STONINGTON BOROUGH COUPLE APPEAL OK OF DOG PARK FENCE

Stonington — The borough couple who have sued the town over the Town Dock dog park have now appealed the approval of a plan to erect a fence on the property.

On Sept. 6, the borough Planning and Zoning Commission approved the town’s plan to construct a 90-foot-long, 3-foot, 11-inch high fence after two lengthy nights of public hearings. The fence is designed to decrease the size of the off-leash portion of the park and provide a buffer between neighboring homes.

Laura Ann Gabrysch and Frank Mastrapasqua, who own a home at 13 Front St. that borders the park, said in the appeal that the commission failed to hold a site plan review for the fence which it maintains was required.

In their appeal, they asked that a judge reverse the borough’s approval of the fence, deny the application and order the commission to hold a site plan review.

Gabrysch and Mastrapasqua sued the town last year over the park. They alleged the town has been operating an “illegal dog park,” that it has not received any permits or zoning approvals for the park, that it poses a danger to the public and is a nuisance. Other neighbors have complained about incessant barking and shouting, feces strewn about and harassment by dog park users. The suit is pending in Superior Court.

In April, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to implement a series of recommendations developed by a study committee for the dog park. The changes are designed to alleviate complaints from the park’s neighbors. These included reducing the size of the area where unleashed dogs can roam and installing a fence to create a buffer area between the park and nearby homes.