Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Sewer Transport topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North Haven board presses ferry officials after state ferry halts chemical deliveries; town plans island transporter use
Summary
Select Board members were told Dec. 4 that the state ferry service can no longer carry chemicals to North Haven pending licensing updates, potentially raising water/sewer costs from roughly $7,150/year to an estimated $35,000/year; the board voted to contact an island transporter and seek clarification from ferry leadership and state officials.
On Dec. 4 the North Haven Select Board heard that the town’s usual ferry carrier has been told it cannot transport chemicals to the island while it updates licensing, forcing the town to secure a private island transporter for chlorine and other water/sewer chemicals.
Town staff (Kylie) told the board that Alexander Anderson of the state ferry service informed her the ferry lacks the required permit or endorsements and therefore cannot deliver the town’s chemical shipments. Kylie said the immediate estimate for using the island transporter is about $35,000 per year versus the town’s prior annual cost of roughly $7,150. The difference would substantially increase operating costs for the water and sewer departments.
Board members discussed operational and safety implications, noting that shipments typically arrive as four pallets (about 20 30‑gallon barrels) and that chemical potency and storage constrain how much the town can stockpile. Select Board members asked staff to seek a clearer explanation from ferry management (Bill Gary) and to contact other island communities to determine whether the ferry policy affects them as well.
Because the ferry restriction appeared to be immediate, the board voted by voice to authorize staff to contact the island transporter and attempt to schedule a shipment to secure ongoing disinfectant supplies. Board members also discussed interim options, including asking individuals or alternate carriers to obtain the proper HazMat endorsements for longer‑term continuity.
Town officials said they will ask the ferry leadership for dates on permit renewal and details about whether the limitation applies only to North Haven or to other islands. Board members discussed coordinating letters to state officials and urged staff to explore reimbursement options for unbudgeted transport costs.
The board took the procedural step of contacting the island transporter and will follow up with the ferry service and state contacts to determine whether the ferry will resume chemical deliveries once licensing is renewed. No formal vote changing water/sewer rates or budgets was taken; the board discussed budgeting options if the transport cost increase is sustained.
