The council voted to provide legal counsel to the harbor commission and asked the commission to gather information and return with a recommendation on the CRMC application for property at 10 Minnesota Road (file 2025-07-044). The motion directed the harbor commission to collect surveys, stakeholder input and legal analysis and to present findings at its next meeting.

Bella Ehrlich, the applicant, addressed the council and said the removable float and narrow access are intended to provide safer access to the water for family members, including an older parent who has difficulty descending the shore. "We have no intention of doing anything... it's mostly extended family," Ehrlich said, adding the structure is narrow and intended primarily for access, not for commercial boat slips.

Residents and harbor stakeholders urged caution. Neighbors and harbor users raised concerns about precedent, public access along the shore, structural vulnerability in winter storms, eelgrass and impacts to recreational and commercial operations. The harbor master and harbor commission members stressed the area’s exposure to winter storms and expressed concern about the durability and public-safety implications of a permanent pier in that location.

The applicant’s attorney said the application seeks a recreational boating facility (a private dock in CRMC terminology) and that CRMC has primary jurisdiction for the marine structure; local review and comment were still relevant for zoning and related town permits. The council approved a motion to authorize legal counsel to advise the harbor commission on this matter and asked the commission to return with a recommendation at the council’s next scheduled meeting. The motion passed with aye votes.

Next steps include distribution of submitted surveys and materials through the town clerk to stakeholders, collection of public comment for the harbor commission's review, and legal advice to ensure the commission's recommendation is legally informed before the council offers formal comment to CRMC.