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Acton Select Board pauses enforcement of proposed mooring ordinance, seeks lake‑association-led rewrite
Summary
After an informational hearing, the Select Board asked town staff to gather clarifying details and recommended convening lake associations with Harbormaster and stakeholders to craft a Mooring Ordinance; Brad Morin advised pausing enforcement while groups work toward a solution.
The Town of Acton Select Board on June 25 held an informational hearing on a proposed mooring ordinance and agreed to pursue more stakeholder work before deciding whether to rescind or enforce the rule.
Brad Morin, invited by the board to present background and answer questions, recommended pausing enforcement of the ordinance so lake stakeholders could help shape a version that meets state requirements while working for residents. Select Board members asked the Town Administrator to gather the outstanding questions and numerical data discussed at the hearing to inform next steps.
Select Board member Tom McGurty proposed convening a representative from each lake association together with Morin, the Harbormaster and a Select Board liaison to draft language that would have broad endorsement from lake communities; McGurty said he would help monitor fees and the process. Chair Daniel Norwood asked whether the Harbormaster should be included in the group; board members agreed that the Harbormaster should participate because that official would enforce the ordinance.
During public comment, Mary Ann Robator asked whether the Harbormaster held the required certification; the Town Administrator replied that certification is required within a set period after appointment and that the policy and its enforcement were on hold until the board decided whether to rescind or move forward with the ordinance.
Multiple residents and lake stakeholders — including speakers identified in the meeting as representing Square Pond and Great East Lake associations — addressed the board with questions and concerns about how the ordinance would affect mooring use and enforcement. The board did not take a final vote; it directed the Town Administrator to compile factual answers and to help organize the proposed meeting of lake associations, Morin, the Harbormaster and a Select Board representative.
The Select Board said it will review the group’s recommendations when they are returned and decide whether to move forward with enforcement, rescind the ordinance, or adopt revised language.
