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Harbor master pitches in‑house dock building, pump‑out grant and transient revenue options
Summary
Harbor master Jeff Laruso reported 455 slips and 207 moorings, described in‑house dock construction that saved roughly $800,000, outlined a pump‑out system funded by a state grant and discussed options to accommodate larger boats and short‑term transient dockage.
Jeff Laruso, the village’s harbor master, walked trustees through harbor operations, slip and mooring inventories, recent capital work and revenue options.
Laruso said the village maintains 455 slips (including kayak racks) and 207 moorings, and that harbor staff track registrations and insurance to ensure coverage for incidents such as sinkings or fuel spills. “We have a total of 455 slips,” he said when describing the marina footprint and customer services.
He highlighted capital improvements since 2020—new gangways, winter kayak storage and in‑house dock construction—and said building docks in‑house saved the village about $800,000 compared with hiring an outside contractor. Laruso recounted emergency responses, including retrieving a dock that broke loose during a recent blizzard and addressing a few sunken vessels at the docks.
On near‑term projects, Laruso reported a state environmental grant awarded for a new pump‑out system that he expected to be installed shortly. He also discussed possible marina redesigns to accommodate larger (25–35 foot) boats, noting that reducing the number of slips in favor of larger berths could increase revenue even if the total slip count falls.
Trustees asked about ad hoc transient dockage for events and local businesses (such as a bait shop bringing 5–6 skiffs). Laruso said minor extensions or temporary reserved spots could be feasible but estimated a three‑pilings plus gangway dock extension at roughly $30,000, noting payback depends on utilization.
Laruso also described maintenance savings: as a certified Mercury mechanic, he maintains two police boats and the harbor‑master boat and said that in‑house parts purchases and repairs save the village about $30,000 per year.
The board discussed online payments and reservation workflows; staff said an integrated document‑management and payments system is being implemented that will support online mooring and permit payments once launched. No policy vote occurred; the board will consider capital needs and potential design work in the capital‑budget process.
