The Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board met on Thursday, June 25 for their first meeting of the summer, and in it, spoke on updates to Long Wharf, parking sticker fees, and other business regarding the harbor.
Following the approval of minutes from their last meeting, the board moved to discuss the ongoing Long Wharf project. Chair Carlos DeSousa stated the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management has recently completed as survey of the proposed work on the wharf and has deemed it acceptable with no additional review necessary. The Massachusetts CZM was established following the national Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and oversees coastal development and usage. The group can also assist with grants and funding attainment.
It was stated at the meeting the CZM review is the “biggest obstacle” for the project in terms of permitting, and with it out of the way, the path ahead for the wharf’s revival is much clearer.
Next, the group discussed an email they received from the Harbor Beach Improvement Association regarding a $220 invoice they received for swim floats, as well as their accompanying late fees. The association believed they hadn’t received adequate notice of the bill, with the original invoice being received by email in November with a subsequent physical envelope arriving in March. They also said, “Having consistently paid for our swim floats in the past nine years, I find a $100 fee on a $120 invoice to be excessive.” They noted they paid the invoice in full, but recommend the late fee be reimbursed and better methods of communication be sought.
The board made a unanimous vote to refund the $100 late fee while also pledging to seek new methods of notice for billing.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board was not scheduled at adjournment.
Mattapoisett Marion Advisory Board
By Sam Bishop