When Laurie Darosa’s husband Daniel surprised her with a property at 3 Goodspeed Island on her 50^th birthday, it came after years of dreaming about living on the water.

In addition to a new seaside home, “our vision from the beginning was to have a dock,” said Laurie.

Many in Mattapoisett are not opposed to that dream, per se, but they are none too pleased that it’s manifested itself into plans for a 290-foot pier.

At a public hearing for the Chapter 91 Public Waterfront Act License on Thursday night, the message from dissenting residents was clear: It’s not personal.

The Department of Environmental Protection will review the pier as it pertains to public access, usage and navigational issues.

The couple has already received two necessary permits for the construction of the pier, one from the Army Corps of Engineers and another from the DEP Waterways that involves the environmental impact of the structure. The latter is under appeal.

In the meantime, the division of the DEP that deals with Chapter 91 has plenty to review with many in Mattapoisett saying the pier would hinder public use of the area and pose a threat to a nearby sewer main.

“It’s not personal,” said Robin Lepour, who worked for the DEP Coastal Zone Management Program in the 1970s. “You don’t have an inherent right to construct a pier.”

Ray Andrews, an assessor, said the public would not benefit from the pier.

“The only party to gain from construction of this pier are the applicants,” he said.

Selectman Paul Silva said the town has 23 miles of coastline, but only a half mile of it is public and the area near the pier makes up 60 percent of that.

But Laurie Darosa said there have been “lies and exaggerations” about the actual public usage in the area.

Throughout the more than two hour meeting, only the Darosas neighbor, Anthony Campbell, spoke in favor of the pier. He agreed that few people use the area and said it’s too shallow and dangerous for boats to come close enough to the proposed pier anyway.

“Let’s get our bathing suits on and check it out,” he said. “It’s lousy swimming. I’ve never seen a sailboat come that close to shore.”

Resident Heather Miller called Campbell’s assertion “nonsense.”

“I have kayaked in front of this area many times,” she said, adding that she has also taken a sunfish into the shallow areas.

Early in the meeting, Laurie Darosa stated that “people would still be able to kayak and walk under it.”

John Janeiro disagreed saying high tide and waves would make passing under the pier dangerous.

He also took issue with the visual obstruction the pier might cause.

“My view would be ruined,” he said. “Who has the right to take over the view?”

Many who came to the podium said children learn to sail in the area, and the calm waters are good for rowing and paddleboarding.

Selectman Jordan Collyer said he is teaching his son in the same place.

Were the pier shorter, “I’d be all for it,” he said. “I don’t agree with its placement. I just can’t support this.”

The area is also a prime shellfishing spot, Natural Resources Officer Kathy Massey wrote in a letter.

Both Sylva and Andrews said large storms, including historic hurricanes, can produce forceful waves and cause boats to run ashore, across the area where the pier is proposed.

Andrews said, “The reason no one has attempted to build a pier at this location is that they were smart enough to understand the dynamics of Mattapoisett Harbor. There is no worse area in Mattapoisett to build a pier.”

Water and Sewer Superintendent Nick Nicholson discussed the possibility of the pier breaking apart in a large storm and damaging a nearby sewer main that could release thousands of gallons of raw sewage into Eel Pond and Mattapoisett Harbor.

“No one can say exactly what will happen,” said Nicholson. “It’s introducing a new variable.”

Bill Madden presented a possible loophole to the whole proposal, saying town zoning bylaws require a special permit to build such a structure.

“I’m thinking it could not move forward without that special permit being in place,” he said.

After more than two hours, and more than a dozen comments, the hearing closed. Residents, including those who spoke, are encouraged to submit written comments to the DEP by May 6. Email is not accepted.

Comments should be sent to Carlos T. B. Fragata, Environmental Analyst, DEP Waterways Regulation Program, 20 Riverside Drive, Lakeville, MA 02347. Include the DEP application number, W14-4226 and names of the applicant, Daniel and Laurie Darosa in the comment.