Meeting called to save the ferries

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) -  Residents were out in full force at a meeting in Glastonbury this evening to try to find a way to keep the ferry open.

The futures of the Glastonbury - Rocky Hill ferry and the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry are in jeopardy after the state workers who keep them running got layoff notices.

Steven Lee, a Ferry Captain, said, " It's the oldest continuously operating ferry in the country. We take a lot of pride in that."

In mid-July, the Department of Transportation workers who run the nation's oldest operating ferry received the news that not only would they be out of jobs, but that the ferry was also nearing it's last run.

Since 1769, generations of Connecticut natives have crossed the Connecticut River on the Rocky Hill Ferry.

"It's just something that is unique, that I do everyday," says Diane Darcy, ferry boat worker.

The Historic ship was once used to transport Revolutionary War supplies across the river. However, it could shut down in August because of budget cuts.

The Governor has been outspoken in his efforts to promote tourism in Connecticut, and many see the ferry as an iconic spot on the Connecticut map.

"Seventy, maybe eighty percent of what we do is tourism. It's a gorgeous day here, we've got one car from Florida right here, this is a destination. It is hard for me to understand when the Governor and other politicians are talking about tourism and then, in turn, shut the boat down," says John Marshall, Lead Captain.

The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry also will be shutting down.

After the announcement was made, area Selectmen also join in the fight to keep the ferries afloat.

They were quick to point out that the ferries also serves an important purpose, reducing travel time to for ambulances going from the Hadlyme side to Middlesex Memorial Hospital in Middletown, as well as helping locals avoid I-95 traffic and help local commerce.

This battle could be over if the union leaders approve the new concession deal currently on the table.

If approved, under the different union rules, it would rescind the nearly 2,000 layoff notices that the Malloy administration has issued in the past two weeks.

He also says that all closings, including the ferries, will be avoided.

More than 100 people attended the meeting, designed to come up with ideas on how to save the ferries.

If the deal does not pass, then the ferries will close in August.