Neighbors raised an angry plea to the Gloucester Conservation Commission on Nov. 19, saying a houseboat stored on marshland at 91 Wheeler Street has killed marsh vegetation and sits on private tidal marsh without permission.

Mary Frost told the commission, “We just want it moved,” saying the boat’s winter storage has left a patch of dead marsh and created ongoing damage to shellfish flats and marsh habitat. Her husband, Corey Frost, and nearby residents said they had been told by the harbor master staff that the placement was not permitted.

Commissioners described the situation as an apparent violation of the commission’s jurisdiction over wetland resources and discussed enforcement options. The commission noted the complication that the boat is on private marsh owned by the complainants and that removal could involve civil trespass remedies or require municipal action. Harbormaster Chris Lucido, on a call with the meeting, said he had not told residents they would “go to jail” for cutting the boat loose but had told them that freeing the boat or taking unilateral action could be illegal; he reiterated that cutting a vessel loose can carry legal risk.

Commission members and staff agreed the commission should not pursue self-help by residents and instead asked their staff to consult the city solicitor and the state Department of Environmental Protection to identify legally permissible remedies. Commissioners discussed issuing an enforcement order or directing legal staff to contact the vehicle/boat registrant; they also raised towing and police options as possible next steps if legal counsel advises. Several commissioners said they wanted to avoid imposing cleanup or towing costs on the complainant and to ensure the responsible party bears the cost.

The commission did not vote to issue an enforcement order at the Nov. 19 meeting. Staff committed to follow up with the city solicitor and DEP and to keep the reporting residents informed. The commission requested a written recommendation from legal counsel on whether to issue an enforcement order and whether the commission can pursue administrative actions that would help the property owners remove the boat without exposing them to civil liability.

What’s next: staff will consult the city solicitor and DEP and report back; the commission flagged the matter as high priority for legal follow-up and potential enforcement action.