Mattapoisett will have a full-time harbormaster starting July 1 this fiscal year 2020, if the Town Meeting voters are so inclined. But definite changes are being reviewed and developed by the Marine Advisory Board at the direction of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen.
During the March 12 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Marine Advisory Board Chairman Carlos DeSousa, along with part-time Harbormaster Jill Simmons, presented a draft document that focused on several key areas of the Waterfront Enterprise – namely staffing, revenue, and expenses.
Regarding the issue of whether or not the Town needed a full-time harbormaster, DeSousa confirmed that the MAB supports the change. He noted that the harbormaster’s services should be available to the public from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm during prime summer months and, during the off-season, the harbormaster could pick up some administrative tasks currently managed by several Town Hall departments, such as in the accounting or clerk’s office. The Waterfront Enterprise is currently paying for Town Hall services to the tune of $87,000 per year.
DeSousa said the MAB had researched what other towns are currently paying for a full-time harbormaster and any additional seasonal staffing. He said that salaries start around $65,000 and rise to as much as $100,000. Part-time seasonal harbormaster salaries average about $30 per hour, and wharfingers make about $15.30 per hour.
Total proposed harbormaster and associated staffing estimates came in at $200,000, DeSousa said.
The MAB also looked at software and computer needs for the harbormaster’s office to be at about $6,000; pump-out boat expenses at $7,000; docks and floats (from the FY19 budget) at $25,000; and renovations to the harbormaster building at $6,000.
Capital improvements were also discussed for the harborside. The list with estimated costs included Mello Wharf repairs at $9,000; fendering at $130,000 (with a 10-year bond); dredging and pilings for $50,000; new harbormaster boat at $130,000 (another 10-year bond); and a harbormaster truck with police radios at $50,000. The draft estimate for the re-organized seaside department came to $434,000.
Offsetting that sum was the income. DeSousa said he was awaiting the complete details and exact accounting of the revenue produced by the Waterfront Enterprise, but felt comfortable estimating it to be around $300,000 for FY19, leaving roughly a $100,000 shortfall for the department to be financially solvent with the new plan in place.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Jordan Collyer cautioned that the MAB report and departmental overall proposal was “ just a draft”, but that the board hoped to present the change in the status of the harbormaster position at the May 13 Annual Town Meeting.
“It would be great if we could get someone to come in by the first of August. A transition period is needed,” Collyer said. But he did acknowledge there was some pencil sharpening to be done to bridge the gap between revenue and expenses. He also thought a good starting figure for salary negotiations for a full-time harbormaster should be around $80-85,000.
The selectmen planned a meeting with the MAB to take place on the same evening as their next board meeting. At that time, many of the draft items and associated costs would be fully vetted, they believe. That date has yet to be announced.
In other matters, Town Administrator Michael Gagne publicly thanked Tree Warden Roland Cote, saying, “He works day in, day out.” Gagne referred to the Town’s status as a recognized Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. He said of Cote, “He promotes the health of the trees along scenic roads, works with the utilities when trees are cut or trimmed…. He loves the trees.”
Also present to discuss the upcoming Arbor Day celebration was Tree Committee Chairman Sandy Hering and member Jodi Bauer. Hering said that Mattapoisett is being recognized for a twelfth year. Collyer read a proclamation announcing April 26 as Arbor Day. A flag raising is planned by the Tree Committee at Town Hall that day.
Gagne reported that he has been continuing his work with the Finance Committee in advance of the Annual Town Meeting. He also said he is working on grants for Industrial Drive improvements. He said that a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management was possible, given that untreated stormwater runoff from Interstate 195 flows into Mattapoisett’s Tubb Mill Brook.
Gagne also reported that the Board of Health has posted a link on the Town’s website to assist residents in best practices for residential recycling.
Regarding the upcoming Town Meeting, Gagne asked the public to submit any articles they wish to add to the warrant by the end of March.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen has not yet been scheduled, but will be announced on the website: www.mattapoisett.net.
Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen
By Marilou Newell