On Tuesday night, roughly 50 members of the public and administrators packed into the main hall of the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center for a continued meeting regarding new harbor regulations for the Town of Marion.
Considering the over two-and-a-half-hour-long Marion Marine Resource Commission (MRC) meeting the previous night, most in attendance assumed this meeting would also be extensive. It ended after approximately 15 minutes.
The meeting was held for the consideration of five amendments to the proposed revision to the town’s Waterways Regulation. Select Board Chairman Norm Hills began by stating the fifth of five amendments was “crossed off” and would not be considered.
The fifth proposed amendment stated: “5. Amend Subsection D of Section IV to establish a minimum Per Foot Fee for vessels under 25 feet. All vessels less than or equal to 25 feet will be charged $115 + $200 (Harbor Permit + $8 Per Foot Fee for a 25 feet vessel) and boats over 25 feet will be charged $115 + $8 Per Foot Fee.”
With its removal, MRC Chairman Vin Malkoski stated there would be no rate increases for harbor vessels. All other proposed amendments deal with dates and not rate adjustments.
Malkoski added, “we received a lot of input, and it became clear that at this time we need to table any discussion about fees.” The MRC chairman stressed increased income must be generated, and talks of fees would be moved to the new Harbor Management Plan.
Town Administrator Geoff Gorman added the plan would take roughly 18 months to formulate and would be an “open process” relying on the public.
Harbormaster Adam Murphy clarified the payment end-date of May 15 being the deadline for the upcoming invoices said to be ready to send out over the upcoming weeks. Due to date changes, there was worry among the public that penalties would be levied. “We won’t penalize anyone on the back side of this,” he finished.
The meeting concluded with the Select Board unanimously approving the remaining four amendments. One was to modify the date on which Harbor Permit invoices are paid from May 15 to March 15. A second stipulates that all payments shall be postmarked or received by March 15. The third adds a $100 late fee. The fourth stipulates that those who fail to pay within a month of the due date (April 15) will have their permits revoked. Malkoski had emphasized that the need for these changes was to collect money during the current fiscal year instead of payments being dragged into the following year.
The next regular meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, at 6:00 pm in the Marion Town House Conference Room.
Marion Select Board
By Sam Bishop