Selectman Explains Enterprise Revenues

After months of waiting for financial explanations for the Waterfront Enterprise Fund, Selectman Paul Silva and Town Administrator Michael Gagne were ready to present the board details on how the fund has historically been financed and how it will be funded moving forward. Two significant changes were noted in Gagne’s presentation.

First, the Town will now request state approval via special legislation that will allow 100-percent of all boat excise taxes collected to be fully accrued to the Waterfront Enterprise Fund. Second, Gagne has changed the percentage charged to the Waterfront Enterprise Fund for clerical work performed by the treasurer, tax collector, accountant and town administrator.

In previous years, the Waterfront Enterprise Fund had received only 50-percent of the collected boat excise taxes and had paid a slightly higher percentage for fixed clerical costs. Fixed clerical costs will now be scaled back to reflect a more accurate figure, Gagne said. Those changes equate to: excise taxes from approximately $23,000 annually to $30,000. As for fixed costs, those changes are: town administrator from 5-percent to 3-percent (approximately $5,000 to $3,000); accountant 5-percent to 3-percent (approximately $3,500 to $2,000); accounting clerical from 5-percent to 3-percent (approximately $2,200 to $1,330); and treasurer/collector from 5-percent to 4-percent (approximately $3,000 to $2,400). Tax clerical services and Board of Selectmen costs remain at 3-percent or approximately $309.

Once the state signs off on the change of excise taxes collected, the Waterfront Enterprise Fund will receive 100-percent.

Silva explained the details with spreadsheets and other documents on how the Waterfront Enterprise account is funded and the associated expenses. When all was said and done, the board had a clear picture moving forward on how funds are received and expended to their satisfaction as was Harbormaster Jill Simmons, whose task it is to manage the Waterfront Enterprise Fund.

The changes mean that the fund should have approximately $11,000 in reserve at the end of fiscal year 2015.

In conclusion, Silva asked the MAB to look towards fee increases that take inflation into consideration. He also asked the board to look forward and determine the types of projects the waterfront may need in the coming years, including projects that should come before the Capital Finance Committee.

Simmons’ report to the MAB noted the hiring of James Sullivan as assistant harbormaster, calling him “a talented addition to the department with excellent job skills.” She also said that new dinghy docks have been completed, adding 16 new slots.

A new Eagle Scout project is about to begin, Simmons shared, as local Boy Scout Adam Perkins, 16, of Troop 0053 has asked permission to build new kayak racks at the Town Wharf for his Eagle requirement. Perkins and his parents are accepting donations in material or cash to offset costs associated with the project. Contact Simmons at harbormaster@mattapoisett.net for more details.

Simmons said that the Town’s public restrooms are now closed for the season. Docks will be removed in the coming week, and people will be informed that dinghies need to be removed.

Regarding the updating of Rules and Regulations, a process nearing completion for the MAB, Simmons asked for an addition that would read:

7.3.2.1. If a mooring is found to be off station the Harbormaster shall notify the permit holder of the situation and instruct same to have the mooring placed back on station within seven days. If the mooring is not place back on station within the seven-day period, the Harbormaster may have the mooring either removed or placed back on station at the permit holder’s expense. Notwithstanding the previous, if the Harbormaster deems the off-station mooring to present an immediate danger the Harbormaster may, without notifying the permit holder, have the mooring either immediately removed or immediately placed back on station at the permit holder’s expense.”

The MAB voted to insert this addition into the working document.

MAB Chairman Allen Gillis asked Silva and Gagne for an update on environmental issues related to Leisure Shores Marina. Silva and Gagne reported that the DEP had recently conducted a site visit to review waterside related activities, but nothing on the landside, which have been contested for some years. Gagne said that issues regarding boats stored on the land were zoning problems yet to be resolved. He said that he was in dialog with the State fire marshal with respect to flammable liquids stored onboard boats being hauled out of the water and stored on Ringuette’s property.

Gagne impressed upon the MAB that it was paramount for the Town to follow “the letter of the law” in a case that he typified as “very complicated.”

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for November 20 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

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