Middlefield to Issue Letters Over Wadsworth Falls Parking

Town officials are looking to stem any further complaints over Wadsworth Falls where overcrowding and vandalism earlier this summer led state officials to enact new park rules.

On Monday night, Middlefield selectmen asked the town's zoning enforcement officer to issue letters to two property owners who began charging visitors of the popular waterfall on Cherry Hill Road to park their vehicles nearby.

While overcrowding at the park appears to have been resolved as a result of last month's action by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, selectmen agreed the letters were necessary as a preventative measure ahead of the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend.

"I think they'd take it pretty seriously and not let it happen again," said selectman Edward Bailey.

Town Planner Geoffrey Colegrove said both property owners — the Rockfall Garage gas station and a residential property on Main Street — were in violation of the town's zoning regulations by allowing parking on the properties beyond what's approved on their individual site plans.

"It wouldn't hurt to have a letter sent to the property owners indicating that they're in violation of the zoning regulations," said Colegrove, "and indicate that if it continues it will result in a cease and desist order."

First selectman Jon Brayshaw gave credit to state officials for their work in resolving the issues at the "Big Falls" quickly.