Stonington — Residents will be asked to vote Saturday on ordinance revisions to the Stonington Harbor Management plan, the most significant of which is establishing a "slow, no-wake" zone off the north side of Sandy Point.

While there is a sign now at Sandy Point that tells boats to proceed slowly when they are within 100 feet of the beach under state law, Stonington Harbor Management Commission Chairman Jay Spalding said that does not cover the much larger area that would benefit from a no-wake zone.

The channel that leads from Stonington Point east into Watch Hill Harbor goes along the northern section of Sandy Point, which is popular location for boaters to go ashore in the summer. The channel and the adjacent waters are busy with boats ranging from large yachts, motorboats and sailboat to smaller craft such as jet skis, kayaks and paddleboards, and even swimmers.

He said the commission worked with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to delineate the boundaries of the no-wake zone to keep it as small as possible while still ensuring the safety of those on the water. The proposed no-wake zone stretches along the western third of the northern shore of Sandy Point and north across the water to the southern tip of Elihu Island. Spalding said the town would need to get permits for the no-wake zone buoys. 

He said creation of the no-wake zone will give police an enforcement tool. Violations come with fines of up to $100.  

Spalding said the idea of a no-wake zone has been widely supported. "People are very much in favor of it," he said.

While he said most boaters do slow down in the area, the town does not have a way to slow down those who do not. 

Spalding said the commission has spent the past three years working on the no-wake zone and other minor "housekeeping" issues with the harbor plan, such as citing revisions to state law that have been implemented since the harbor plan was adopted in 2013. There is no proposed change to mooring fees.

Saturday's town meeting is slated to begin at 10 a.m. on Webex. After the four issues are discussed by residents, there will be a recess in the meeting. That will give residents an opportunity to drive to Town Hall. When they pull up to the tents that will be set up, they will have to show identification to ensure they are a registered voter. They will then be given a ballot to fill out and place in a drop box as they exit. Voters will not have to leave their vehicles.

A detailed description of how the meeting will be conducted and the items being voted on can be found on the calendar section of the town website at bit.ly/stownmeet31321.

j.wojtas@theday.com