An article on appointing the harbormaster stirred up controversy before Mattapoisett’s Special Town Meeting.

Although Mattapoisett Selectmen tried to clarify its purpose, to grant them more authority over the harbormaster position, residents debated the merits of the article at length before finally approving it.

Selectmen sought a home rule petition to override a Commonwealth law that states, “Appointment shall remain in force unless the harbormaster is removed for neglect of duty, negligence, or conduct unbecoming to a harbormaster.”

“Basically it creates a job for life,” said Selectman Paul Silva. “Home rule petition would put the harbormaster in parity with other employees.”

The part-time position has been held by Horace Field for the past year.

The petition would have to go to the State Legislature and be signed by the Governor before taking effect, a process that could take eight months to a year, said Silva.

Silva explained that other town employees work under a three-year contract, are subject to a performance reviews, must establish annual performance goals, and have conditions set for discipline or dismissal.

“Sound familiar to those of you who work in the real world?” said Silva.

Selectmen Chair Jordan Collyer said, “It’s the only department head left that isn’t being held to the same standard.”

Many were concerned that the article would allow Selectmen to change the position from a part-time to a full-time job. While Selectmen and Town Counsel David Jenkins insisted otherwise, a motion was made by Carlos Desouza to change the article’s wording to specify that the position would only be part-time.

The motion was voted down after Rep. William Straus pointed out that such a specification would restrict the townspeople if they ever wanted to hire a full-time harbormaster as it would have to go to the state again.

“You would actually be giving up authority locally,” said Straus. “Trust me, it’s not a decisions the Legislature or Governor are looking to make.”

Former Harbormaster Steve Mach questioned the Selectmen’s jurisdiction over the harbormaster, saying their position on the waterways often changed when new members came on board. “I dealt with a lot of boards of Selectmen,” he said.

He added, “I’m disappointed the Marine Advisory Board wasn’t consulted. Maybe we can create a Marine Commission where they actually have the authority to make some of the regulations in town.”

Other residents affirmed the Selectmen’s position and agreed with the petition.

By neglecting to pass the article, James Dildine said, “What it really does is create a little king. Fortunately, we haven’t had people take advantage of that power, but I can see it become a real fiasco for the town. We would be wide open to very costly litigation.”

A motion to specify that the position be open to Mattapoisett residents only and a motion to indefinitely postpone the article were both voted down.

Residents approved the original article with 159 people in favor of it, while 18 voted against it.