OPA Community Update: Marina News

There were only a handful of people in the audience at Tuesday night’s Old Orchard Beach Council meeting; OPA was represented by Phil Denison, Marc Guimont and I. The Council voted 5-0 to add amphibious vehicles to the definition of water toy in the ordinance but not to add the language to ban them. Council members argued that motorized vehicles are already banned from Town beaches, that amphibious vehicle use of the beach would require Council approval of a license, that the future use of “ducks” for sightseeing should not be foreclosed, and that the use of amphibious vehicles for construction and support of a marina could/should be considered when and if a marina proposal comes before the Council. It became clear before the vote that Chairman Long was the only Council member in favor of the outright ban.

Phil, Marc and I all spoke briefly in favor of the ban; we were the only speakers on the issue last night. Councilor Frenette, who is typically the most vocal of the Councilors, said that she had received many “well written” emails in favor of the ban, mostly from people she had never heard of – presumably Ocean Parkers: thank you Ocean Parkers!

Phil and I had the chance to introduce ourselves to the new Town Manager, Stephen Gunty, and I expect to meet with him in the coming weeks.

The Council action was upstaged by action at the State level on Monday:
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Saco Bay Development Moratorium Proposed
By Seth Harkness Portland Press Herald Staff Writer March 04, 2008 12:12 PM

A legislative committee is recommending an 18-month moratorium on development in Saco Bay. The Committee on State and Local Government made the recommendation yesterday after meeting to discuss a bill that would have given Old Orchard Beach control of the coastal waters up to three miles off the town's shore. The bill was introduced by Old Orchard Representative George Hogan in response to a lease agreement signed last year between the city of Saco and a developer proposing to build a large offshore marina. Historically, Saco has controlled the waters off Old Orchard. The moratorium would allow the four communities surrounding Saco Bay - Saco, Old Orchard, Biddeford and Scarborough - to come up with a plan that would allow for local input in managing the bay. The moratorium still requires approval from the Legislature.

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The moratorium proposal replaces Hogan’s bill to give OOB control over the Bay waters in front of the Town. It is our understanding that the bill will probably pass the legislature. In addition, the State Attorney General’s Office has ruled that the State owns and controls the Saco Bay waters. The net result of all of this is that it is highly unlikely that there will be further action on the marina proposal in the next 18 months and perhaps ever.

We will continue to keep you updated as events unfold.

Ed Rea
Executive Director
Ocean Park Association
"...more than a day at the beach"
207-934-9068