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Select Board OKs Wake Winnie commercial landing permit after extended debate on town docks
Summary
The Wolfeboro Select Board approved a commercial vessel landing permit for Wake Winnie LLC for the 2025 season after a lengthy discussion about dock use, grandfathered vessels and enforcement. Supporters said the operator runs a legitimate, growing local business; critics urged a larger policy review and work session on dock rules and fees.
The Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen voted to approve a commercial vessel landing permit for Wake Winnie LLC for the 2025 summer boating season after an extended public discussion and objections from some board members and residents.
The permit application was presented by Torrance Stegemeyer, who identified himself as representing Wake Winnie LLC and said the company operates a fleet of about six boats for cruises, charters and rentals on Lake Winnipesaukee. “We started Wake Winnie in 2018 because I could not find a way to get on this beautiful lake when I moved here,” Stegemeyer said. He told the board his operation now runs approximately six boats on a good day and that some boats are rented out to qualified customers.
The conversation focused on where commercial vessels should land, how many permits are required for multi‑boat operators, and whether long‑standing users of town dock space (including a vessel known as the Millie B operated by the New Hampshire Boat Museum) had been effectively "grandfathered." Several select board members said the town needs clearer policies for commercial landings and dock allocation.
Select Board members emphasized the need for a follow‑up work session. "This is a problem that doesn't get better with scale," one board member said, urging a larger discussion involving town staff and stakeholders. Town Manager Jim Pigno told the board the immediate decision was whether to issue a landing permit now and to continue the broader dock discussion later.
After debate the board approved the Wake Winnie commercial vessel landing permit for the 2025 season. The board indicated it will schedule a future work session to review commercial landing rules, the practice of assigning dock privileges, and whether multiple permits are required for multi‑boat operations.
The vote clears the operator to use the town docking facilities under the terms of the landing permit; it does not resolve the outstanding questions about dock allocation, fees or the status of vessels the board described as "grandfathered." Board members and the applicant said they will set a separate meeting to address dock policy and enforcement.
The board asked staff to bring background materials and a recommended process for a dock policy work session, including existing commercial‑landing ordinance language and examples of how other lake towns manage landing permits.
(Ending) The applicant said he would provide written details about his fleet and operations to town staff and meet with the board in a future work session. The board did not change the existing commercial dock layout or write new rules at the meeting; members said they want a cross‑departmental discussion and possible ordinance revisions before making permanent policy changes.
