Selectmen debate commercial-vessel landing permits, motion to add six permits fails

Selectmen met Wednesday, June 4, to consider requests for additional commercial-vessel landing permits tied to town docks and to discuss broader docks-and-wharves policy.

The discussion centered on whether one operator should receive multiple vessel permits for boats that would visit town docks intermittently. Selectman Linda (Select Board member) said the town ordinance was written for a single commercial vessel and expressed concern about approving six permits for one business, saying she would "not vote to grant all 6." Selectman Paul (Select Board member) and Selectman John (Select Board member) described competing views about legacy operators — such as the Millie Bee, a mailboat and the Mount Washington — that the board has historically treated differently.

Why it matters: The permits affect how commercial operators use limited dock space in downtown Wolfeboro, influence residents’ and visitors’ ability to load and unload, and shape enforcement needs and potential revenue or maintenance burdens for the town.

Most important facts: A motion to approve six additional commercial vessel landing permits for the applicant was moved and seconded and then brought to a vote; the motion failed after members cast opposing votes. The board confirmed it had already issued one commercial-vessel landing permit to the applicant earlier in the year. No roll-call vote tally for individual members was read into the record.

Discussion points and next steps: Board members debated three core issues: (1) whether permits should be issued per vessel or per qualified operator, (2) how to enforce limits on boat storage and docking time, and (3) how to avoid "picking winners and losers" by granting exceptions to some operators. Several selectmen said the town’s current Docks & Wharves ordinance is outdated and requires a comprehensive update; multiple members asked that the topic be advanced to a Docks & Wharves workshop and the planning process for 2026 ordinance changes.

Staff direction and constraints: Town staff and the town manager said any substantive ordinance changes would come back to the board after legal review and public workshop(s). Selectmen discussed operational options, including scheduled landing windows and adding a paid dock attendant to monitor compliance, but made no binding assignment at the June 4 meeting.

Community perspective: The applicant addressed the board and said his vessels do not "live" at the town dock, that rentals arrive, drop off passengers for short periods, and leave, and that his business model relies on having backup boats available. Several residents and selectmen noted longstanding tensions between commercial operations and residents needing short-term pickup/drop-off spaces.

Ending: The board left the matter unresolved for this meeting, issued one permit to the applicant for the season, and directed the issue to be reviewed in the Docks & Wharves workshop and broader Docks & Wharves ordinance revision for 2026.