August 24th, 2011

Summary of the Rocky Hill DOT Informational Meeting:

• Ferry service is funded through June, 2013
• DOT said they rescinded the Intent to Discontinue the Ferry public notice and that their website had been updated.
• DOT recognizes that the ferry service does not have to be revenue-neutral and is looking for creative ideas that are sustainable.
• The Glastonbury-Rocky Hill (G-RH) barge and tugboat are from 1955 and will need to be replaced in the next few years at a cost of $4.5 – 5 million.
• DOT hasn’t submitted the capital expense for the replacements and expects to do so in the next budget cycle.
• DOT has requested an increase of staff for G-RH so that it will no longer be closed when someone calls in sick.

Save the CT River Ferries - Mugs and T-Shirts

• We have some in stock, if you would like one, email us at hadlymehall@gmail.com

August 22nd, 2011

From the Day:

News from the governor's office was clear Friday: The Connecticut River ferries are safe from closure.

The state Department of Transportation had the same message. The eight employees of the Chester-Hadlyme and Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferries will keep their jobs on the ferries.
 

For the rest of the article click the image.

Both Connecticut River Ferries will continue running for the rest of the season.  The DOT has cancelled the closure of the ferries, but the meetings will still proceed.   Please plan to attend!  If you attend, remember to bring a written statement of your comments.

The first meeting – on the Rocky Hill/Glastonbury ferry.
Monday August 22nd, at 6 p.m. in Rocky Hill Town Hall, 175 Old Main St. 

The second meeting Chester-Hadlyme ferry
Thursday August 25th, at 6 p.m. in the Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty St.

August 19th, 2011

Drivers, Ferry Patrons Relieved, Though Some Still Wary 
courant.com
 

"Despite news of the agreement, those working to save the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury and Chester-Hadlyme ferries said it is only a first step. While the ferries continue to operate, organizers of an effort to keep the boats plying the Connecticut River said they are looking for long-term solutions.

State Department of Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker had issued layoff notices to the crews that operate both the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury and Chester-Hadlyme ferries. Service was due to end Aug. 25 and it is still unclear what will happen next, although funding to keep the ferries operating was in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's original budget. The DOT will be holding several informational hearings next week to discuss the status of the ferries. DOT spokesman Kevin Nursick said Thursday afternoon that no decisions have been made on the ferry status."

For the whole article

It is very important that you contact the DOT using the contact details in our below posts or come to one of the two meetings.  We need to get as many people to the meetings as possible so they understand how vital this is to our community.  If you come to the meeting, make sure to bring a written statement to give to the DOT.

Meeting are this upcoming Monday and Thursday:

*See below posts for contact info if you can't make it to the meeting.

August 12th, 2011

August 7th, 2011

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,

August 6th, 2011

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is soliciting public comment & response to its proposal to close the Connecticut River ferries at Chester/Hadlyme and Rocky Hill/Glastonbury.

Volunteers

If you can’t attend the meeting on Tuesday but would like to volunteer, please send an email to hadlymehall@gmail.com no later than Wednesday 10 August. Please include in the email your phone number and preferred return email address

August 3rd, 2011

Hundreds Sign Letters to the Governor to Save the Ferries

Market goers did more than just pick up fresh food at the Chester Sunday Farmers' Market this week.

Click the link below to read the rest of the article.

August 2nd, 2011

The hearing on Lyme's court injunction on barring the DOT from closing the Chester-Hadlyme & Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferries will be heard in Superior Court in New Britain this Thursday (10 am Aug 4 - 20 Franklin Square, New Britain).

While the appearance is at 10am, it is not garrenteed that the case will be argued or decided at that time. 

The hearing is open to the public, and a number of those supporting continued operation of the ferries are planning to attend to watch the proceedings. 

Below is a map of where the Superior Court in New Britain is located, just a few blocks from exit 25 off Route 9.

July 23rd, 2011

Lyme files a lawsuit against the State of Connecticut to save the ferries

Closing the Chester-Hadlyme and Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferries as part of state budget-cutting would violate two state laws, the town argued in a lawsuit filed in New Britain Superior Court Friday.

The lawsuit seeks to suspend the layoffs of the eight state employees who operate the historic ferries. The layoffs are scheduled to take effect Aug. 25, but the ferries are expected to stop running by Aug. 11, to give the workers time to mothball the vessels before their last day.

