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Stonington selectmen confront pier crowding and safety; hoist repairs approved, buyer‑permit fight continues
Summary
After public objections and Harbor Committee recommendations, the Selectmen debated selling additional lobster‑buyer permits for the town pier, approved repairs and safety work on hoist equipment, and accepted a SHIP-funded rebuilding bid to shore up the pier. A contentious vote on buyer permits prompted calls from fishermen to return the issue to the Harbor Committee.
A recurring conflict over use of Stonington’s Fish Pier surfaced repeatedly in Selectmen meetings through late 2020 as residents, harbor users and town officials debated buyer permits, hoist safety repairs and ordinance updates.
On Nov. 9 the board voted to sell two lobster‑buying permits for the pier, prompting an immediate backlash from some harbor users and the Harbor Committee. Audience members objected that additional buyers would worsen congestion, reduce hoist access and complicate parking and skiff permits. “What is the point of having the Harbor Committee anymore if you aren't going to listen to them?” complained Dick Larrabee Jr. during public comment.
Selectmen said safety and capacity were central concerns. The town approved targeted repairs and equipment purchases: the board authorized spending roughly $2,500 for a hydraulic tank reduction to moderate one hoist’s speed and prevent “jumping,” and Harbor Committee and public submissions supported re‑decking floats and limited equipment replacements at costs presented in the committee’s estimates.
In April the Selectmen accepted a low, complete SHIP grant bid to repair sections of the pier; the engineering recommendation led the board to authorize contract award and move forward with procurement for the SHIP‑funded work.
The buyers-permit question produced two formal motions in November. The board first voted to sell two buying permits (vote recorded 3–2) after a motion and discussion; immediately afterward the board considered a motion to delay the decision for a month and refer the question back to the Harbor Committee, but that motion failed (2–3). The dispute prompted audience members to demand the board return the permit decision to the Harbor Committee for further review.
Selectmen and Harbor Committee members said they will continue ordinance work to clarify skiff, parking and buyers’ rules, and to identify how many buyers can safely operate the pier without harming day‑to‑day fishing operations. The board also signaled it would move forward on prioritized mechanical repairs to improve hoist safety while ordinance revisions and Harbor Committee recommendations are finalized.
The Selectmen left unresolved the broader policy question of how many buying permits the pier should allow; they directed staff and Harbor Committee members to return with ordinance language and capacity analysis for a future meeting.
