MARION — At a Oct. 6 Selectmen’s meeting, resident Chris MacLean came before the board to discuss the reasons behind why he believes he should be able to keep his swim float attached to his mooring, which Selectmen believe could set a precedent for allowing others to tie up swim floats or house boats in the future if it is allowed to stay.

McLean explained that there have been no complaints from residents about the 18 foot by 18 foot float right off the family’s property on Allen’s Point Road, and it hasn’t caused any trouble since he was given permission by the Harbormaster Isaac Perry to have it there since 2017.

“I don’t see a good enough argument to take it away,” MacLean said.

But Selectmen weren’t as convinced.

Selectman John Waterman said he received an anonymous complaint that people were drinking and partying on the float last year. MacLean assured him that there are no minors drinking, and that it was the first complaint he heard. 

Waterman added that allowing MacLean to keep the float attached would set a precedent for the future.

Harbormaster Isaac Perry was present and said he received quite a few requests for swim floats and house boats in the wake of McLean’s addition.

He said it gave his office pause to think about permitting these requests.

Ultimately, his office came to the decision that it doesn’t fit into state boating regulations. 

“I’m not comfortable going down that road,” Waterman said. 

MacLean said rather than start a petition or take legal action, he figured to be honest and come before the Board to plead his case.

While he believed he was doing the right thing, Waterman also pointed out that the Board will make the decision it thinks is correct, regardless of intentions. 

Perry said MacLean’s permit cannot be denied until Spring 2021. If it is denied, MacLean can plead his case, and Selectmen will make a decision then. For now, nothing changes.