Stonington ― Residents at a Board of Warden and Burgesses meeting Monday criticized a $400,000 plan to build public restrooms in Wadawanuck Square.

“Part of the magic of the borough is having that green, and I think putting a bathroom on there mars that magic,” said resident Tom Sargent.

Residents expressed concerns over the cost, placement, security and quality of life impacts on borough residents if the “comfort station” is built.

The plan, developed by local architect Julia Leeming, calls for placing the building with two unisex restrooms and baby changing tables, a water bottle filling station, and a maintenance room, behind the rear of the Stonington Free Library at the north end of the square. The design is meant to blend in with the designs of St. Mary Church, the library and the post office across the street.

Residents argued during public comment that the town should rent portable restrooms and then survey users about their satisfaction with them such as their location and times. They also suggested renting higher quality portable units instead of building a comfort station.

“We are a fortunate, beautiful little borough. We can do better than even the highest, best end porta-potty,” Burgess Kevin Bowdler said.

They additionally argued that the cost was too high and Sargent noted there are already bathrooms in restaurants and portable restrooms in the Borough. However, borough businesses, the library and organizations have complained about people who are not patrons, looking to use their bathrooms.

Sargent suggested signs be posted directing the public to Borough Hall for public restrooms or paying merchants to offer their restrooms for public use. There are currently two portable restrooms in the borough, one at Stonington Point and one at the Town Dock. In comparison, downtown Mystic has two restroom buildings to serve residents and tourists.

Residents also raised security concerns, pointing to several recent incidents where individuals threw fireworks into portable restrooms at Stonington Point. One incident resulted in significant damage to a unit and required replacement.

In May, town residents approved a 2023-24 town budget, which included $50,000 toward the construction of the project, which brought the total funding to $166,000 including $50,000 in Borough American Rescue Plan funds and $66,000 raised by the Stonington Village Improvement Association and Stonington Garden Club.

Warden Michael Schefers said the borough was seeking state bonding to fund the construction.

State Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, D-Groton, who sits on the bonding subcommittee, said Tuesday that he submitted a request for $300,000 in bonding for the project in January, and he expressed the significant community need for the project.

Schefers said if bonding was not an option, he would pursue other funding options through the state.

A public presentation on the comfort station will be held August 21 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall

Town Dock basketball court

In addition to the comfort station, the board discussed a Recreation Department plan to put a half-court basketball court near the playground at the Town Dock.

Burgess Amanda Barnes said that local children had gone to a recent department meeting advocating for the court, and that she understood the town would need to raise the funds for it.

“We could look into making a contribution,” said Schefers.

Recreation Administrator Richard Ward said Tuesday that plans for a court are at a very preliminary stage and noted the town wants to be certain the court is a good match for the neighborhood and that all safety concerns are examined thoroughly.

“We are still at the exploratory phase. We’re getting a feel for the different options that we have available in that space,” he said explaining that if space allowed, it could be a full-sized basketball court.

“We’re hoping to get a half at least, and if we do have the space, we would certainly entertain that,” he said.

He said the town would look to fundraising and grants to pay for the court, which he estimated would cost between $30,000 and $40,000.

He said the department would be concentrating on the project this fall, after the busy summer season winds down, and, if planning and fundraising go smoothly, it could be completed next spring.

“Not ready to say we’re definitely putting the shovel in the ground yet, but the initial response has been favorable,” he said.