The Marion Marine Resources Commission met on May 20 at the Island Wharf Harbormaster Center where discussion focused on a survey being drafted by consultants Kristen Uiterwjk and Shannon Hogan of UMass Boston’s Urban Harbor Institute.
The MRC members discussed outreach as well as one question that did not address private boating access. The survey is part of an overall master plan for Marion Harbor.
The MRC asked consultants to simplify the question so that boaters can respond whether they launch a watercraft from a private dock, a public one or a yacht club dock. Hogan said the consultants were trying to get a sense of who uses the harbor.
They agreed to clarify that question and allow users to respond anonymously or leave an email address. They also said they would simplify the question by asking boaters if they use a private one or one of the town’s three public docks. “This (survey) is for anyone. It’s casting a wide, wide net because we are looking at all users of the harbor,” Hogan said.
MRC members and the two consultants also agreed to pose questions for non-boat users as well as ones who have an active vessel. Members and the consultants discussed public outreach. They all agreed that a recent hearing drew a large crowd at which participants wrote down email addresses.
Consultants said that databases are useful and suggested using local media, social media, town emails and other means to spread the word about the prospective harbor plan and the survey.
The MRC also introduced new Harbormaster Cameron Wentworth, who recently was unanimously voted into the position by the Select Board. Wentworth has a background in law enforcement and boating, and his appointment is pending, as long as negotiations are successful. He is replacing Harbormaster Adam Murphy, who took a job with the Marion Police Department.
The MRC also addressed parking issues around Island Wharf, reporting that a working committee has focused on the possibility of Sippican Elementary School as well as Department of Public Works land for parking during the summer months.
The grassy area near the town bandstand will be off limits for parking on Fridays beginning at 12:00 pm through the weekend with the exception of people who use the bandstand to attend music events during the summer.
Island Wharf has limited parking and is supposed to be for boaters only, but over the last few years officials have reported boaters parking elsewhere and non-boaters parking at Island Wharf. MRC members agreed that this is a townwide problem during the summer months, and they are working to address it.
The next meeting of the Marion Marine Resources Commission was not scheduled at adjournment.
Marion Marine Resources Commission
By Jeffrey D. Wagner