Stonington Selectmen split on issuing buyer permits for Fish Pier as pier repairs and safety upgrades proceed

Stonington Selectmen returned repeatedly this year to a contentious set of Harbor and Fish Pier issues: whether to sell additional buyer permits, how to manage pier congestion and parking, and what safety repairs the town should fund.

At a meeting in June, a motion to sell two buyer permits for the Pier passed on a 3–2 vote; several audience members and Harbor Committee members protested that the decision should be returned to the Harbor Committee for further review. A subsequent motion to stay that decision for a month failed. Selectmen recorded continuing public concern that adding buyers would worsen congestion and interfere with hoists and skiff operations.

Separately, the Harbor Committee and the Selectmen discussed safety-related repairs. The board approved funding to purchase an additional $2,500 tank recommended by contractor Stanley Leighton to slow a fast-moving hoist (hoist #6) and reduce jumping that had damaged pins. The committee also recommended repairs including float re-decking and hoist post repair; one estimate to re-deck three floats was about $12,500. The Selectmen authorized specific purchases and repairs where bids and quotes were complete.

Selectmen and the Harbor Committee also began working on updated harbor ordinance language to handle capacity, skiff permits, parking and buyer-permit rules. Harbor Committee members said they want clearer permit and capacity limits; some Harbor Committee members and fishermen urged the Selectmen to defer permit decisions until ordinance revisions are completed.

Public comment was robust: lobstermen, buyers and pier users described how added buyers would affect day-to-day operations and employee schedules. Town Manager Billings said the town will pursue practical improvements (hoist modifications, decking repairs and potential camera installations) and will coordinate with the Harbor Committee on ordinance drafting.

Next steps: the Harbor Committee will continue ordinance revisions and the Selectmen will approve specific safety repairs and equipment purchases based on completed quotes.