Selectmen weigh legal costs after Fish Pier platform dispute prompts lawsuit

Stonington selectmen discussed a persistent dispute over a loading platform at the town Fish Pier and a lawsuit filed by Sunshine Seafood, and they agreed to raise the town’s legal budget to cover expected costs.

Town Manager Billings told the board the town had been served with a complaint from Sunshine Seafood related to votes by the Harbor Committee and selectmen about removing the platform. She told the board she had not yet received an estimate from the town attorney; board members cited planning figures in the range of about $25,000–$30,000 to cover legal defense and related expenses.

Selectman John Steed, describing the town’s position, said the Selectmen have made efforts to explain the safety and access rationale for their actions and criticized the lack of engagement from the company before the suit. The board discussed options including refunding $11,000 that had been paid by the business as a potential way to resolve the dispute, though no settlement was finalized at the meeting.

The platform dispute arose in repeated public comments at several meetings, where pier users and dealers said the platform is crucial for loading and business operations while other users and some Selectmen said personal property and trailers stored there impede access and create safety issues. At one meeting speakers representing dealers said the platform allows efficient use of hoists and serves dozens of boats.

During budget work the board increased the legal line to accommodate the newly filed litigation. TM Billings told the board the increased legal allocation would be reflected in the upcoming town-meeting warrant and budget worksheets.

The Selectmen did not vote on removing the platform during the meetings summarized in the transcript; the conflict remained unresolved and in litigation. The board noted the matter’s potential effect on reserve balances and urged continued outreach to stakeholders and legal counsel as part of budget planning.

The town’s next procedural steps are to continue coordinating with the attorney and to present any funding articles to voters at town meeting, the Selectmen said.