Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure‑dispute topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Long‑running dispute over Fish Pier platform leads to lawsuit and budget bump for legal fees
Summary
A dispute over a platform at Stonington’s Fish Pier escalated into litigation: Sunshine Seafood has sued the town over pier‑access decisions, and the Selectmen discussed increasing the legal budget (estimates cited around $25K–$30K) to respond; town leaders continue to weigh access, safety, and longstanding user practices.
Town officials in Stonington discussed a months‑long dispute over a wooden platform at the Fish Pier that multiple boat dealers and users said helps loading operations while others contended it blocks access. The disagreement has prompted a lawsuit filed by Sunshine Seafood, and the town manager reported the Selectmen had been served.
Town Manager Billings told the board the town received a legal complaint from Sunshine Seafood and that the budget for legal services should be increased to respond; reported estimates mentioned in the meeting ranged from about $25,000 to $30,000. Selectman John Steed summarized legal options and said one possible mitigation might be to refund the company’s $11,000 and seek other resolutions, though no settlement was recorded at the meeting.
At earlier public testimony, multiple waterfront users described competing needs: some dealers said the platform is essential for their operations and that they can and do move items to accommodate other users; others said the platform and associated personal property (trailers, totes) interferes with loading access and hoist operations. The Harbor Committee earlier voted regarding pier management, but contestation persisted between committee minutes and on‑the‑ground practices.
The Selectmen said they had increased the legal line in the draft budget to account for expected legal costs and discussed continuing outreach with lawyers and the Harbor Committee. TM Billings said staff would report cost estimates and next steps; the board did not record a settlement or final directive at this meeting.
Next steps: the town will continue to work with counsel on defense and possible negotiation; the Selectmen may consider options such as mediation, returning funds, or other remedies before any binding decision is finalized by vote or at town meeting.
