The meeting’s most significant topic was the proposed fee increases for the harbor master’s department. The director of marine services presented the proposal, which includes raising the annual private mooring fee from $25 to $50, the commercial mooring fee from $60 to $100, and the state boat ramp fee from $5 to $10. Additionally, the seasonal pass fee would increase from $45 to $70, and a new late fee of $100 would be imposed for unpaid waterway fees after May 1. The director compared Westport’s fees to neighboring towns, highlighting that current fees are only a third of those in places like Fair Haven and Dartmouth, causing financial strain on the department.

The director emphasized the department’s financial needs, stating that the increased fees would support necessary improvements such as an automated kiosk at the state boat ramp, estimated at $10,000, and the replacement of a pumpout boat costing around $100,000. Additionally, more seasonal staff are needed, and the town dock requires urgent repairs. The director assured that the fees would be allocated to the waterways enterprise fund and not the general fund, clarifying that a small annual indirect charge is the only exception.

A significant concern discussed was the introduction of a late fee for unpaid charges. The director explained that without penalties, the current honor system leads to delayed payments. Efforts to collect overdue fees involved contacting 352 individuals, some of whom had not owned boats for years. The late fee aims to streamline operations and encourage timely payments, similar to practices in Dartmouth where failing to pay by a deadline results in mooring privilege loss. The timeline for collecting fees was clarified, with an online payment portal launching in January and a May 1 deadline to avoid late fees.

The board also tackled a change order for the waterline project, raising concerns about cost transparency. The change order, attributed to the town’s decision to extend the original project, totals $533,000. The extension, funded by several grants including federal and state allocations, aims to prevent fund loss. The original contract was valued at $3.1 million, with previous change orders totaling $1.2 million. The project, operating on a unit price contract based on actual quantities of materials, includes extensions like Eastbriggs Road and Route 6, connecting local businesses to the public water system.

Concerns were voiced about the contractor’s adherence to Massachusetts DOT standards, with the change orders approaching 55% of the original contract value, exceeding the typical 25% threshold under Massachusetts procurement laws. A resident, Virginia Graham, highlighted issues with Osborne Street’s condition, urging accountability among elected officials. The board discussed the role of the Infrastructure Oversight Committee and the Select Board in project decisions, reflecting ongoing debates over governance and public works accountability.

In addition to fee discussions and the waterline project, the meeting covered updates on town initiatives. The town administrator’s report included progress by the search committee for a new town administrator, narrowing candidates down for interviews. Updates on the town hall HVAC system were provided, with installation challenges related to asbestos tiles being addressed. Grants awarded to various departments were also highlighted, including $87,000 for zoning review and updates, $56,000 for EMS equipment, and $23,390 for public safety concerns.