Ellington Cracks Down On Private Property Party Spot

ELLINGTON, CT — Town officials said ongoing trespassing and vandalism on private property off Green Road had already led to stepped-up enforcement before another gathering was reportedly being promoted this week.

During the April 13 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Administrator Matthew Reed said the town recently met with Green Road property owners, Connecticut State Police and Eversource because of ongoing problems in the area. He said state police then increased enforcement there.

Reed told selectmen that during a recent weekend, officials found pallets on the property, which he described as a common sign that “somebody is getting ready to have a fire and a party.” He said police then found the pallets, located kids in the area and discovered an abandoned vehicle that had been flipped over.

According to Reed, two juveniles were arrested, the vehicle was removed and the situation was cleared before anyone was hurt. He said there was no party, no injury and no fire. He also said local police loaded the pallets into a pickup truck and removed them from the site because the dumping and littering were happening on private property.

Reed then told the board that, as of the meeting Monday night, a social media post had warned of another gathering at the same location. He said police would again be “out there in force” and that anyone caught violating the law would face action.

First Selectman Laurie Burstein added that the activity has been tearing up land owned by property owners and has involved fires, saying the town does not want anyone getting hurt. Reed said the town’s ultimate goal is to protect private property and keep people safe.

The discussion came during the Board of Selectmen’s April 13 regular meeting, where the Green Road issue was raised as part of discussion.