Wolfeboro selectmen remove flagman rule, limit Mass Landing commercial activity and set temporary dock permits

The Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen on May 8 voted to remove a flagman requirement from the town’s docks and wharves ordinance and adopted a set of temporary restrictions and permits intended to reduce congestion at the town docks while staff prepares a cost-and-permit plan.

The board approved a motion to recommend eliminating section 36-5, paragraph O, item 5 of the town docks and wharves ordinance — a sentence that the motion quoted as requiring “a flagman wearing a fluorescent vest shall be in attendance to direct traffic.” Selectmen said the change will go to a public hearing with the rest of the revised ordinance language.

The action came as the board debated multiple related proposals: whether to increase the barge landing fee (currently $3,000), whether to reserve some docks for municipal use and handicapped access, where to allow commercial loading at Mass Landing, and how to control the number of commercial landing permits at the commercial dock.

Why it matters: The decisions affect who can load and unload at public landings, how the town recovers costs to maintain docks and ramps, and how downtown congestion and safety at narrow dock walkways will be managed. Several longtime operators and town residents urged the board to preserve legacy operations — particularly the mail-boat service — while others pushed for tighter limits or a capped permit system for charter and commercial boats.

Most important actions and debate

Elimination of flagman requirement: Selectmen voted to remove the line in the ordinance that said a flagman in a fluorescent vest must be present to direct traffic at Libby Dock. The motion was presented as a narrow change to paragraph O, item 5 of…