Ferry Hearing Scheduled for Thursday in State Superior Court

A hearing is scheduled at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 4 at State Superior Court in New Britain regarding the application by the town of Lyme and subsequently, Rocky Hill, for an immediate injunction to bar the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) from ceasing the operation of both the Chester-Hadlyme and Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferries.

The discontinuation of the state's ferries were originally part of Governor Malloy's broader plan to close a $1.6 billion gap in his two-year budget if an agreement can not be reached with the unions. At this point, negotiations with the unions are still ongoing. 

The , to be presented in court on Thursday, argues that Malloy’s plan is under at least two separate state laws, one which mandates that the state maintain a ferry service, the other that requires the state to seek input before altering a scenic highway.

Both ferries are extensions of highways that end at the Connecticut River; Route 148 in Hadlyme and Tryon Street in South Glastonbury, both of which are designated as scenic roads. Eliminating the ferries would be considered a “substantial change, a major change,” to both scenic roads.

Additionally, state law also requires towns to provide for adequate public safety. The ferries are used by ambulances, for example, when traffic is backed up on local bridges.

Adding to the concern over the possible closing of the ferries, the DOT issued a on Wednesday, one day before the scheduled hearing, detailing its plans to discontinue both the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury and the Hadlyme-Chester ferry services.

The state statutes in consideration are:

Sec. 13a-252. Certain ferries to be operated by state. Fees. Rocky Hill ferry deemed a state historic structure. (a) The ferries crossing the Connecticut River, known as the Rocky Hill ferry and the Chester and Hadlyme ferry, shall be maintained and operated by the Commissioner of Transportation at the expense of the state. The rates of toll or the charges to be made for travel upon said ferries shall be fixed by the commissioner with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. The commissioner may establish a discounted commuter rate for travel upon said ferries.

      (b) All expense of maintenance, repairs and operation of said ferries shall be paid by the Comptroller on vouchers of the commissioner. The commissioner shall include in his report to the General Assembly a report of the receipts and expenditures incidental to the control and maintenance of said ferries. Said Rocky Hill ferry shall be maintained as a state historic structure and shall be so marked with an appropriate plaque by the commissioner in cooperation with the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.

Sec. 13b-31d. Alteration or improvement of scenic road. Prior to altering or improving a state highway or portion thereof that has been designated a scenic road, pursuant to section 13b-31c, the Commissioner of Transportation shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality or municipalities in which such scenic road is located, a notice describing the alteration or improvement. There shall be a comment period following the public notice during which interested persons may submit written comments.