Workload is 'almost undo-able.' Call for designated harbormaster in Bourne renewed.

BUZZARDS BAY — The Bourne Shore and Harbor Committee is considering creating an independent, full-time harbormaster post within the town's Department of Natural Resources, now that a new director for the job is pending interviews.

The advisory panel sent a May 20 letter to Town Administrator Marlene McCollem and the Select Board advocating that approach; to free a new Department of Natural Resources director from daily harbormaster duties and that particular job responsibility.

The committee’s sentiment isn’t new, members said May 16.

McCollem in a May 17 email, however, said she does not plan “to re-organize the functions or duties of the DNR at this time and does not intend on presenting a reorganization plan to the Select Board.”

McCollem said Department of Natural Resources director interview dates should be completed by May’s end. She said job applications were “received in confidence,” and no names will be released until her recommendation to the Select Board. The director is a 40-hour per week position.

Shore and Harbor Chair Rich Libin said the committee has historically weighed in on the director appointments. The last report to the Select Board came prior to the late George Weinert being selected by former Town Administrator William Griffin; with the idea then of overhauling the Bourne shellfishery and its management.

“The amount of work the town asks the DNR director to do daily is almost un-doable,’ Libin said. “The director doesn’t have the time to do the work that otherwise needs to be done. That (daily) work boils down to the flavor of the day. I think we need a full-time designation for harbormaster within the DNR.”

Shore and harbor member B. Paul Bushueff said the panel should “take a stand on how Waterways Fund money is distributed each year” and how that could help with a designated harbormaster slot; for which there would be the need for a job description, he added.

Committee members agree such a position would help with revenue enhancement, water safety along a 60-mile shoreline and overall administration of waterways issues.

“We also would need someone who is good with people,” member Andrew Campbell said.

In the letter to town officials, Libin said there is an “urgent need” to fill the top Department of Natural Resources post “at the earliest possible convenience.”

"Due to the complexities of the department and the needs of the waterways and shoreline,” he said, the committee believes the Department of Natural Resources and town would be better served by two individuals, one acting as the director and one as the harbormaster.

“We’re not proposing to create two separate departments; but one that would support the director remaining as the head of the DNR and the harbormaster who would directly report to the director.”

Why does Bourne need a harbormaster

Under a new arrangement, Libin says a designated harbormaster would oversee the waterways, dredging, mooring, boat ramps, pump out boats and shore stations, “leaving the numerous other department duties directly with the DNR director."

The top Department of Natural Resources post has been advertised by McCollem’s office. Under the town charter, she makes department head appointments that are subject to veto by the Select Board.

“The Select Board has not discussed any departmental changes as that is operational and under the jurisdiction of the town administrator,” board chair Mary Jane Mastrangelo noted in a May 16 email. “The town administrator has not notified the board of any departmental changes.”

Department of Natural Resources director background requirements include a bachelor's degree in Environment Sciences and at least five years of experience as a natural resources officer. Also: successfully completing the Massachusetts Certified Harbor Master program and Basic Reserve/Intermittent Police Academy training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The town employed an independent and designated harbormaster until 1972 when the position, long carried within the Bourne Police Department on a seasonal basis, was integrated into the new Department of Natural Resources.

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