In a statement emailed Friday afternoon, First Selectman Ralph Eno said the East Haddam Board of Selectmen had already voted to join the lawsuit, and that Rocky Hill is expected to do the same. A hearing sponsored by a state legislator is scheduled for Monday in Glastonbury, Eno said.

For the full article click the image below.

For information on the new deal that occured late Friday evening

July 23rd, 2011

Volunteers Needed

The Save the Ferries Committee needs volunteers to "work" the traffic lines on both sides of the river handing out "Call Now!" cards urging ferry passengers to call state officials to rescind the lay-off notices given to the ferry employees and cancel the scheduled closing of the ferries.

This is a chance to do your part to "Save the Ferries."

To sign up call or e-mail:

Wendy Miller
wendydowmiller@comcast.net
860-478-2495

or

Susannah Griffin
zannadoo@live.com
860-891-8128

For the latest news head on over to Facebook:

Hadlyme Public Hall

&

Save the Ferries

July 22nd, 2011

Founded in 1769, the ferry and historic landmark currently runs April-November from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on weekdays. It also runs on weekends, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

It may never run again after August 15^th unless a decision to close it down is reversed.  Last Friday, the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferry, the oldest in the state and the nation, didn’t run due to staffing issues. As for permanently ceasing operations, it seems that the nightmare may well become reality for both the first and the second oldest running ferries in the state of Connecticut.

Meanwhile, citizen groups and local officials are being formed to take Save the Ferry to the next level.

July 21st, 2011

July 18th, 2011

July 17th, 2011

The towns of Lyme, Chester and East Haddam have agreed to explore whether to seek a court injunction to bar the state Department of Transportation (DOT) from closing the Connecticut River ferries.

The inter-town agreement was announced by Lyme First Selectman Ralph Eno and East Haddam First Selectman Mark Walter Sunday evening at a “Save the Ferries” meeting at Hadlyme Public Hall.

About 125 local supporters of the Chester-Hadlyme and Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferries cheered the announcement and went on to work on plans to galvanize public opinion to convince the state to keep the ferries running.

DOT has scheduled the closing of the ferries for next month. All eight employees of both ferries received termination notices from DOT last week as part of Gov. Malloy’s lay-off of more than 6,000 employees in order to balance the state budget after pubic employee unions rejected a revised contract designed to save the state $1.6 billion.

Eno explained that the DOT will be violating two state laws by following through on its plans to shutter the ferry service.

The first is a section of the state Transportation Law that requires DOT to “maintain and operate” both of the ferries, he said.

The second is the section of the Transportation Law regarding sections of the state highways officially designated as “scenic roadways.” The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry is part of Rt. 148, and the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry is part of Rt. 160. The routes of both ferries are incorporated into sections of both highways designated by the state DOT as “scenic roads.”

Eno pointed out that Transportation Law prohibits any alternation of a state highway designated as a “scenic road” without publication of notice of such changes and providing a period for the public to “comment” on the proposed changes.

Eno and Walter said their plan is to team up with other towns – Chester, Glastonbury and Rocky Hill – to seek a court order barring the DOT from closing the ferries based on these two state statutes.

Eno said the Lyme Board of Selectmen will meet on Monday (July 18) with the town attorney to decide whether to seek such a court order.

Both Sen. Eileen Daily and Rep. Philip Miller told the ferry supporters that they hope the state employee unions will reconsider their rejection of the contract changes so that the Governor can rescind the lay-off notices. Both urged the ferry supporters to continue their efforts to convince the Malloy administration to maintain ferry service.

Those who would like to help can contact the organizers at hadlymehall@gmail.com or call Humphrey Tyler at 518-253-4844 .

July 15th, 2011

By now you've probably heard the news that the ferry employees got termination notices today, and the DOT plans to shut down both the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury and the Chester-Hadlyme ferries by mid August.

There will be an emergency Save the Ferries meeting at 7 PM on this Sunday, July 17, at Hadlyme Public Hall to organize one final effort to prevent elimination of the ferry service.

It is open to the public.

If you want the ferries to continue running, this is our last chance to assure continued service, so please come and join with your neighbors from both sides of the river to convince Gov. Malloy that the ferries are an essential resource for Connecticut.

Please tell your friends and family.

July 11th, 2011

Since our Save the Ferry meeting at Hadlyme Hall on June 28, we have accomplished the following:

1. The Boards of Selectmen in both Chester & Lyme have passed resolutions urging the governor and legislature to provide funding for continued services.
   
