Bond's Dock: Still Open 24 Hours, Every Day

The weather is supposed to warm up a little this weekend into next week, which means that more people likely will be visiting Stratford's waterside attractions including Bond's Dock.

But late-night partiers at the dock beware: there could be more enforcement against visitors "disturbing the peace" at the popular gathering spot this season, especially late at night.

This, after the Waterfront Harbor Management Commission formally asked police recently to step up patrols and overall enforcement at the popular dock situatated on the Housatonic River.

The commission, through its Chairman Bill Rock, has asked the police to step up its patrols at the popular spot for fishermen, and sight-seers -- plus a late night crowd that can be loud at times, annoying neighbors, commissioners agreed.

Rock recently copied Police Chief John Buturla the minutes from a recent meeting where the hours of Bond's Dock and rowdy behavior by some late-night visitors was discussed.

The issue came to head last fall and earlier this year when some residents called for restricted hours at the dock, a suggestion that was rebuffed by commissioners who in fact reinforced the 24/7 open dock policy with new signs that they requested be specially reinforced.

The good news as far as the commission is concerned is that the new signs are still there.

That couldn't be said last fall when persons still unknown tampered with signs at the dock and installed unauthorized signs saying the dock had restricted hours.

At its March meeting, members were told that the three new signs had been installed, with tap-welded screws. Two signs posted at the dock said in no uncertain language that the dock is open 24/7, although that doesn't mean visitors have the right to disturb the peace. A third sign was put up at the adjacent park that does close at 10 p.m.

Rock told commissioners that he had also invited the chief to attend a commission meeting to reinforce the commission's desire to restrict those who would disturb the peace late at night.

It's part our 'due diligence," Rock said. Members agreed that there should be more patrols in that area, admitting that there are people drinking on the back part of dock and playing loud music at all hours.

It's not a problem restricted to just Bond's Dock, they also agreed, but one that occurs wherever people gather and there is no one around to watch them.