drunk driving on Barnum Avenue, you don’t close down the road. You stop the drunk. 

“We have a great police department and I’ve been going there my whole life. People do fish at all hours … and anyone should be free to bring your kids at sunset or sunup or whenever. No one wants to see drinking at the dock … we all need to enjoy it.”

At which Gallagher found a point she could agree on, “You’re right, I want a security camera up.”

At the end of the discussion, Chairman Rock asked commission members if anyone had a motion to offer, and hearing none, he moved the commission on to another agenda item.

Case closed?