Marion Harbormaster seeks to add floats, increase town revenue

Apr 25, 2012

With the spring boating season underway, Marion Harbormaster Michael Cormier has a plan to increase town revenue, while making boating more accessible for residents.

As of now, the town’s Old Landing Boat Slip in Sippican Harbor has four floats available for residents to dock boats that are 20 feet long and 9 feet wide.

With those spots already filled, Cormier said building two additional floats will open-up much needed space for residents to tie up their boats in the harbor.

“There’s not enough room for a 20-foot boat,” Cormier said. “Adding the floats will give 70 feet of dockage and make navigation a lot easier.”

Over the last two weeks Cormier has been keeping a waiting list for residents who would be interested in the two spots, which would cost $800 per boater.

To date, Cormier said the waiting list already has 37 names.

On April 3, the Board of Selectmen said the proposal was “fair.”

“The concept is great, it’s wonderful,” said Selectman Roger Blanchette.

The two new floats will cost roughly $6,200 to build, which will be paid with funds from the Harbormaster department’s waterways account.

Cormier said that all projects in his department are completed using funds from this account instead of the burden falling on the property taxpayers.

“We are completely self-sufficient,” he said.

With two new floats, Cormier said the town would receive $4,800 in added revenue during the first year.

“We invest $6,500 and get back 80 percent the first year,” Blanchette said. “From then on it’s a gravy train.”

The request will have to go before May Town Meeting for approval. If he is given the go ahead, Cormier said he aims to start construction of the new floats by June.