It is fitting that at his last meeting as first selectman of Stonington, Rob Simmons was able to endorse a plan that could finally pave the way for getting the Mystic River Boathouse Park developed, ending a lengthy delay.

Granted, it is not a plan that Simmons is thrilled about, but after a long career in politics he well knows you sometimes must accept what you don’t want to get what you need.

Simmons, a Republican, did a service for Stonington when he ran for first selectman in 2015 and provided stability and integrity, following a first selectman who was lacking on both counts. It can’t be often that a former congressman runs for municipal office, as Simmons did.

He did not seek a third term.

During his first of two terms Simmons endorsed the worthwhile public-private project to turn unused property next to the Mystic Seaport into a public park, with a boathouse and launch area to be utilized by the Stonington High School’s successful rowing teams and by rowing enthusiasts.

In 2016, taxpayers approved $2.2 million to develop the park, while rowing supporters committed to raising $2.5 million for a boathouse.

Things did not go well.

The original contemporary design for the boathouse was criticized as not in keeping with its architectural surroundings and was abandoned.

Then the State Historic Preservation Office raised objections to demolishing a house on the site that once was used as guest quarters by the Rossie Velvet Mill across the street. Simmons contended the house lost its historic value when it was damaged in the 1938 hurricane and substantially rebuilt. But the preservation office, the experts on such matters, disagreed.

The agreement approved by the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday will move the historic building 90 feet to make way for the boathouse and restore it to historical standards. It will have restrooms and changing areas on the first floor and offices upstairs. The boathouse, meanwhile, has been redesigned to resemble a New England-style barn. A passage connecting the two structures will serve as a trophy room for the rowing program.

It now falls to the new administration, headed by First Selectwoman Danielle Chesebrough, to try to stretch the available dollars to complete the park and to get the necessary local land use and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection approvals, and for the private supporters to find the funds for the boathouse.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.