Breaking the Law?

Local and state officials met with concerned citizens in a standing-room only meeting at the Hadlyme Hall Sunday night to discuss the ramifications of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposed budget cuts. Malloy’s proposal includes cutting both the Hadlyme-Chester and Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferry services to help balance the state budget, cuts some argue may be against the law.

Town and state officials, along with a group of concerned citizens, are looking into two state statutes. Statute 13a-252 guarantees the continued operation of the ferries and 13b-31d calls for a public hearing prior to altering or improving a state highway designated as a scenic road. Route 148 and the Connecticut River both fall under the scenic highway designation.

Shutting down the ferry services, as proposed in Gov. Malloy's plan, may violate these statutes.  

"It's not about what 'makes sense'," said East Haddam First Selectman Mark Walter. "We have to fight this battle another way; we won't win at a numbers game."

In addition to local officials, stae Sen. Eileen Daily, D-Westbrook, and Rep. Phil Miller, D-Essex, joined supporters from East Haddam, Haddam, Chester, Lyme, Rocky Hill and Glastonbury. (see video: Miller's speech)

Dave Scampoli, of the CT River Ferry Preservation Association, was in attendance, along with other board members, to help rally support to preserve the historically significant state ferries.

"There are so many other places to cut the budget," he said, "the ferry (Rocky Hill-Glastonbury) is a connection back to 1655, before the United States, before the formation of Connecticut, before the Declaration of Independence."

Fellow board members Mark Packard and Penny Prusnak agreed.

"My grandmother learned to swim off the back of this ferry (Rocky Hill-Glastonbury)," Packard shared, "my grandfather tied a rope around her and tossed her off the back of the boat!"

Town of Lyme selectmen will meet today with a lawyer to determine if any legal action can be taken.

The state statutes in consideration are listed below.

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.