Selectmen approve two additional Fish Pier buyers permits amid public concern; hoist repairs cleared

The Stonington Selectmen narrowly approved issuing two additional buying permits for the municipal Fish Pier after public comment from harbor users and dealers raised capacity and safety concerns.

At a meeting where harbor use and pier safety drew sustained attention, Selectman John Robbins moved to issue two buyer permits; the board voted 3–2 to approve the motion amid objections from some Harbor Committee members and several commercial fishers who said the pier is congested and that added buyers would exacerbate safety, parking and skiff-access problems. Audience members urged the Selectmen to return the decision to the Harbor Committee for further study; a subsequent motion by John Steed to delay the decision so the Harbor Committee could propose a path forward failed on a 2–3 vote.

Separately, the Selectmen approved immediate equipment spending to address safety concerns at the pier. The board authorized $2,500 to purchase a reduction tank recommended by hoist technician Stanley Leighton for hoist #6, a measure described as intended to reduce abrupt jerking during cargo handling. Harbor Committee members and staff also discussed decks, hoist maintenance and potential future capital needs; staff estimates and contractor quotes were discussed at follow-up meetings.

Public commenters described how pier congestion affects daily operations: lobstermen and buyers said hoists and parking spaces are at a premium and that any additional buyers should be considered only after harbor ordinance updates and infrastructure repairs.

The Selectmen directed staff and the Harbor Committee to continue ordinance review and to bring recommended harbor rule changes back to the board. No ordinance change was adopted at the meetings covered in these minutes.