Stratford Wetlands Commission fines developer, releases bond funds after restoration plan

The Stratford Wetlands Commission voted to approve a set of stipulations for Par 1 Development Company related to restoration work at the applicant’s Hawley Lane restaurant, imposing a $1,500 fine, requiring a $2,500 donation to town wetlands and releasing $10,000 of a $20,000 cash bond while reserving $6,000 pending completion of the required work.

Nicholas Owen, representing applicant James Fitzpatrick and Par 1 Development Company, told the commission he had reviewed outstanding items with Commission staff and submitted a wetlands consultant report and said the property had regrown much of the previously disturbed area. “He admits he’s done a lot of mistakes,” Owen said of Fitzpatrick, and he asked the commission to allow staged corrections and a partial bond release so the remaining work and fence installation could be completed.

The commission’s chair (Chair, S2) proposed using $2,500 from the bond as an in‑lieu donation to enhance another town wetland, imposing a $1,500 fine for the permit violations, releasing $10,000 to the applicant to complete the outstanding work and holding $6,000 until the commission is satisfied. Commissioner (S6) moved each element; motions were seconded and approved by voice vote.

Commission members and staff discussed technical measures to protect the adjacent wetland, stressing the need for a hydrodynamic separator (HDS) to treat parking‑lot runoff. “That hydrodynamic separator is critical,” Commissioner (S3) said, urging that the unit be right‑sized for the lot, inspected per manufacturer guidance, pumped by a licensed contractor and logged. The commission agreed the HDS should be installed within three months and that logs and inspections would be required as part of the stipulations.

The commission confirmed the existing permit remains in effect and that, except for creating the roughly 600–650 square‑foot wetland described in the record, the stipulated violations and remaining permits work must be completed within a 12‑month period. Staff (S5) told commissioners that plant survival and monitoring schedules would be set by the commission and that routine reporting would be required.

The package the commission adopted included: a $1,500 fine for the violations; a $2,500 donation to wetlands enhancement in town; release of $10,000 of the applicant’s $20,000 cash bond to pay for required corrective work and fencing; and a $6,000 holdback as assurance of completion. Hydrodynamic separators are to be installed and logged within three months, and the rest of the work must be completed within 12 months. Owen said he would contact Fitzpatrick and the consultant to start scheduling the work immediately.

The commission concluded by noting it will retain the right to review the installed HDS and any future reporting; commissioners thanked members for persistence on stormwater protections and adjourned the meeting.