Commission lifts cease‑and‑desist for 500 Peters Lane while requiring restoration plan after unpermitted tree cutting

The Stratford Inland Wetlands Commission voted April 12 to cancel a cease‑and‑desist against work at 500 Peters Lane after the property’s new managing member presented paperwork to transfer a wetlands permit and promised a restoration plan.

Nicholas Owen told the commission the new owner, managing member Peter Prezioso, had not realized the existing wetlands permit required an administrative transfer and that work began before the transfer was completed. Owen said erosion and sediment controls (silt fence and a tracking pad) were installed during the field visit with staff and that an engineer has been retained to draft a restoration plan to bring to the commission next month.

Staff told the commission that town trees were cut along Peters Lane and that the count was either 163 or 164 town trees (transcript variably reported). Commissioners discussed the extent of the removal, the size of the lots (about an acre per lot in conservative topography), whether previous permit holders had properly transferred approvals, and whether fines should be imposed. The commission noted statutory authority to levy fines (up to a stated maximum of $1,000 per day) and that the tree warden may pursue separate civil valuation for the trees.

After a motion to cancel the cease‑and‑desist (motion recorded in the transcript; second by "Doctor Chez"), the commission voted in favor. Town counsel said the administrative permit transfer would be handled by the town attorney’s office and staff said they would perform a site inspection of erosion and sediment controls. Commissioners agreed to require a remediation plan and to review any proposed replacement, payment or other remedy when the applicant returns next month rather than imposing an immediate fine.

The commission directed staff to coordinate a site inspection and follow up with the town attorney and the tree warden on any statutory remedies if needed. The item will return to the commission with a written restoration plan and documentation of sedimentation/erosion controls for review.