Bond Commission approves significant funding
Stonington
State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, in a press release, called the investment in the Stonington town dock "especially important," as the funds approved Thursday for the project will be matched by federal funds.
The ongoing project involves reinforcing and extending the town fishing dock, which is nearly two centuries old and home to the last commercial fishing fleet in the state. The pier supports more than 100 fishermen, two seafood processing companies and supplies restaurants throughout southern New England.
Somers said the improvements will "enhance safety, accessibility, and usability for residents, businesses, visitors and the local fishing fleet."
In 2022, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, secured $900,000 in federal funds for maintenance work and upgrades to the dock. The North Pier at the dock was in need of serious repair due to age, sea level rise, erosion and wave damage. At the time, one hundred pilings, as well as the framing system beneath the dock, were in various stages of damage.
After going out to bid twice for the project, which came back over $2 million both times, the town scaled back the project and began work earlier this year. Former Stonington First Selectwoman Danielle Chesebrough had said in October the $900,000 secured by Courtney should cover rehabilitation of approximately 40%, or 142 feet, of the North Pier’s main structure, including replacing 65 pilings, along with the addition of stairs, a series of ladders and a catwalk system.
Selectman Bill Middleton said Thursday that work done so far has included driving piles and reinforcing the concrete dock itself.
He added that the $500,000, and the matching funds, will be used in addition to the $900,000 grant from 2022 and the project will still require the $400,000 contingency approved by the Board of Finance in October.
He said the town has "the ability to sort of scale the project to available funds."
"This investment reflects the state's commitment to preserving working waterfronts that are central to our economy, our food system and our maritime heritage," State Rep. Aundré Bumgardner, D-Groton, said in a statement. "With federal funds already in place and construction underway, today's vote helps keep this project moving forward and ensures we continue protecting the infrastructure our fishing fleet depends on."
Bumgardner said the funding will allow the completion of the full 344-foot North Pier.
"Separate funding will be required to address the adjoining seawall," he added.