Selectmen approve two Pier buyer permits over Harbor Committee objection; OK additional hoist safety spending

The Selectmen voted to sell two additional buying permits for the town Fish Pier despite objections from the Harbor Committee and several fishermen who said the pier is at capacity.

At a November meeting, Selectman John Robbins moved to issue two buyer permits; the motion passed on a 3–2 vote after Selectmen expressed divergent views about pier congestion and future ordinance changes. Opponents in the audience asked that the decision be returned to the Harbor Committee for further study.

Shortly thereafter the board considered equipment and maintenance recommendations for the pier. Selectmen approved an immediate $2,500 expenditure to install a reduction tank on Hoist #6 aimed at reducing the hoist’s sudden, rapid movement during operations. The Town Manager and Selectmen described the tank as a relatively low‑cost measure to improve safety after complaints that the hoist ‘jumps’ during lifting operations.

The Selectmen also approved a modest, immediate fuel price increase (5 cents) at the pier to cover operating costs and accepted vendor bids for winter salt and snow removal. Several users in the public comment period said the additional permits would further congest parking and hoist access and asked the board to reconsider relying on Harbor Committee recommendations in future decisions.

No ordinance amendments were adopted at the meeting; Selectmen said they intended to continue working with the Harbor Committee on ordinance language, skiff/parking permits and long‑term pier capacity management.