Kingston Harbormaster Cracks Down on Boat Mooring Deadline
About 22 boat owners risk losing spots as long-unenforced rule takes effect
KINGSTON, MA - July 2 - Kingston's harbormaster is taking a hard line on enforcing a long-standing rule requiring boat owners to have their vessels in the water by July 1st or risk losing their mooring spot.
At Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting, Harbormaster Tom Taylor reported that about 22 boat owners have failed to comply with the July 1st deadline. While he has extended the cutoff to the following Monday, Taylor made it clear that those who don't meet the new deadline will forfeit their spots.
"I have about 22 that do not have them in, which means it's in the rules and regulations that they lose their spot, and we start on the list again," Taylor told the board. "I am going to extend it to Monday. So if you don't get it in by Sunday, you're out."
Taylor explained that while the rule has been on the books for years, it has never been strictly enforced until now. "It's been in place for many years, and it's just never enforced," he said. "This is the third year we've been pushing along and pushing along, and I've heard every excuse, every single one you can imagine."
With approximately 70 people on the waiting list for mooring spots, Taylor argued it was time to take a firmer stance. He pushed back against suggestions to further extend the deadline or personally notify non-compliant boat owners.
"The police chief tried to get me to go house to house on Tuesday to the 20 people with him and explain to them what was going on," Taylor said. "And sorry, I'm not doing that. I don't have time to do that. It's been in play for too long. And it's just kind of ridiculous at this point."
Selectman Tyler Bouchard supported Taylor's position, noting: "There's been some people that are like that and there's rules for a reason and if they're not enforced, what are we supposed to do? Because there's 70 people waiting to get on that."
Taylor did clarify that he has been willing to make exceptions for boat owners who provided legitimate reasons for the delay. "I actually have four people that have called and said that they have an engine problems or, you know, give me a reason why they're not in. And I accepted that," he said.
The harbormaster recounted one particularly determined boat owner who went to great lengths to explain his situation. "Actually had a guy call me with a video of him last night trying to start the boat in his backyard and it wouldn't start, which you don't quite have to go that far, but you know, so he got a pass too," Taylor said.
He emphasized that while he's willing to be reasonable, simply ignoring the deadline without communication is no longer acceptable. "So I mean, you know, if you have a good reason, that's, I'll accept that, but just not calling or anything and thinking you're going to fly along. We can't do that anymore," Taylor stated.
As the extended deadline approaches, it remains to be seen how many of the remaining non-compliant boat owners will secure their spots or face losing them to those on the waiting list.
For Kingston boat owners still hoping to keep their mooring spots, the message is clear – get your vessel in the water by Sunday, or be prepared to explain why not.