Board approves raising commercial mooring fee to $750 and limits two vessels per commercial account

Trustees discussed complaints about barges and commercial moorings and considered changing the fee structure to reduce congestion and respond to waterfront property concerns.

Kevin, the harbor master, and multiple trustees reviewed photos and complaints about mornings when several commercial vessels occupy moorings. One trustee proposed increasing the commercial fee from $300 to $750 and limiting commercial accounts to two vessels; the motion was made, seconded and the chair called for the ayes. The transcript records the motion and the board’s verbal approval but does not include a roll‑call tally.

Board members asked staff to include the vessel limit and the new commercial rate in the annual mooring letters and to consider enforcement mechanisms if mooring limits are violated.

Why it matters: raising the commercial fee and limiting vessel counts is intended to balance commercial harbor use with residential waterfront concerns and to align local fees more closely with commercial mooring values in other jurisdictions.

Next steps: staff will update the annual mooring letters to state the new fee and two‑vessel limit and will monitor compliance during the season.