Stonington — The attorney who represents the borough couple who have sued the town over the Town Dock dog park, said Wednesday his clients were forced into the action because First Selectman George Crouse did not respond to his many requests to sit down and work out solution.

“I’ve never had this much trouble getting a meeting with anyone,” said attorney Michael Bonnano. “There’s no question his failure to meet or even respond to us led them to the lawsuit.”

In an Oct. 14 letter to town attorney Jeffrey Londregan just before the suit was filed, Bonnano laid out the many unsuccessful efforts he had made to resolve the issue. But now he said his clients had to proceed with a lawsuit.

“Apparently there is no other way to get the attention of the First Selectman, so now we and the Town will both incur substantial legal expenses and avoidable confrontation. That Mr. Crouse would let these innumerable opportunities to address this matter in good faith over the last year completely pass him by is simply stunning.”

Crouse, who is personally named in the suit, disputed the allegations saying he had agreed to meet many times through Londregan. Crouse referred additional comment to Londregan who could not be reached Wednesday.

Laura Ann Gabrysch and Frank Mastrapasqua, who own a neighboring home at 13 Front St. allege that the “illegal dog park” poses a danger to the public, interferes with the “quiet enjoyment” of their property as well as the right of other residents to use their properties.

They say the town has not obtained required borough zoning approval for the park, refused to enforce the borough leash law and failed to prevent dog waste from polluting adjacent Stonington Harbor.

Bonnano said his clients tried to work out a solution with former First Selectmen Ed Haberek but held off on any legal action after Haberek resigned last December so they could discuss the issue with Crouse.

He said he emailed Crouse several times in January and in February Crouse responded saying he would only meet with the attorneys involved. Bonnano agreed and he said the meeting was very productive.

Crouse agreed the town would erect a fence around the park to keep the dogs from going on the property.

In addition, he said Crouse agreed to set up a committee of residents from different perspectives that would come up with rules for the park.

The fence was not erected until June, when Bonnano said his clients paid for the $8,000 cost of the fence.

Bonnano said he then asked Londregan about the committee Crouse said would be formed.

Crouse then gave the Waterfront Commission the task of coming up with rules for the park.

Last month the commission approved four rules: dogs should be leashed upon entering and exiting the park, patrons should clean up after their dogs and keep the area clean, should be courteous to everyone and should park in designated areas only.

“We were told we were going to be part of the process,” Bonnano said.

Since last summer Bonnano said he has emailed Crouse and Londregan several times a month to set up a meeting but got nowhere.

Last month, after Bonnano filed a notice to sue the town, he said Crouse agreed to meet.

When Bonnano said he wanted a promise of action, the town said it would only meet if there were no preconditions. Bonnano said he agreed in hopes of avoiding a lawsuit.

After 10 days went by with no response from the town, he said Londregan told him Crouse would only meet with Gabrysch and Mastrapasqua. No attorneys could be present. Bonnano said at this late date he did not want to agree to such a concession.

“He kept changing the rules,” Bonnano said about Crouse.

Bonnano said he and his clients are still willing to talk to the town.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas