The Town of Scarborough made recent amendments to Chapter 311, the Schedule of Fees related to moorings, pier use, and boat launch at the Pine Point pier. The proposed increases were adopted by the Town Council during a second reading at their Feb. 15 meeting.

The fee changes were recommended to the Council after the Coastal Waters and Harbor Advisory Committee conducted a full review of all of the coastal waters fees for this area in 2022. The committee reviews fees periodically and made adjustments in 2004 as well as in 2017; however, it had been several years since a full review of coastal waters fees was done. The committee not only looked at fee changes over time, but also took a broader approach by comparing them to coastal communities statewide, and considered the capital needs for sustainable future planning.

The new fee structure brings Scarborough into a range more in line with other Maine municipalities, while also generating the revenue to cover ongoing maintenance. The committee determined that the current fee structures are very nominal for the services provided, and significantly less than those in surrounding communities. Unlike several seasonally operated communities, the Scarborough pier is open and used commercially 365 days per year. Year-round use naturally leads to wear and tear at a faster rate than other communities may face.

The committee is starting to do future planning for a replacement schedule on aging components. Maintenance and infrastructure updates are needed on the waterfront infrastructure: the pier was last replaced in 2011 and the pedestrian walkway needs upgrades.  It is essential for the commercial pier to have the proper up-to-date hoist and equipment for viable daily operations of our working waterfront. The hoists used by the commercial fishermen could be replaced with more modern and user friendly equipment, and the floats on the boat ramps are getting worn and battered. The committee recognizes that an overall replacement of existing infrastructure will need to be planned for in the future. Additionally, predicting future expenditures will need to take into consideration the rising costs to make these repairs and upgrades.

The pier is open for recreational public use and the commercial fishing industry. It is also used by charter fishermen and for recreational boating. All user groups are made up of both residents and non-residents. The fee structure increases would allow for upgrades that benefit all who use the pier and boat launch. Without this change to the fee structure, the costs of infrastructure upgrades would be put on taxpayers. Increasing the fees creates a revenue stream for future infrastructure planning, aligns Scarborough with other Maine communities, and benefits all users.