Fish Pier platform dispute escalates to lawsuit; selectmen factor legal costs into budget

Disputes over a platform at Stonington’s Fish Pier culminated in legal action and forced the selectmen to factor additional legal costs into the town budget.

Multiple waterfront users and dealers argued at public meetings about whether a platform should remain in place. Some commercial users defended the platform as essential for loading and their daily operations; others and several selectmen said the platform blocked hoist and boat access and limited shared use of the pier. The discussion surfaced repeatedly at selectmen meetings in March and April.

Town Manager Billings told the board the town had been served with a lawsuit from Sunshine Seafood related to recent votes concerning removal of the platform. In budget deliberations the board discussed raising the legal expense line to cover counsel fees; members asked staff for estimates and debated whether alternatives—such as reimbursing the business—were appropriate. Board members noted opportunities for earlier communication between the Harbor Committee and affected users but acknowledged the legal process is now underway.

The dispute has operational as well as financial implications: selectmen discussed how pier space is assigned, whether permits and mooring proximity create navigation hazards, and whether committee minutes and prior Harbor Committee votes were clear. The town manager said staff would work with counsel and report back as legal proceedings and budget approvals proceed.

No final court outcome was reported at the meetings in the transcript; selectmen recorded discussion to increase the budget’s legal line to ensure counsel availability.