Dispute over Fish Pier platform spurs lawsuit and legal-budget talks in Stonington
July 02, 2026 | Stonington, Hancock County, Maine
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The Stonington Selectmen spent multiple meetings this spring contending with a long-running dispute over a loading platform at the town Fish Pier that has drawn an outside lawsuit and raised questions about pier access and safety.
Town Manager Billings told the board the town has been served with litigation from Sunshine Seafood challenging Selectmen and Harbor Committee actions related to the platform; the suit prompted discussion about increasing the town’s legal budget. Board members discussed estimates for defense and negotiation costs — participants in the conversation referenced a $25,000–$30,000 planning figure — and asked the town manager to include a legal contingency in the upcoming budget.
The conflict stems from competing uses of limited waterfront space. At an earlier meeting, pier users, dealers and residents described opposite views: dealers and some fishermen said the platform is essential to their work and that vehicle and equipment movements are coordinated, while members of the public and some selectmen said the platform and stored gear obstruct access, create safety concerns and reduce capacity for others.
Selectman John Steed summarized options discussed by the board, including returning the dealer’s deposit and seeking relocation, while emphasizing the town’s responsibility for harbor safety and equitable access. "There’s been plenty of opportunity for communication," Steed said, arguing the town must ensure the facility is safe for all users.
The Selectmen did not record a motion at the March 1 meeting to remove the platform; later budget sessions recorded a direction to increase the legal line and to evaluate options for resolving the dispute. The board’s discussion also referenced outreach efforts to engage with Sunshine Seafood before litigation.
Next steps: the Selectmen are budgeting for legal representation and exploring negotiated resolutions, but no final town action or court outcome was recorded in the transcripts reviewed.
Town Manager Billings told the board the town has been served with litigation from Sunshine Seafood challenging Selectmen and Harbor Committee actions related to the platform; the suit prompted discussion about increasing the town’s legal budget. Board members discussed estimates for defense and negotiation costs — participants in the conversation referenced a $25,000–$30,000 planning figure — and asked the town manager to include a legal contingency in the upcoming budget.
The conflict stems from competing uses of limited waterfront space. At an earlier meeting, pier users, dealers and residents described opposite views: dealers and some fishermen said the platform is essential to their work and that vehicle and equipment movements are coordinated, while members of the public and some selectmen said the platform and stored gear obstruct access, create safety concerns and reduce capacity for others.
Selectman John Steed summarized options discussed by the board, including returning the dealer’s deposit and seeking relocation, while emphasizing the town’s responsibility for harbor safety and equitable access. "There’s been plenty of opportunity for communication," Steed said, arguing the town must ensure the facility is safe for all users.
The Selectmen did not record a motion at the March 1 meeting to remove the platform; later budget sessions recorded a direction to increase the legal line and to evaluate options for resolving the dispute. The board’s discussion also referenced outreach efforts to engage with Sunshine Seafood before litigation.
Next steps: the Selectmen are budgeting for legal representation and exploring negotiated resolutions, but no final town action or court outcome was recorded in the transcripts reviewed.
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