Sports
Are You Ready For Boating Season? East Lyme May Not Be.
Boats are going back into the water but the Niantic River still lacks required speed limit signs to let boaters know how fast they can go.
It's time to put the boats back in the water and at Old Lyme Marina, the crane has been working overtime.
East Lyme isn't quite ready for prime time yet, though. At last week's Board of Selectmen meeting, a resident pointed out that between the Amtrak construction project, which necessitated the removal of a number of signs, and Superstorm Sandy, there are currently no speed limit signs posted on the Niantic River.
By state statute, signs denoting the speed limit for boats (which is 6 miles per hour in the Niantic River) are required. Currently, there are none. East Lyme's Harbor Commission, however, is aware of the problem and has funds set aside and plans in the works to replace all the signage. It will be Amtrak's responsibility to replace the speed limit sign that it removed.
The resident also suggested that the town consider installing a floating dingy dock to give the many yacht-owners who weigh anchor in the Niantic River during the summer a way to come ashore and enjoy the amenities the town has to offer. The town, he said, might consider asking one of the marinas to install a dock and perhaps posting a sign to let people know what's on and where to go.
Sounds like a good suggestion to me. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
