City Government The Harbor Commission consists of 7 full members and 3 alternate members. The Commission serves as an advisory Board to the Harbormaster and the City Council, establishes operational policy and procedures, budgets and capital improvement priorities for the Harbor and Harbor Park. The Commission meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm in City Hall. All meetings are open to the public.
The 2012 season was framed by several changes to the Harbor and its operations. The role and responsibilities of the Harbormaster changed significantly. We now have a full-time Harbormaster who will focus on the needs of the Harbor during boating season but will spend most of the winter months working with the Highway Department. This allows the Harbormaster to work year round with the Commission and the City as we develop long range plans for the Harbor and the Park. Adam Wilson replaced Randy Heckman as Harbormaster in July.
The new slips and a pump out station that was added in 2011 have proven very popular. The slips were booked throughout the season with the designated transient slips getting frequent and sustained usage. We have promoted the Harbor facilities and the City itself in some cruising publications which has resulted in several coastal cruisers stopping in and spending a few days with us. We continue to promote the Harbor and the City and are pleased with the results thus far. Most of the mooring spaces were filled and active while the numbers of day boaters and park visitors showed an increase of 14% over the previous season.
This fall (2012) will see the decommissioning of the current Waste Water Treatment Plant which will allow for the expansion of Harbor Park once the old building is removed. The Commission has been working with the City Manager on plans for how to best use the additional space. The immediate result will be that Harbor Park will become a more pleasant environment for recreational enjoyment. The grills that the Ellsworth Rotary Club donated and installed last year seemed to be getting daily use as the park becomes a more popular place for recreation and family time. We have also made the park an area where people can bring their dogs, just be mindful that the City does have a Leash Law so be considerate of others.
Stay tuned, lots of good things are in the planning stages, which will make Ellsworth Marina and Harbor Park more of a long term destination rather than a quick scenic pit-stop.
Harbor Commission Members
Mark Remick, Chair
James Bergin, Vice Chair
Robert Merrill, Secretary
Lawrence Emerson
Frank Pierson
Candy Perkins
David Wells
Alternates
Raleigh Ehrlenbach
2 Vacancies
Honorary Member
Reginald Kane