   
2. Some 800 postcards to ferry supporters were mailed urging calls to area state representatives and senators.
   
   
3.  More than 30 Chester businesses have signed a petition in support of continued ferry service.

We are operating under the assumption that no changes in ferry operation will occur until or unless ferry workers are issued lay-off notices. That could happen any time between now and August 31.

Therefore, we are continuing to galvanize public support and are asking for everyone to participate in a “Get the Support Out” effort, with an emphasis on business support.

We hope to call another meeting of the Lobbying Group and Task Force in the next couple of weeks as more information becomes available.

June 30th, 2011

Click here for the contact information for your State Representatives

SAVE THE FERRY SERVICE TALKING POINTS

TELL YOUR ELECTED STATE REPRESENTATIVES THE FOLLOWING:

1.  Fully fund operating and capital expenses for both the Rocky Hill and Hadlyme ferries as provided for in the budget originally adopted by the Legislature.   

2.  Do NOT permit the repeal of Section 13a-252 of the State Transportation law, which requires the state to operate both ferries. 

WHY THE FERRIES ARE IMPORTANT

1.  Health and Safety

Discontinuation of the ferry service will have a negative impact on resident health and safety, as emergency vehicles and residents routinely use these ferries for medical emergencies.

2.  Transportation

Both Rocky Hill-Glastonbury and Chester-Hadlyme ferry crossings are part of the transportation network in the state, with Chester being part of State Route 148 and Rocky Hill part of State Route 160.

The ferry service on the Connecticut River is an important component of the overall flow of traffic in the region, given the unreliability of the East Haddam Swing Bridge, severe traffic congestion on Interstate 95 and the recent start of disruptive repair work on the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown (scheduled to last until November 2012).  

Area residents routinely use the ferries to commute and consider them a necessary component of area transportation choices.

3.  Economy:  Tourism and Local Businesses

The ferries are used by both residents and non-residents to visit such tourism attractions as Gillette Castle, state parks, river cruises, casinos, museums, theaters, etc. 

In addition, local area businesses depend on ferry traffic for their livelihood, particularly in the Chester area.

Efforts at the state level to enhance tourism will be thwarted by the elimination of the ferries and the traffic they encourage in support of tourism and local business.

4.  Historical Significance

Rocky Hill is the oldest continuously-run ferry in the US and Chester is the second oldest continuously run ferry in CT, having started operating in 1769.

Both ferries are encompassed within a state and federally recognized Historic District and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

There is a Scenic Road designation for the Chester Ferry, which includes the ferry and severely limits changes to the architecture and surrounding landscape.

Continued protection of these historic places must include the ferries and their role as part of these scenic roads.

June 26th, 2011

This is our last chance to Save the Ferries.

The proposed revision of state employee union contracts to reduce the projected two-year $1.6 billion state deficit has been rejected by the union members, and as result, Gov Malloy has called the legislature back into session next Thursday (June 30) to enact spending reductions that will balance the budget.

It seems virtually assured that elimination of the Chester-Hadlyme and Rock Hill ferries will be on the Governor's list of budget cuts which he will ask the legislature to approve.

There will be a public meeting of all those who want to galvanize public support to assure continued ferry service on Tuesday June 28 at 7:30 PM at Hadlyme Public Hall.

Please come and bring any friends and neighbors who want to help in this effort.

The Hadlyme Public Hall Association has authorized the expenditure of $1,000 to cover any expenses associated with this effort.

Meeting will begin at 7:30pm on June 28th at the Hadlyme Public Hall.

February 16th, 2011

Good News!  Funding for the Hadlyme Chester Ferry is in the Governor's budget, but work isn't done yet.  We must make sure that the funding stays in the budget when it gets passed by the legislature.

February 7th, 2011

The Hadlyme Public Hall Association is spearheading the community effort to save the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry from being eliminated by the state in its effort to balance Connecticut’s budget.

The Association has created two groups to work with the state to keep the ferry running.

The first is a citizens Save the Ferry Action Committee to lobby the state legislature to continue funding for the next year so that there will be no disruption in ferry service this year when the new state budget goes into effect on July 1.

The second is a Connecticut Ferry Service Task Force made up of town and state officials, as well as members of the community, local businesses and representatives of local chamber of commerce, that is looking for ways to operate and fund the ferry service on a long-term basis so that it doesn’t run a deficit.