New owner of Harbor View gets seasonal lease approval for outdoor deck space

At its April 19 meeting the Stonington Selectmen approved a seasonal lease to allow the Harbor View Restaurant to use the front deck area for outdoor seating if COVID-19 case numbers require expanded outdoor service.

Town Manager Billings said the Harbor View’s special amusement application was complete, legally advertised and had drawn no public comments. Gail Stinson, identified in the meeting as the restaurant’s new owner, said she preferred to keep service on the deck but wanted permission to lease the front space if pandemic conditions forced changes. The board voted to allow the lease in the summer months (motion by John Steed, second by John Robbins). The motion passed unanimously as recorded in the minutes.

The board treated the special amusement application and the lease as related items: the public hearing produced no objections, and the board said it would set seasonal parameters for any outside seating or lease terms.

Next steps: the town manager will work with Ms. Stinson on the lease terms and seasonal timing.