The other shoe in Jamie McIntosh’s recent resignation as Mattapoisett’s harbormaster has dropped on Marion with the news that its 19-year harbormaster, Isaac Perry, will replace McIntosh effective Monday, June 26.
Perry was presented with his badges framed by Assistant Harbormaster Dave Wilson to a standing ovation from the Marion Resources Commission and attendees during its public meeting on Monday night at the Police Station.
“It gives me a chance to get out of the office a little bit because I am the only full-time person over there,” said Perry, whose job in Marion had become absorbed with administrative duties associated with the crowded harbor’s many complications. “For me, it’s the more enjoyable parts of the job, not stuck behind the desk. It’s just a different harbor. Marion’s is a very densely packed harbor. There’s a lot of problems that come with that.”
Citing Perry’s professionalism, MRC Chairman Vin Malkoski told Perry, “We truly appreciate all you’ve done for us.”
“I’m not that far, but I’m not coming to any more meetings,” joked Perry, who said he told Town Administrator Geoff Gorman he is available to assist Marion in its transition. “These guys all have my number. Don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Select Board member Randy Parker echoed Malkoski’s sentiments. “When you don’t hear anything at the top end, you know everybody’s doing a great job. Mattapoisett’s very lucky to be getting him.”
Beyond the cold cuts, cheese, crackers and cake that gave Monday night’s MRC meeting a more jovial flavor, there is much on Marion’s plate with the Blessing of the Fleet scheduled for Saturday, July 1. Fireworks are also scheduled for that night in the harbor. In addition to special events, regular recreational boating traffic is in full swing, and 850,000 oyster seeds were anticipated on Tuesday for the propagation program that Tabor Academy runs for the town.
Deputy Harbormaster/Shellfish Officer Adam Murphy told the MRC he has met with Chief of Police Richard Nighelli, whom he said requested documents on staffing as the town strategizes its personnel needs for the July 4 holiday.
Where Marion goes from here has yet to be determined, but Malkoski believes in Marion’s personnel. “It’s a loss for the town, but the people that are still here are very good,” he said.
“It’s not going to skip a beat, it’s going to just keep moving, probably a little better. … These guys have it covered, without a doubt,” said Perry.
In direct answer to MRC member Peter Borsari’s question, Murphy said, “We’re going to be good, we’ve just got to get with the Police Department” on day-to-day operations. “We’re going to be fine.” Murphy assured the MRC that the next two months of scheduling has been worked out between himself, Wilson and “full-time, part-time guy” Andrew Miller, “who has been an asset, he’s really stepped up.”
In the long term, Murphy said the Harbor Department operates under the Police Department, but working that out with the Select Board is a process.
“The ball’s moving in the right direction … we’ve just got to get everybody in the same room,” he said, stressing that the future of the department is the “farthest thing from my mind. Our focus is on the calendar, events that are pretty important. Where we go with the Police Department is probably a conversation that we have in the fall.”
Perry admitted the attraction to Mattapoisett involved the bureaucratic end of the job.
“We’ve been having these discussions with other towns … Mattapoisett moved very early in the direction that we were looking to go – very, very proactive approach. It’s a little bit slower here in Marion,” said Perry, who will oversee the employees of Mattapoisett’s Marine Department. “They’ll report to me, I’ll in turn report to the Chief of Police. That’s the direction that Marion has now gone, but they needed a little push to go in that direction. And I get the impression that I was that little push.”
In other business, MRC member Cheryl Souza told the commission she had shared patrol-boat quotes with them.
Murphy told the commissioners that a conversation with the state’s Seaport Economic Council indicates that public access could affect funding possibilities for the eroding seawall at Island Wharf. He suggested the town needs a Master Plan to address the wharf. Concrete versus wooden floats was also discussed, along with dock access.
The next meeting of the Marion Resources Commission is scheduled for Monday, July 17, at 7:00 pm, most likely at the Music Hall.
Marion Marine Resources Commission
By Mick Colageo