Committee discusses harbor master, parking enforcement and animal control; tables accounts pending audited carry-forwards

Committee members discussed harbor operations, shellfish enforcement, parking enforcement reimbursements from the state and the town's new animal control officer before tabling related budget lines pending reconciled carry-forwards.

On harbor and shellfish, staff said the plan is to treat the harbor account as revenue‑generating and keep harbor-generated funds in a segregated account; the harbor master will hold a public meeting where residents and boaters can raise concerns. Committee members asked that the harbor master prepare a short presentation and outline expected revenues and capital needs.

The committee reviewed the parking enforcement account and a recurring reimbursement from the state for beach enforcement. Staff said the town historically receives about $12,500 from state reimbursement and that the committee should ask the Select Board to submit the annual request letter to the state. One member offered to follow up with the town's state representative.

Animal control was discussed as a carry-forward account with variable dog-license revenue; the committee noted the town now has a salaried animal control officer, Emma Hunter. Members agreed to add a contingency line and ask the chief to address whether an unused patrol vehicle could be repurposed for field work. The committee unanimously tabled the parking enforcement and animal control budget items until carry-forwards are reconciled.

The committee will seek documentation on nonprofit/public agency requests that were not submitted this year and will carry forward prior awards where appropriate if no new request is received.