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Wolfeboro Select Board debates limiting commercial activity, schedules and fees at town docks
Summary
At a May 8 Select Board work session, members discussed revising the town docks ordinance to restrict commercial use of certain docks, require schedules for commercial vessels, create an ADA pickup spot and raise fees; no formal action was taken.
At a May 8 work session, the Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen discussed proposed changes to the town docks ordinance, including restricting commercial use on Docks A through G, requiring commercial vessels to provide fixed schedules, reserving an ADA pickup/drop-off slip and increasing dock fees.
The discussion drew from long-running tensions between residents, local businesses and commercial vessel operators over how the town's docks are used and how revenue is collected. Select Board members and residents debated whether to limit commercial operations to long-standing vessels such as the Mount Washington and the Millie B, require schedules from charter operators, or remove commercial permits entirely.
Board members described recurring conflicts in which charter and rental operators use recreational slips, creating a “scrum” for short-term passenger pickup and drop-off. One selectman proposed designating Docks A–G for noncommercial use (a proposal described in the meeting as taking effect “01/01/1926” in the speaker's remarks). Board members discussed reserving a single slip (preferably on Dock G) for short-term pickup/drop-off and ADA access, and moving commercial activity to the town’s commercial dock area. They also discussed limiting overnight parking from recreational docks and establishing or clarifying a commercial-vessel permit that would require schedules and could be revoked for violations.
The board reviewed staff-provided fee scenarios and revenue estimates. One selectman presented a town calculation showing prospective dock revenue of roughly $3,800 spread across operators, which translated in the board member's example to about $0.54 per landing; members used that figure to argue for higher fees and a clearer pricing policy tied to cost recovery for dock staff and capital costs. Members also cited examples of private rental rates in the market (one quoted $1,600 for a day's pontoon rental; another $1,675 for an eight-hour charter) to underscore that the town's current landing fees are low relative to private operators.
Public commenters urged caution about removing commercial permits. Torrance Stegemeyer, owner of Wake Wind LLC, said the local boat business is high-cost and seasonal and warned that removing commercial permits could harm visitors and businesses that bring families to Wolfeboro. "It would be unfortunate if you just took the commercial vessel landing permit away," Stegemeyer said, adding that operators rely on predictable access and that existing operators have longstanding relationships with the community.
A second resident, Jody Carson, said the town docks should "get back to the basics" as public, taxpayer-owned landings and expressed concern about the docks shifting toward commercial operations such as bass tournaments and frequent charter pickups.
Board members agreed they need more information before any ordinance change. They asked staff to compile written lists and cost-recovery calculations (members said they would email suggested changes to Amy, a staff member who prepared the highlighted ordinance draft) and scheduled a follow-up work session for Wednesday, May 14, at 5 p.m. Several members noted that, because this was a work session, formal motions or changes to existing leases could not be finalized at the meeting and that implementation could require review by the town attorney or action at a future meeting or town meeting depending on legal constraints and existing lease terms.
No formal vote or ordinance amendment was adopted at the May 8 work session. The conversation left open several options the board will vet further: (1) tighten the definition and enforcement of the commercial-vessel landing permit and require schedules for cruise/charter operations; (2) reserve specific slips for ADA pickup/drop-off and town/municipal boats; (3) adjust fees to recover dock-hand and capital costs; or (4) phase out commercial activity on certain docks while preserving long-standing operations such as the Mount Washington and the Millie B pending legal review.
