City Official Cited For Inland Wetlands Violation In Milford

MILFORD, CT — A Milford official and property owner acknowledged beginning work near wetlands without a permit after city officials discovered grading and filling activity at 674 Naugatuck Ave., prompting the Inland Wetlands Agency to prepare enforcement action.

During its June 3 meeting, Inland Wetlands Officer MaryRose Palumbo told commissioners that a site inspection found extensive regrading and filling had already occurred on the property, where an application is pending to expand a parking lot and install stormwater improvements within 100 feet of wetlands.

Palumbo said the property was in violation because work had been performed within the regulated area before wetlands approval was granted. She also reported that erosion controls visible at the site did not appear to be fully or properly installed.

Photos shown to commissioners depicted cleared areas, stockpiled material and sections of silt fencing that Palumbo said were improperly installed or incomplete. She warned that stormwater could carry sediment into nearby wetlands if additional protections were not put in place.

Palumbo said she had instructed representatives of the property owner, 674 Naugatuck Ave. LLC, to properly install erosion controls and indicated she would issue a cease-and-desist order. The proposed enforcement action would require restoration measures, including stabilizing disturbed areas, installing erosion controls and preventing sediment from reaching the wetlands.

Chris Saley, the city's Public Works director and a partner in the ownership group, apologized to the commission and acknowledged that work had been performed without a permit.

He said the owners were responding to parking issues tied to a prospective tenant and maintained they were not attempting to damage wetlands. Saley also disputed that fill had been brought onto the site, saying the material consisted of reclaimed asphalt from the existing parking area.

Commission members emphasized that wetlands regulations require permits before any work begins near protected resources. Several commissioners expressed concern about forecasted rain and urged the applicant to install additional erosion controls immediately.

The commission directed staff to schedule a site walk, seek additional documentation from the applicant and hold a special meeting to address the violation.

View the full Inland Wetlands Agency meeting by clicking here.