Selectmen approve seasonal lease for Harborview deck after special-amusement hearing

Selectman Donna Brewer and the Stonington Selectmen on April 19 approved a seasonal lease allowing Harborview Restaurant to reserve the front deck area for outdoor seating if public-health conditions require it.

Town Manager Billings opened a public hearing on a Special Amusement application for the Harbor View business and said the application had been published in the paper of record and drew no public comments. Gail Stinson, introduced at the meeting as the new owner of Harborview Restaurant, told the board she wanted the option to lease the space to accommodate outdoor dining if COVID-19 case counts required moving service outside.

The board voted 4-0 on a motion by Selectman John Steed, seconded by Selectman John Robbins, to approve the lease-space request for the season. The board discussed timing windows for leases and indicated it could limit rentals to specified months (for example, June through September) if it chose to do so.

The hearing also touched on an update to the town’s Special Amusement and General Assistance ordinances earlier in April: TM Billings said the town plans to replace a 1998 GA ordinance with a 2020 model ordinance at town meeting. The Selectmen handled routine business at the same meeting, including approving minutes and warrants by recorded motions.

The lease approval is conditional on the terms the Selectmen approved and does not change permanent property rights; further scheduling and any fee or term details will be handled through the town manager’s office.

The Selectmen adjourned after covering other agenda items including kayak access, harbor matters and an executive-session land discussion.