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Advisory board outlines town‑meeting articles on scalloping, no‑wake zone, apprenticeships and ferry fee
Summary
Board members identified at least four potential town‑meeting articles — recreational scalloping day changes, a no‑wake zone, apprenticeship regulation changes and a ferry embarkation fee — and said staff and town counsel can help draft articles for consideration at town meeting.
The Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board on March 17 identified multiple items it plans to pursue as town‑meeting articles, including changes to recreational scalloping days, a proposed no‑wake zone, revisions to the commercial apprenticeship rules and a ferry embarkation fee.
Board members said changing Monday/Tuesday recreational scalloping into a town‑meeting article is likely required and pledged spring outreach to people who previously commented so the board can draft language that reflects current fishery conditions. The chair asked staff to invite commenters and stakeholders to discuss draft language in advance of a final article.
The board also discussed a proposed no‑wake zone and agreed to consult the harbor master and Natural Resources staff before advancing a formal article. Members said the harbor‑plan update committee has suggested a ferry embarkation fee as well; the board reported the harbor‑plan work is still under review and may inform a future town‑meeting recommendation.
On apprenticeship rules, members noted a recent regulatory change that reduced the required apprenticeship period from 40 days to 25 days and asked staff to circulate the revised regulation text so the board can consider whether additional changes are warranted to attract younger harvesters. The board directed staff to send the revised apprenticeship section to members ahead of the next meeting.
Separately, the group discussed a previously drafted legislative amendment intended to exempt advisory‑board fishermen from certain conflict‑of‑interest restrictions under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A. A board member said that measure had cleared both legislative chambers but was effectively pocket‑vetoed and recommended refiling in a future legislative session.
The board said it expects to prepare at least three to five town‑meeting articles for the coming year and will seek drafting assistance from the Natural Resources Department and town counsel. The group set the next meeting for April 7, 2026, to continue developing article language and stakeholder outreach.
