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Commission opens debate on temporary dock moratorium, asks staff for data for November review
Summary
Commissioners discussed a possible temporary moratorium on new docks in areas of degraded water quality (including ACEC and sensitive ponds), asked staff to compile counts of existing docks and waterfront parcels without docks, and agreed to revisit the idea at the next quarterly meeting on Nov. 5.
Commissioners discussed a proposal to impose a temporary moratorium on new docks on July 9, focusing on whether a moratorium should be limited to particularly sensitive water bodies (ACECs, natural heritage sites and degraded ponds) or applied more broadly to freshwater and saltwater sites. Shauna, who has led the discussion, said she wants more information on how many waterfront properties lack docks and the recent frequency of dock permits before the commission proceeds.
Dan said the shellfish and harbor offices reported no formal opposition but would continue to provide technical support; the town assessor indicated tax impacts would depend on moratorium length and affected properties. Commissioners discussed exemptions for repairs, emergency or storm‑damage replacement, and grandfathering for longstanding structures.
The group agreed on several interim principles: (1) repairs and storm‑damage work should remain allowable (subject to standard filing and safety review) in the existing footprint; (2) a moratorium could be structured for a limited time (two years was suggested) to allow regulation revision; and (3) the commission should concentrate first on high‑risk water bodies such as Santuette Pond or other ACEC areas.
Commissioners asked staff to compile a townwide inventory of docks and waterfront parcels that currently lack docks, and to provide counts by pond/bay to inform whether a moratorium would affect a few properties or a large segment of the town. Dan offered to assemble the data and requested time to coordinate with the shellfish office; commissioners agreed to reexamine the issue at the November 5 quarterly meeting.
