FAIRFIELD — A former Conservation Commission chairman has been appointed as the wetlands compliance officer for the Fairfield Metro Center project, a large multi-faceted development that includes the town's third railroad station.

The Inland Wetlands Commission voted last night to appoint Gary Weddle to the post, according to Stanton Lesser, the panel's chairman.

"Everyone on the commission speaks very highly of him," he said.

Weddle served on the commission from 2000 to 2005.

And the town's Building Department has been sent documentation that the developer, Black Rock Realty, has complied with all conditions and can proceed with full construction and site disturbance, First Selectman Kenneth Flatto said today.

The project — a joint effort by the town, state Department of Transportation and Blackrock Realty — in addition to the new rail depot, includes 1,500 rail commuter parking spaces and nearly 1 million square feet of commercial space on 35.5 acres off lower Black Rock Turnpike, across from BJ's Wholesale Club.

The commission also approved Blackrock Realty's appointment of Walter Stapleton as the developer's site monitor.

In addition, the panel appointed the consulting firm of Redniss & Mead, of Stamford, as the town's on-site monitor.

"The difference is now while they [Redniss & Mead] report to us, the developer has to pay them," Lesser said.

Controversy erupted in December when Flatto cut the oversight role of the Conservation

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Department staff on the Metro Center project. In place of the town staff, which Flatto and the developer contended had become too antagonistic, Flatto hired Redniss & Mead to supervise environmental compliance.

"I'm obviously extremely gratified because this affirms and ratifies the decision I made administratively a few months ago," Flatto said of the commission's decision.

The first selectman said the appointments "will help the staff focus on their other priorities," and provides a "more orderly process to allow the project to go forward" while still safeguarding evironmental standards.

"I suggest everybody stop arguing and stop fighting," said local resident Muriel Menhart, who while supporting the transportation aspects of the project, thinks the commercial portion should be junked.

"It should be a major transportation hub," she said, with not just trains, but buses to take cars off the highway and further help the environment. Flatto also said the fact that the developer has been given the go-ahead to move forward with construction "is very good news for the community."