The Town of Bristol filed a motion to intervene in the application hearing of A&R Marine Wednesday, citing "real property interest at stake," and that users of the ferry shop and park in downtown Bristol.

The property mentioned is the Prudence Island Ferry dock, located on Thames Street. The town recently purchased the lot for $800,000 from former owner Bruce Medley, who also owns and operates Prudence Island Ferry Inc. Mr. Medley is leasing the dock from the Town of Bristol for $1 per year, and expires June 14, 2014. Per the lease, he is also required to maintain the property.

However, should the R.I. Public Utilities Commission’s Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (PUC)  consider A&R Marine's application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN), "Bristol is ready, willing and able to enter a lease for the dock with a viable ferry operator at a commercially reasonable rent," the motion states.

Moreover, while Bristol officials have declined to offer support for either party, the motion states that there is concern over whether ferry service will go un-interrupted.

"Based on the contradictory statements made of the current ferry operator, there is significant doubt as to the continued provision of ferry services between Bristol and Prudence Island after Dec. 1, 2013," the motion states.

A public hearing has been set for Tuesday, Oct. 29. The public is welcome to attend the hearing, which begins at 10 a.m. in Hearing Room A of the PUC building, 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick.

On Sept. 19, A&R Marine — doing business as Prudence & Bay Islands Transport — filed an application for a CPCN, which would permit the company to run a ferry from Prudence Island to Bristol. That service has been offered exclusively by Prudence Island Ferry Inc., owned by Mr. Medley, since the mid-'80s.