The Marion Marine Resources Commission met on Wednesday, April 1 in the Maritime Center for a list of action items that, along with approving minutes of prior meetings, handled the vacant harbormaster position, town kayak racks, the Harbor Management Plan, and Island Wharf.
The commission quickly discussed the open harbormaster position, mentioning the need for someone experienced. “We’re in a very different position than we’ve been in almost 20 years in terms of filling the position. We don’t have any kind of succession. we don’t have an assistant moving up or someone who has been groomed to move up, so we’re starting fresh,” Chair Vincent J. Malkoski, Jr. said.
The MRC then moved to discuss kayak rack regulations, which it was initially noted should have both the direction and eventual oversight of the harbormaster and their department. It was stated the difference between kayaks and paddleboards should be explicated outlined, and both water “crafts” follow generally the same rules, aside from positioning of their respective rack posts. There will be a $15 fee for a rack slot and a $5 renewal fee for existing approved residents.
Commission members also highlighted other powers to be taken up by the harbormaster, such as the officer having the authority to dispose of kayaks left behind or left by violators without a valid pass. Other potential kayak-related incidents were discussed, such as what to do when someone else has their kayak in your spot or whether non-residents should be offered some usability, with the commission agreeing more work and discussion is required to hash out and formulate the policy, with the chair stating the need for some facets of the policy to be simplified.
The MRC then moved on to discuss the Harbor Management Plan, which will also contain provisions for kayak/board racks.
Chair Malkoski mentioned he had received Select Board Vice Chair John Hoagland’s recommendations regarding Island Wharf and parking on the property. Malkoski noted the importance of a plan being discussed and devised for parking at the wharf, and the lot as a whole. The MRC discussed recommendations that parking for commercial vehicles and trailers be allowed with permit only (from October 15 to June 15), through harbormaster coordination. Should that be the case, the MRC also discussed proposals to move the bandstand to Silvershell Beach to allow Island Wharf to be maintained as parking for town access.
Commission members discussed commercial parking on the grass, with the chair saying, “the idea that you can never put stuff on the grass is just not a reality.”
They noted the difficulty is getting all the major town parties to agree, though Malkoski said he “absolutely” wants Island Wharf parking regulations to be included in the Harbor Management Plan.
The next meeting of the Marion Marine Resources Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15 at 6:00 pm in the Maritime Center.
The first Public Meeting to go over the Marion Harbor Management Plan is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Music Hall.
Marion Marine Resources Commission
By Sam Bishop