Harbor users urge board to keep existing ramp available during construction

John Mergus and other harbor users urged the Petersburg Borough Harbor Board May 27 to preserve access to the existing ramp while the new ramp and harbor project proceed.

“My fear is that the present ramp will be decommissioned too quickly and unnecessarily be blocked by the planned placement of a light pole and an electric box,” John Mergus told the board, asking that the two items be moved “a few feet off the dead center of the ramp approach” to maintain a clear approach.

Mergus described the older ramp as having a progressive, banana‑shaped slope that can help some vessels with deep bows re‑launch more easily than the steeper new ramp design. He and other speakers said the old ramp could be useful on very windy days and for short maintenance calls or demolition work on derelict vessels.

Another harbor user said boats taken out for construction must be able to get back into the water in the spring; he said the concern is widely felt among fleet owners and emphasized he personally has two boats that would be affected.

Members thanked the speakers and acknowledged the concern. The board did not take formal action at the meeting but discussed placing the item on a future agenda for further consideration and follow‑up with project planners and engineers.