Letter to the Editor: Towns Unite to Re-open the Ferry

Three Towns Unite to Reopen the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry

We all know all the reasons that the ferry is important to the State and the local economy!

• Health and Safety (Ambulance runs cuts 15 minutes) (emergency evacuation route).
• Relieves congestion from the Arrigoni Bridge construction.
• How many operations in this country have continued since 1769?

If tourism generates 11 billion in revenue for the State, including now 1.1 billion in hotel, gasoline and sales tax revenues, why would you shut down any key component?

After ignoring tourism for years Connecticut achieved the bragging rights to being the only New England state with a net decline in visits to our attractions!

Our Governor correctly argued to bring back our sleeping tourism economy with funds from the private and public sector to help develop a unique identity for our states tourism draw!

State Statute 13a-252 guarantees the continued operation of our Ferry.  Also 13b-31d calls for a public hearing prior to altering or improving a state highway designated as a scenic road.

Come to the Hadlyme Public Hall this Sunday evening at 7:00 to learn how the towns of East Haddam, Lyme and Chester are organizing to use our legal system thru existing state statues to reopen the ferry.

Mark B. Walter

Emmett J. Lyman

Peter T. Govert

Board of Selectmen

Town of East Haddam

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.