By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Select Board voted to raise shellfishing and parking fees at boat ramps at it’s meeting on Monday, 2/13/23, going with the recommendations of the Town Administrator and not the lower amounts recommended by the Marine Resource Committee.
Town Administrator Angie Lopes Ellison reminded the board that she has asked all departments to review their fees with the goal to increase them to help generate more revenue for the town.
She and Harbormaster Timothy Cox reviewed the license and permits administered by his department, which include shellfish fees, parking at town boat ramps, and other boating related fees.
Mr. Cox told the board that most fees had not been raised at all in the 17 years he has been with the department. He said he got the prices from other towns and, working with Ms. Ellison, came up with some numbers.
The Marine Resources Committee, however, felt that all the increases were excessive, and voted to recommend different amounts (see 1/18/24 issue).
MRC Chairperson Mike McNamara advocated for the recommendations his board made, saying that the board opted to go up “a fair percentage, ranging from 10-30%, which is signficantly less than some of the town’s recommendations, but still a “pretty large leap.”
“Fees is always a spirited debate,” said Mr. McNamara, adding that the board is pretty well informed about some of the increase in expenses that the department faces.
“We’re in tough times right now,” said Mr. Cox.
He told the board that everything the department buys is three or four times more than just a few years ago.
SB member Bob Espindola asked if anyone had calculated what the difference, in real dollars, would be with the changes.
Mr. Cox said they did not “run the numbers,” but “any little more is going to help.”
SB member Stasia Powers agreed that she would like to see the numbers before voting.
Mr. Cox said the shellfish license and the parking permits were time sensitive because they expired on 12/31. People are anxious to get their new ones.
“People are pounding the door,” he said to buy 2024 licenses.
Mr. Cox said the town only sold six commercial shellfish licenses last year because the shellfish beds are mostly closed in other areas. The one or two coves that Fairhaven opens are picked out pretty quickly.
“It’s getting harder and harder for them to go out and earn a living,” said Mr. Cox.
The board discussed the differences with the various towns used for comparison.
Mr. McNamara said his board focused on what the town offers compared to other towns.
Mr. Cox said only Westport transplants more quahogs than Fairhaven. He transplanted 800 bushels in North Cove, and will put 600 in Round Cove. The cost has gone from $6 a bushel when he started, to more than $20 now.
Mr. Cox said the town sells 400-500 recreational shellfishing licenses each year. He also said there are more than 1000 senior buttons out. Seniors, 62+, get a lifetime button that is free. Fairhaven veterans also get free licenses. Other Mass. veterans pay the resident rate.
Mr. McNamara also noted that since they started charging for parking again at Hoppy’s Landing, that fund has “grown significantly,” and will easily pay for the maintenance of the property. He did not give a number. Any fees collected at Hoppy’s Landing can only be spent on the property. Other fees go into the general fund.
In the end, the board decided to vote on shellfish licenses, lobster boat basin fee, and parking fees. They will vote on the other fees after getting more information on the actual numbers.
Recreational shellfish licenses for residents are now $50 (up from $35); for non-residents, $275. Parking for Hoppy’s Landing or Seaview/Pease boat ramps is $10 daily; $70 for a season pass. The lobster basin fee will be $2305.
Other categories will be voted on at a future meeting. In another matter, the board also held a public hearing to transfer the liquor license from the former Margaret’s Restaurant to the new restaurant, Olivia’s.
In a bit of an awkward process, the board had to first transfer the license from Ferry Station LLP to Cullen North Walker Street LLC, then to OEA Restaurant Group, DBA (Doing Business As) Olivia’s Restaurant.
A spokesperson for owner Brandon Roderick said that the two-step process was requested by the Mass. Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC).
SB member Bob Espindola asked why the board did not have the documentation that usually accompanies transfer requests.
Ms. Ellison said the town had all the proper documentation, and that it was simply an oversight that it was not included in the evenings information packet.
Mr. Espindola said that “typically,” there is not much for the board to question. He said as long as the town’s internal requirements were complete and everyone signed off on it, he would be in favor of approving the transfer.
There was no public comment, and the board voted unanimously to approve the transfers.
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