AVALON – The Avalon Borough administration is proposing changes to the operations and management regulations for the borough-owned Avalon Sport Fishing Center, including an increase in the annual fee for a slip at the center.
The borough council heard a report from Assistant Business Administrator James Waldron on the proposed changes on Monday, Nov. 13.
The center has been a subject of some controversy for a small group of residents who regularly raise concerns at council meetings. At most of those meetings, the council argued that it has no jurisdiction over management issues at the center because they come under the purview of the mayor.
Now council action is needed because of the administration’s proposed changes to the underlying policy that guides the management of the center’s operations. That policy was previously set by resolution in 2011. The proposed alterations will require passage by the council of a new, updated resolution.
Waldron said the goal was to have the changes in place for the 2024 season. That may necessitate a council vote at one of its two meetings in December.
Among the changes discussed at the Nov. 13 meeting was a hike in the annual fee for a slip at the center. The new fee would be $125 per foot, up from $85.
Part of the administration’s justification for the rate hike is the license cost for the marina. According to Waldron, the license for the fishing center marina has expired, and renewing it through the state will cost in the neighborhood of $60,000.
The changes also state that no assignment of slips to another party would be allowed except for individuals who have held a slip for five or more consecutive years. These individuals may assign the slip to a spouse or child, but only once.
Other regulations deal with insurance requirements, the borough’s right of emergency removal at the vessel owner’s expense, the use of the waiting list and the establishment of boat slip assignment priorities.
The draft resolution is 11 pages in length and available through the borough clerk upon request.
Since the policy will be set through a resolution rather than an ordinance, there is no requirement for a public hearing. Those wishing to comment can do so through the public comment portion of every borough council meeting or via the comment period for resolutions on the day that the resolution appears on the formal agenda for a vote.
Avalon does allow remote comment via Zoom for any who elect to attend the meeting through remote access. Agendas are available on the borough website, avalonboro.net.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
