Stonington — In what was originally designed to be an effort to settle a lawsuit over the unofficial dog park at the Town Dock, the Board of Selectmen appointed 13 members to a committee Wednesday that will develop a series of recommendations for the property.

Last month First Selectman Rob Simmons said Laura Ann Gabrysch and Frank Mastrapasqua, who own a Front Street home that borders the park, had agreed to put on hold their lawsuit against the town over the park after meeting with Simmons to discuss his plan to establish the so-called Sewer Treatment Expansion Parcel Ad Hoc Committee.

The couple alleges that the town has been operating an “illegal dog park,” that it has not received any permits or zoning approvals for the park, that it poses a danger to the public and is a nuisance.

On Wednesday, though, selectmen received a letter from the couple’s attorney, Michael Bonnano of New London, saying that despite submitting a comprehensive list of items and questions for the committee to consider, Simmons had not included most of the items in the charge to the committee.

In addition, Bonnano criticized Simmons for advertising that the town was looking for residents to serve on the committee instead of selectmen just going ahead and appointing members.

In addition, he criticized Simmons for recommending that members be registered voters in town, which Bonnano said rules out people who own second homes in the borough, including his clients.

But Simmons had said the couple could serve on the committee and was ready to appoint them until Bonnano said they are no longer interested in serving.

The couple had tried to work out a solution with former First Selectman Ed Haberek and George Crouse with no success and had criticized the town for not setting up a committee to make recommendations.

Simmons said Wednesday his idea was to get the committee started.

Simmons said the issue dates back 15 years and in the interest of fairness to homeowners and users of the dog park and Town Dock, it’s time to come up with a resolution.

The committee is comprised of 10 members and four alternates, who were interviewed before Wednesday night’s selectmen’s meeting.

Appointed were Simmons, former First Selectman Don Maranell, police Chief J. Darren Stewart, Recreation Commission Chairman Mike Crowley, borough Burgess Howard Park III, Waterfront Commission Chairman Sandy Grimes, Planning and Zoning Commission member Dave Rathbun, Water Pollution Control Authority member Lynn Young, dog owners and park users Don Kluberdanz and Gloria Gorby, dog park neighbors Angela Gora and Dorotea Abele and resident Robin Hennessey.

Appointed as alternates were Karen Roy, Paul Grassel and Robert Maurice. The fourth spot will be filled at later date.

The mission given to the committee includes determining the suitability of the site for a dog park, and if it is suitable the committee should come up with proposed rules, improvements and enforcement.

If it is not suitable, the committee should consider another location in town.

The committee shall visit other dog parks and review their rules and report its findings by April 1.

The committee is also being asked to recommend one of five alternatives or rank them in order of preference.

They include no change, locking the property so it cannot be used, lock the property and identify another location for a dog park, lock the gates in the open position but not allow dogs off leash or establish the property as an off-leash dog park and obtain all necessary approvals.

Rules, improvements and details about who should oversee compliance with park rules should be identified for any chosen alternatives.

Simmons added members could consider other alternatives if they wish.

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