Boat-launch sticker shock

To the editor,

I am a full-time Maine resident. I am a retired, senior citizen living in Biddeford. I have a small boat and I look forward to doing a bit of mackerel fishing in the summer months. The last few years I have always purchased a non-resident sticker to use the boat launch at Pine Point in Scarborough.

I recently went to the town hall in Scarborough to purchase a sticker for this year. I was told by the clerk that “it went up.” I asked how much and was floored to hear that the town wanted $250 for this summer. There is no senior discount nor do they draw a distinction between those that are using the facility for commercial purposes, guides taking out for-hire passengers, collecting revenue for a commercial venture and writing off the $250 vs. recreational fishermen.

The $250 fee is a deal breaker for many Mainers. Last year the fee was $125. A 100 percent increase is a rip-off, plain and simple.

Roderick O’Connor

Biddeford