AVALON – The Borough Council passed two resolutions updating operating rules for its Bay Park Marina and the Sport Fishing Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
Assistant Business Administrator James Waldron presented the rules changes to the council. Both marinas will see 25% price increases, new regulations regarding rights of assignment, and alterations to the borough’s right to deal with boats that present a danger or threat to the marinas or other boats. The changes also set parameters for the borough’s right to reject applications for slips.
Waldron said the regulations correct a gap in the allowed length of boats by setting the minimum length at the fishing center at 22 feet, with the maximum length at the Bay Park Marina left at 21 feet.
Most of the attention in the regulation changes was on the Sport Fishing Center, where three charter boat owners raised concerns over the price increase, how charter boat preferences are handled, the length of the defined season and the character of the food and services dispensed in the retail space that is leased from the borough.
Jim Lutz asked the council to consider a payment plan to help commercial charter boats cover the increase in the cost of slip leases. No member of the council responded to that request.
Kevin Dougherty argued that Moran’s Dockside, the retail operation at the fishing center marina, has the advantage of “the cheapest rent in the county,” raising again the argument he has made in the past that favoritism impacts the operations at the marina.
Resident Martha Wright accused the council of not listening to the public regarding the fishing center marina.
Arguments have been made in past meetings that the operation of the fishing center does not entail sufficient verification that a boat designated as a commercial charter boat is indeed conducting charters, the allegation being that rules are manipulated to allow slips to be leased based on friendships rather than regulations.
Borough Administrator Scott Wahl began the discussion of the operating rules changes with a review of an often-raised suggestion, that a waterfront restaurant should be located at the Sport Fishing Center. Wahl said that any attempt to open such an amenity there would entail significant changes to the structure, leading to a need to elevate and/or relocate the building at high expense and possible loss of parking spaces.
The resolutions regarding operations at both marinas were passed unanimously.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
