The Town is planning to purchase the pier properties shown below:

The pier is special to many people and has been an icon on the island for a very long time.  The implications of the Town taking control of the pier are very significant to property owners and other stakeholders.  There are numerous factors that should be considered.

A public hearing is scheduled for July 8th at 7:00PM at Town Hall.  Since many property owners may not be aware of these plans or able to attend the public hearing, now is your opportunity to play a role in determining the future of the pier by communicating your opinions to the Town Commissioners before July 8th.  Their contact information is:

·       Patty Kwiatkowski: [email protected]
·       Michael Sullivan: [email protected]
·       Brian Murdock: [email protected]
·       Gerald Brown: [email protected]
·       Rick Smith: [email protected]
·       Alan Holden: [email protected]

Please include Heather Finnell if you would like your comments to be included in the public record: [email protected].

If you would like to remain anonymous, you can send your comments to the HBPOA at [email protected] and we will make sure they are communicated to the Commissioners.

Some of the key questions that have been raised but not yet addressed include:

• What are the Town’s plans for this property?
  • Use it for public parking?
  • Run it as a pier and charge for access?  Will property owners be charged the same amount as visitors?
  • Lease it out to a private business such as a restaurant?
• Is the pier and building up to code for its intended use?
  • How much investment will be required to make it compliant?
  • What repairs are needed to make it safe?
• How will the purchase and other expenses be covered?
  • Will the Town take out a new loan?  If so, will this loan impact our borrowing capacity for other items (e.g., FEMA project, sewer system upgrades)
  • Will property taxes be increased or a special assessment levied?
  • What are the expected ongoing operating and maintenance costs (including insurance coverage)?
• Is it anticipated the property will generate revenue to help pay for itself?
  • Where will the revenue come from (i.e., paid parking, usage fees, lease payments)?
  • How much is expected per year?
  • What is the expected return on investment (i.e., how many years to pay off the purchase price)?