Stonington selectmen approve temporary lease for Harborview deck space as COVID contingency

At their April 19 meeting the Stonington selectmen approved a temporary lease for the Harborview Restaurant’s front-space decking to allow expanded outdoor service if local COVID conditions require outdoor-only seating.

Town Manager Billings said the restaurant’s special-amusement application was complete and had been advertised with no public comments received. Gail Stinson, identified in the minutes as the new owner of Harborview Restaurant, said she hopes to retain outdoor seating on the deck but asked for permission to lease the adjacent front space “in case of COVID numbers” rising later in the season. The board agreed it could authorize lease terms by preferred increments; a motion by Selectman John Steed, seconded by John Robbins, approved the lease space for summer months by a 4-0 vote.

The minutes record the selectmen’s decision as permissive and time-limited: board members discussed June through September as possible increments and left final design and enforcement details to staff and the manager. The special-amusement permit itself, the manager said, matched prior approvals with a removed 15‑year sunset clause in the town’s updated ordinance to be acted on at town meeting.

Next steps: the manager will finalize lease paperwork with the new owner and implement any necessary permitting or monitoring over the summer season; the updated General Assistance and Special Amusement ordinance revisions are slated for town‑meeting action.