Harbormaster budget recommended; harbor usage fee noted for offshore wind traffic

The Committee on Administration and Finance recommended approval of the Harbormaster’s FY2027 personnel and expenditures budgets after a presentation by Harbormaster Bill McHugh.

McHugh said there are “no major changes to the budget for fiscal year 2027” and that the department shifted some past monies to mitigate fuel‑cost escalation. He said patrol schedules depend on weather and seasonal demand and that the department expects to add some part‑time help but not new full‑time positions this year. Federal grant programs and a winter‑storage revolving account have helped keep equipment costs off the general fund.

Councilors asked about the Pickering Wharf fire and city costs. McHugh said emergency response would use city resources when necessary, but removal of the vessel and cleanup were covered by the vessel’s insurance. On offshore wind planning, McHugh said the heavy‑lift port (Salem Offshore Wind Terminal) is overseen by the Salem Harbor Port Authority, which recently adopted a harbor usage fee for vessels that do not otherwise pay for waterway services; those funds are held by the port authority.

Councilor King moved to recommend approval of the Harbormaster personnel budget in the amount of $414,000 and the expenditures budget in the amount of $60,299. Both motions were seconded and recorded as carrying by the committee (four hands in favor), bringing the department total to $474,299 for FY2027.

McHugh also discussed coordination with police for enforcement and the use of signage and cameras at dumping hotspots; he said marinas require proof of insurance for stored vessels and noted mutual‑aid relationships for marine incidents. The committee forwarded the Harbormaster recommendations for inclusion in the FY2027 budget process.