HarborsThe Town Council approved new fees introduced by the Harbors Department and approved by the Harbors Committee for riparian moorings and a base fee for charter and commercial permit holders. Riparian moorings are those owned by a landowner whose property is contiguous with the water. Under Rhode Island law, property owners have riparian rights to access the shore and water. On Block Island, waterside property owners may have one riparian mooring.
Harbormaster Kate McConville reported to the Town Council on April 4 that there were currently six riparian moorings in the Great Salt Pond and theproposed fees for those moorings would be consistent with those for a resident mooring. Currently there is no charge for riparian moorings, while a resident mooring acquired from the town costs $200 plus a vessel fee of $3.75 per foot.
The Harbors Department also recommended a first-year base fee for charter and commercial permits at Old Harbor. The town rents slip permits for charter and commercial vessels at the dock in Old Harbor, and charges a permit fee once a vessel is registered to the slip.McConville reported that last year she had issued two permits, but the individuals had never completed their paperwork
