Swampscott harbormaster requests emergency funds for boat repairs

SWAMPSCOTT – The Finance Committee realized Swampscott harbormaster department was in danger of being underfunded when they received a transfer request for $25,030 to make emergency repairs on their boat.Chairman Don Pinkerton said the department hadn?t budgeted for emergency repairs, and had only $30 left in their budget. He added that he didn?t know if the boat?s bottom had been painted at all since it was purchased years ago.?It?s a matter of protecting a town asset,” said Pinkerton.?The bottom hasn?t been painted in some time, and there?s damage over time that needs to be repaired,” said Chairman Don Pinkerton. “The boat periodically needs maintenance.”Pinkerton said the department had not budgeted for repairs and maintenance this year, but it has already been noted to budget for next year. “I think budgeting for that department needs to be improved,” he said.Assistant Harbormaster Mounzer Aylouche addressed the budgeting issues at a Board of Selectmen meeting May 22, where he appeared to gain approval for a $25 mooring fee to increase revenue for the department. “We?ve been functioning with about $3,000 for our budget,” he said.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].