Wolfeboro sets one-year jet-ski dock license at $1,250 after debate over fee

The Wolfeboro Select Board on March 18 approved a one-year license for the Wolf Road jet-ski operator, setting the 2026 dock fee at $1,250 and rejecting a multi-year automatic renewal language as written in a draft lease.

The agreement under review had an automatic-renewal clause flagged by the town lawyer, who noted the town retains the right to terminate. Board members said they asked staff to shop for comparables before setting a fee. After hearing that a private offer of $4,000 had been made, the board’s majority concluded that $1,250 matched local comparables and accommodated the operator’s long-standing presence while protecting town flexibility.

“$4,000 is way overpriced,” the jet-ski owner told the board during public comment, arguing that Back Bay is shallow and that comparable slips rent for roughly $1,000–$1,500. The owner said the business has invested in equipment and repairs and that a predictable, year-to-year arrangement matters to operations.

A town resident who spoke during public comment described the draft lease as effectively open-ended and questioned whether lease revenue would be sequestered into a revolving fund for dock maintenance. Town staff said that fee revenue will go to the general fund unless the board pursues a warrant article or creates a revolving fund to earmark funds for dock repairs.

Motion: a board member moved to set the jet-ski license fee at $1,250 for 2026; the motion was seconded and approved. One board member announced an abstention during the vote.

The board asked the operator to submit any multi‑year proposal in writing for future consideration; it emphasized that any longer-term arrangement should include explicit language on renewal terms, escalators and maintenance responsibilities.

What’s next: The license approved is for one year; the operator may submit a written proposal if he wishes to offer a multi-year agreement tied to capital or maintenance commitments.