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Selectmen approve two Pier buying permits over Harbor Committee objections; attempt to delay fails
Summary
The Stonington Selectmen voted 3–2 to issue two additional buying permits for the town fish Pier, overruling Harbor Committee recommendations. A separate motion to delay the decision for one month failed, prompting public outcry from local buyers and commercial fishermen.
The Town of Stonington Selectmen voted to issue two additional buying permits for the public Pier after a divisive discussion that drew vocal reactions from harbor users.
John Robbins moved to sell two buying permits; the motion was seconded and carried in a 3–2 vote. Opponents, including Harbor Committee members and several commercial buyers, asked the board to return the matter to the Harbor Committee for further study, saying the Pier is nearing capacity and needs ordinance revisions before adding more buyers.
Dick Larrabee Jr., who spoke during public comment, urged the Selectmen to follow the Harbor Committee’s recommendations, saying, “What is the point of having the Harbor Committee anymore if you aren’t going to listen to them.” Several buyers described daytime congestion, limitations on hoists and parking pressure; Bill Damon said the board should consider “how would this affect me…and the boats that sell to me,” emphasizing year‑round operational impacts for buyers and their employees.
After approving the permits, Selectman John Steed moved to stay the decision for one month to allow the Harbor Committee to develop a plan; that motion failed 2–3. The board’s majority said the permits addressed current buyer needs, while dissenting members cited unresolved ordinance revisions, parking and safety concerns.
No ordinance change accompanied the permits. Selectmen and harbor stakeholders agreed to continue work on harbor ordinance revisions and capacity planning at upcoming Harbor Committee meetings.
The immediate outcome: two buying permits were issued and the Harbor Committee’s recommendation was not adopted; follow‑up work on ordinance updates and pier maintenance was scheduled.
The Selectmen’s vote record for the motion to issue permits, as reflected in the meeting minutes, lists yes votes from Brewer, Robbins and Fifield and no votes from Duncan and Steed.
The board did not indicate additional mitigation measures tied to the permits when they voted; the Harbor Committee and town staff said they will continue ordinance and capacity analysis before future permit decisions.
