The Jamestown Boat Yard has been sold to Safe Harbor, the largest owner and operator of marinas in the world.
Headquartered in Texas, the company owns nearly 80 boat-yards in the United States, including nine marinas in Rhode Island following the Dumplings purchase.
With news of the sale, and after receiving more than 50 letters opposed to the dredging project, the town councilors tabled a decision Tuesday night on whether to act on that matter.
Town Administrator Jamie Hainsworth, at his first business meeting since being appointed chief executive Dec. 16, recommended the postponement. He said the municipal legal team wants more time to “digest this large amount of material.”
President Mike White agreed with Hainsworth. “We are still gathering information,” he said.
The attorney consulting Hainsworth on this matter is Marisa Desautel. Town Solicitor Peter Ruggiero’s firm recused itself.
The concerns, brought forward by The Dumplings Association at the Jan. 6 council meeting, include eelgrass preservation, over-development and public safety. The neighborhood association, which represents more than 125 homeowners in the area, also is concerned about metallic toxins being released into the water column from dredging.
The concern about over-development stems from the sale to Safe Harbor. According to the Rhode Island secretary of state, the deal was filed Dec. 9. Neighbors believe Safe Harbor’s goal is to cater to transient boaters with 60-foot yachts that have 10-foot drafts. The boatyard, however, has said the project is “for the sole purpose of operational efficiency and safety,” according to attorney Christian Infantolino.
According to an application submitted in September to the state coastal council, the boatyard is seeking an assent to dredge “approximately 2,100 cubic yards.” The application also requests permission for the “relocation and expansion of the floating portion of the marina.” According to the marina, the expansion of 145 feet of dockage would allow workers to maintain boats at their slips without having to transfer them back to their moorings during low tide.
What the council has the authority to do is unclear. If they do want to protest the project, the councilors have discussed writing a letter of opposition to the state, although the petition process ended Sept. 18. The Coastal Resources Management Council has jurisdiction over the application.
The council decided to revisit the matter at its Feb. 3 meeting.
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