On October 15, the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen met with Harbormaster Jill Simmons for an afternoon working session that lasted nearly two hours as topics for discussion ranged from the need for new boats, acceptance of updated Waterways Rules and Regulations, the use of private vehicles for town business, and much more.
Before reviewing Simmons’ capital needs list, the selectmen wanted to discuss the purchase of a new a pump-out boat. After receiving word from Mattapoisett Boat Yard that they would no longer be able to provide the service, the selectmen sought to figure out costs and the type of vessel necessary to run a municipal service. Simmons presented the data.
Simmons said that based on a 19-foot boat and after federal financial support from the Clean Vessel Act (CVA), the Town would need to come up with about $19,500. But Selectmen Paul Silva and Jordan Collyer questioned the size of the boat, saying they believed a larger boat of 23 feet was more in order, a boat that could be used for other harbormaster activities.
Simmons pushed back a bit on that thought saying that a boat partially funded by the CVA could not be used for other activities.
“What are they going to do,” replied Silva, “take it away from us?” He supported his belief that a larger boat was necessary, given the rough waters often encountered in outlying locations.
Collyer said that other towns use their pump-out boat for a variety of tasks. After further discussion, the board unanimously moved to ask Town Meeting for the funds for a 23-foot pump-out boat.
Simmons then presented a list of four capital needs items, which inspired a great deal of comment and at least one selectman expressing frustration. Number one on the list was a new harbormaster boat.
Simmons outlined in detail why a new boat is needed and why the current watercraft was not sufficient for the tasks and responsibilities her department faced on a daily basis. She said that because of the need to set new channel markers and buoys, water rescues, and shellfish propagation, a different type of boat was necessary. Silva was not moved.
“Why do we have to spend money on a harbormaster boat?” Silva stated. “I’m not going to spend money until we go to the spring Town Meeting.” He questioned why a boat was needed now when it hadn’t been needed for the last 20 years.
“Something like this, to me, would be a key advantage to our operation,” said Simmons. “I can’t ask people to pick up a 1,500-pound mooring.”
She said that the boat she suggested could handle heavy work, had a shallow draft, was sturdy, and “able to do what it’s supposed to do.”
Selectman Tyler Macallister agreed, saying, “Our harbor has the least amount of equipment to service it.” He said that moving buoys, grabbing boats, and other harbor side work needs the right boat for the job. “The current boat has never been the right boat,” he said. “Our focus has been to get the waterfront working. … We need the proper equipment … [and] this is something we definitely need.”
Discussion followed on how best to finance a new harbormaster boat. With retiring debt and other waterfront enterprise revenues and the use of motors currently in the Town’s possession, Town Administrator Michael Gagne said something could be worked out.
Collyer agreed with Macallister and Simmons, saying that they could sell the current vessel by adding, “No one wanted to use it. … It was not the right boat for the job.”
But Silva dug in, saying, “I just don’t see the plan. We’re jumping the gun without a plan.”
He then said that Simmons had not provided adequate staffing after 5:00 pm on weekends during the boating season. Simmons replied, “A lot of times I’m there alone after 11:00 pm.” She added that all staff hours are recorded.
Macallister supported Simmons, saying he had witnessed harbormaster staff members after 5:00 pm at night. He also said, “If the numbers work, put it on the Town Meeting floor. … This is one of the things the waterfront desperately needs. The current boat is not functional.”
Simmons estimated the cost of a new harbormaster boat at $85,000.
Collyer made a motion to place the capital need on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant if the finances could be worked out to the satisfaction of the board. Macallister seconded the motion. Silva was opposed.
Simmons also listed the need for a pick-up truck for the harbormaster’s staff, a stripped down vehicle that could handle messy jobs. She also said that currently, employees have to use their own vehicles to carry out town business and she was concerned that the staff members did not have adequate insurance in the event of an accident. Gagne said that other town department staffers use their own vehicles and that currently the Town’s insurance rider would pay deductibles incurred.
“I’m satisfied we are adequately protected,” Gagne stated.
Macallister supported Simmons, saying that the department needed a “beater” to handle the variety of unpleasant materials they are called upon the remove from shorelines. Gagne countered that Simmons could call upon the Highway Department for assistance and that Simmons did have a hand-me-down vehicle from the Police Department.
Silva, once again, wanted to know what the plan was.
“I don’t know why we need two vehicles,” said Silva, “[or] why we should spent money without a plan.”
The selectmen choose to revisit this request at a later date.
Simmons asked the selectmen to consider the need for repairs to Middle Wharf, given that boats are getting stuck under the fender piles and one boat recently sunk. No motion was made at this time.
The selectmen accepted an updated set of Waterfront Rules and Regulations and a new contract agreement for boats using slip spaces crafted by the Marine Advisory Board with Simmons’ assistance. They also agreed that fines should be imposed on boat owners who do not pump out their vessels in a timely manner after storm events, a situation that could lead to a boating sinking.
The selectmen announced that waterfront renewal invoices will be emailed on November 7, and that boat owners have 60 days to make payments before late fees and fines are imposed.
In other matters, Gagne announced that Mattapoisett has received an $88,000 grant to cover costs associated with the purchase and installation of an emergency generator at the housing authority residences. He said the application was submitted in August and was announced during a recent meeting of the House Choice Initiative Program.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for October 23 at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.
Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen
By Marilou Newell