Save the Ferries: Public Responds to DOT Notice

There will be a public meeting of volunteers on Tuesday, August 9th at the Hadlyme Public Hall at 7 pm to organize the community’s response to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) notice of its intention to discontinue the ferry service.

The DOT notice, issued August 3rd, states that "ferry service will no longer be provided at the terminus of scenic road Route 160 at the Connecticut River in Glastonbury" and the "discontinuance would alter a portion of Route 148 that has been designated as a scenic road."

Both ferries are extensions of highways that end at the Connecticut River and are designated as scenic roads. As such, eliminating the ferries would be considered an alteration and subject to public notice.

Under state law, alterations to a scenic road require that "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."

The statute also states that "there shall be a comment period following the public notice during which interested persons may submit written comments."

The notice from the DOT, persuant to the statute, includes information on submitting written comments to the DOT. Comments, it states, "must be received by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Public Transportation no later than September 5, 2011."

The purpose of the meeting on Tuesday is to coordinate volunteer efforts in getting written comments submitted to the DOT. A sample letter from the Hadlyme Public Hall Association's website is printed below for those interested in submitting a comment.

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

From the Hadlyme Public Hall:

The DOT has published a notice of its Intent to Discontinue Rocky Hill – Glastonbury Ferry Service and Chester – Hadlyme Ferry Service.  The notice provides an opportunity for us to comment on the proposal and to send our comments no later than September 5, 2011.  Time is of the essence! Please pass this information on to whoever else you feel may wish to share their point of view on Saving the CT Ferries.

We are providing suggested language for the email that you may cut and paste into the body of your email. 

The email should be addressed to:

James.Redeker@ct.gov

With a cc: to

Philip.Scarrozzo@ct.gov

The subject line of the email must read:  

COMMENT ON INTENT TO CLOSE FERRY SERVICE

Dear Commissioner Redeker:

I am writing regarding the recently published DOT Notice of Alteration of Scenic Roads Routes 148 and 160.

I strongly urge you to continue the Connecticut River Ferry Service at both Rocky Hill-Glastonbury and Chester-Hadlyme.

I believe that continuation of the ferry service is a necessary economic development and tourism imperative, a goal that Governor Malloy identified in his budget.  These ferries are a significant component of the CT River Valley’s tourism attractions in that they are both part of well-travelled scenic roads and serve as a portal to local tourist destinations and the many restaurants, galleries and shops that rely on the income from the tourists.  In addition, the ferry service is a necessity, not a luxury, to provide customers for CT businesses as well as alternative transportation routes.    

Respectfully,