The Marion Marine Resources Commission met on May 21 for their first meeting after Town Meeting and the Town Election. Following the approval of the commission’s minutes from their last meeting, the commissioners, along with Harbormaster Adam Murphy, began discussions on the harbor.
Murphy began by saying the town’s new patrol boat has been delivered. The Harbormaster said they’ve done some tests with it in the harbor, and it will soon be picked up to paint the bottom as the exterior hull remains unpainted. There was some discussion on the paint job, with a quote returning for $20,000 in work, though the Harbormaster said they are looking into less-expensive alternatives. He did add that some maintenance will be done on the old boat, a Boston Whaler, so that It can remain in use until training with the new boat is complete.
Floats and channel markers are all in, though Murphy added some minor adjustments are necessary. Murphy then added his thanks at the support he felt for the town’s vote against Article 51 (the separation of the Police and Harbormaster departments).
Talks then shifted to the Harbor Management Plan. Chair Vincent J. Malkoski, Jr., said he had hoped to discuss things at Town Meeting, but there was too much else going on. He added, “our plans to try to start working on that before the season didn’t pan out – and you can see, it’s already filling up out there [in the harbor].” Malkoski then spoke on looking back at previous harbor-management plans, such as one from 1980 and another from 1964. In drawing on examples from the past, the commission hopes to come to a more amicable and agreeable plan for the harbor.
In terms of billing, many are still outstanding according to the Harbormaster. He reported a total paid of $477,500.76 and a total still owed at $65,129.40. He added calls have been made with some warnings being issued.
Later in the meeting, talks continued around the aftermath of the Article 51 Town Meeting discussion and vote. It was said the Harbormaster office may have an “image problem,” and there should be an effort to disclose to the public the daily operations of the department to ward against the public thinking “the Harbormaster wants to be a cop, you know, and wear a gun and draw a gun and all this other stuff,” as one member of the commission explained. The Harbormaster stressed the importance of public outreach and a personable approach.
The Marion Marine Resources Commission continues to look into next year’s Harbor Management Plan. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Maritime Center Conference Room.
Marion Marine Resources Commission
By Sam Bishop