Stonington — Two days after finding out it had lost a $500,000 state grant to install sidewalks from the high school to downtown Pawcatuck, the town got some good news Wednesday as the state Bond Commission approved $390,000 in funding for improvements in Stonington Harbor.

A total of $255,000 will be used to design and obtain permits for improvements to the south pier of Town Dock that houses the commercial fishing fleet. The south pier of the town fishing dock was repaired in the early 2000s, but that work was not sufficient and now a section of the pier has washed away, causing town officials to be concerned it could become unsafe.

Another $135,000 will be used to study and design the reconstruction of the 1837 breakwater that protects Stonington Harbor. The breakwater had deteriorated over the years, leaving it submerged at high tide and unable to adequately protect the west side of the borough in a large storm.

The grants were part of $4 million in bonding approved for the Small Harbor Improvement Projects Program. Those projects were proposed by the Connecticut Port Authority, whose chairman, Scott Bates, lives in the borough.

The planning and design grants do not require local matching shares. Once the projects are designed, First Selectman Rob Simmons said the town would be applying for construction grants.

"These are complicated projects. It's one step at a time," he said.

Simmons said it is essential to stabilize the south pier so fishermen and lobstermen can bring in their boats and catches safely. He also pointed out the fishing fleet is an "important economic driver" for the town.

As for the reconstructed breakwater, he said it will protect $100 million of property between its location and the Town Dock.

"We're grateful to Scott Bates for his work in recognizing the importance of our request and shepherding these projects through Hartford," he said.

j.wojtas@theday.com