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Essex harbor commission updates mooring and access wait lists, flags small‑craft sticker rule
Summary
The Essex Harbor Management Commission on June 25 approved routine financial items and reimbursements, reviewed mooring and Bushnell Access wait lists (including an offered permit and pending documentation), and said it will notify small‑craft owners about Public Act 26‑60’s new sticker requirement.
The Essex Harbor Management Commission approved routine financial actions and then turned to harbor operations during its June 25 meeting.
Harbor Master Paul Riggio told the commission that most of the harbor “is working well,” but that markers K and J are currently out of position and should be reset to previously agreed GPS coordinates; he and Commissioner Jeff Going agreed to measure the distance from J to K and coordinate repositioning. Riggio also reported new and updated entries on mooring and public‑access wait lists.
The commission was told one new mooring permit application (Geoffrey Storms) had been added since the previous meeting, bringing the mooring wait list to 19 entries (15 in the Main, three in the Meadows and one in Middle Cove). Mooring applicant Robert Osborn (position 2) was offered a permit; the commission recorded that his application paperwork has been submitted and documentation is pending. Mooring permit holder Joe Pelletier has obtained a replacement boat and will provide updated documentation next week; Stewart noted Pelletier remains interested in the Assistant Harbor Master position.
On public access, staff reported three new Bushnell Access wait‑list applications since the last meeting and that the Bushnell Access wait list currently contains 32 applications. Kristie Barber submitted two Bushnell Access applications on June 1 but had not paid the required fees by the June 25 deadline and was advised to make payment; her payment remained pending.
The commission also discussed compliance with a new state law. Riggio said Public Act 26‑60 requires identifying stickers for small vessels such as kayaks and that he will prepare a communication to Bushnell Access permit holders explaining the requirement.
The meeting included routine budget reporting (May 2026 closing balance $51,021.53) and the approval of two smaller payments: $233.83 for EHMC administrative support and reimbursement of $276.07 to a member who purchased a Mack Lane ladder (the member abstained from that vote and noted he installed the ladder himself and that dock rollers are still needed).
The commission did not take votes on dredging or larger capital projects at the meeting and recorded no public comments.
