Selectmen approve Harborview special amusement application and temporary lease for outdoor seating

Stonington Selectmen approved a Special Amusement application for the Harbor View establishment and authorized a temporary lease for outdoor space that owner Gail Stinson may use for deck seating.

Town Manager Billings told the board the application was complete and had been published in the local legal notice with no public comment. At the April 19 meeting the Selectmen approved minutes and warrants and then considered a request from Gail Stinson to reserve the space in front of the restaurant deck so she can expand outdoor seating if COVID‑19 conditions require it.

The owner said she preferred to keep patrons on the deck when possible but wanted the lease in place as a contingency. The board discussed seasonal term options (TM noted the board could set increments) and voted to approve the lease and the application (motion by John Steed; second by John Robbins; recorded vote 4–0). The minutes record that the board was generally supportive.

The action preserves the town’s process for special‑amusement approvals while allowing the restaurant flexibility to respond to pandemic restrictions. The Selectmen did not condition the lease on specific operational details in the minutes; any implementation details (insurance, exact dates) would be handled under the TM’s administration.