The Marion Marine Resources Commission often has to borrow equipment from other departments and private entities. Meanwhile, sales of old equipment often go back to the General Fund and can’t be used by the MRC for its own capital improvement needs, according to MRC members at the October 15 meeting at the Marine Maritime Center.
The MRC spent the majority of the meeting discussing this financial conundrum for the marine division.
Harbormaster Adam Murphy prefaced the issue by mentioning that the Capital Improvement Committee last year did not approve requests from the MRC for some needed capital improvement items, such as floating concrete docks.
Murphy noted an accounting issue, which stretches beyond Marion and MRC issues. When outdated MRC equipment is sold by the town, it returns to the general treasury and can be allocated to other sources – per state law.
MRC members questioned the fairness of such a move. For instance, the MRC has a new patrol boat and is auctioning off the old boat, revenue from which might not return to the MRC budget.
“The new patrol boat was an eye opener for the public,” Murphy said. “If we want something we need to raise fees, and it can’t be on the back of taxpayers. The old patrol boat will go to the general fund. It doesn’t directly come back if we sell.”
Murphy referenced two outdated trucks that the MRC is using. He said the MRC for this year has asked for a new patrol truck but erring on the side of caution, will maintain one older pickup truck.
Murphy said the latter truck does not respond to emergencies and will have some use for the town for at least the next fiscal year.
Murphy said one vehicle could be sold and money could be used by the MRC but would only return to the general treasury and can be allocated in any manner.
However, the MRC often has to borrow equipment from the town’s Department of Public Works and from local commercial boating centers at times.
MRC chairman Vin Malkoski mentioned the potential liability of such borrowing.
We rely on local boat yards for help, but this can be problematic,” Malkoski said. “If something happens, that becomes problematic.”
“We are relying on other people’s equipment to operate our business,” Murphy also said.
MRC members said they hope that at a meeting later this month, they can review the fee schedule, which could help bolster revenue.
MRC members also discussed the ongoing issue of boaters not being allowed to park in grassy open space areas, adjacent to the Island Wharf, when other entities have done just that.
Members also said that this issue is fairly new, as boaters parked there in the past, but the popularity of the local summer concerts has raised concerns from the public.
The Marion Marine Resource Commission’s next meeting is October 27, where they will review numbers. Later this fall, they will review MRC membership, as there are potential alternates looking to join the group.
Commissioners also brainstormed how sales of old MRC equipment could be returned to MRC funding accounts to help pay for capital and other items.
Marion Marine Resources Commission
By Jeffrey D. Wagner