Community Corner

Bartolomeo, Altobello Say Progress is Being Made at Wadsworth Falls in Middlefield

It's been just over a month since the two state lawmakers pushed for rule changes at the state park following reports of misuse and trash being dumped there.

The below posting is a press release from Lawrence Cook, a spokesman for state Sen. Dante Bartolomeo and Rep. Buddy Altobello.

State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) and local and state officials were praised this evening at a public informational forum for their work on solving the trash and parking problems that plagued Wadsworth Falls State Park for several months this summer.

“I really have to compliment Senator Bartolomeo and Representative (Buddy) Altobello for reacting so swiftly to the situation and rectifying it,” said Middlefield resident Lucy Petrella, who has lived adjacent to the Falls for 26 years and who attended the hour-long forum at the Middlefield Community Center. “It was the speed of light for such a large bureaucracy to come down here and handle the situation in a little town like Middlefield. They really brought the problem under control almost immediately.”

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Petrella was referring to the trash, personal hygiene and parking problems that plagued the Falls beginning around July 4, when rainy weather in Connecticut ended  and hot, humid weather took hold. Attendance swelled at state parks all across Connecticut, including a portion of Wadsworth Falls in Middlefield, where swimming and picnicking are not allowed and there is only parking for 20 vehicles.

Check the Middletown Press story for another look at this case. 

But that didn’t stop residents from Connecticut and other states – including one tour bus – from descending on the Falls, leaving garbage and other filth in their wake. 

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“It was then that we sent an urgent message to Dante and to buddy: Help!” said First Selectman Jon A. Brayshaw. “And they did.”

Complaints from local citizens to town officials and to Sen. Bartolomeo and Rep. Altobello were quickly followed by a meeting with DEEP, State Police and local officials to address the situation with new policies, new signage, and stricter enforcement at the state and local levels. 

“I was very impressed with DEEP’s response, because we were looking for something that was not being done in any other town in Connecticut,” Sen. Bartolomeo said. “But we have a very valuable local resource to protect, and we were determined to protect it. I’m glad the citizens are so happy with the outcome of our efforts.”

Some previous stories on this issue:


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