Stonington approves $35,000 resiliency planning fee; causeway study gets $200,000 in federal support

The Selectmen approved a $35,000 consulting fee to fund an economic resiliency plan that will examine downtown development, fisheries impacts and climate‑related risks. Town Manager Billings told the board that the consultant work is intended to help the town identify grants, projects and strategies to support the local economy as fisheries and seasonal commerce change.

Billings also reported that the town’s conversations with state and federal representatives had resulted in a roughly $200,000 congressional allocation to fund a causeway replacement planning study, which will support longer-term infrastructure planning. The board approved the consultant fee (motion passed 5-0 at the Aug. 1 meeting) and encouraged coordination between the resiliency planning work and MDOT causeway/bridge studies.

Selectmen cited supply-chain delays affecting equipment and emphasized the need to prioritize dredging, harbor maintenance and downtown support strategies so grant applications and matching funds can be sought in a timely manner.