Mattapoisett officials are looking to keep the harbor clean through a grant that would provide the town with a pump-out boat.

Through the Clean Vessel Act Grant, Selectmen believe the town can acquire a small 22 to 24-foot boat that could visit moorings and remove “gray water” and human waste from boats.

Town Administrator Mike Gagne said that since Buzzards Bay is a “no discharge zone,” boats are required to pump out sanitary waste into tanks.

Gagne said in his previous position in Dartmouth, he found that the boat enables the harbormaster and assistant harbormasters to better service the boating community and monitor activity on the water.

Since the grant would provide for 75 percent of funds associated with the boat, and further costs will be funded through the Waterway’s Enterprise Fund, taxpayers will not pay anything for the boat.

But, resident Paul Osenkowski voiced concern over adding another service to the town.

“If we get another boat, we have another liability,” said Osenkowski. “We have a harbormaster who is responsible for the harbor, and we have people who are in the harbor who see violations of illegal pumping. Why can’t these be reported and taken care of at this point?”

Selectman Paul Silva retorted that the new boat would be good for the environment by providing an easier way to pump out waste.

“I see boats moored in locations and never moved,” said Silva. “You can’t tell me they’re coming in and using the pump station.”

Silva added that the boat will provide extra support in areas like Brandt Island Cove, which do not have pumping stations.

“If it’s free, they’re going to use it,” said Silva.

Gagne said that the town will still maintain the existing pump-out station.