Selectmen approve seasonal lease for Harborview Restaurant deck space

The Selectmen voted to approve a lease allowing the Harborview Restaurant’s owner to reserve the front space adjacent to the restaurant deck for seasonal outdoor use if needed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Town Manager Billings told the Selectmen the Harbor View special amusement application had been completed and advertised with no public comments during the notice period. Owner Gail Stinson explained she hopes to keep seating on the deck but sought the town’s permission to formalize a lease for the area in front of the deck in case pandemic conditions require a different arrangement. Board members said they were supportive of allowing the town to approve the lease in flexible increments. Selectman John Steed made the motion to approve the lease space; John Robbins seconded it and the motion carried 4-0.

The board discussed possible seasonal windows, with one Selectman asking whether the lease could run from June through September; Town Manager Billings said the board could authorize whatever incremental period it preferred. The approval in the minutes covers the lease authorization only; implementation details, including exact dates and any fees or permit conditions, were left to staff to finalize.

The action was recorded as part of routine meeting business and is subject to any required municipal permitting steps and a lease document to be prepared by town staff.