RAYMOND – Further details emerged this week regarding a proposed floating food vending operation that the proprietor hopes to open this summer at Raymond Beach.

Jeffrey Pomeroy, a resident of Egypt Road, Raymond, spoke at the Raymond Board of Selectmen’s monthly meeting on Tuesday. Pomeroy is hoping to receive approvals prior to his planned opening of the Black Ghost Cafe? on Memorial Day weekend in late May.

The cafe? would be located on an enclosed pontoon boat at the end of a 116-foot wooden dock Pomeroy would build off Raymond Beach. The restaurant would be located at the end of the dock, which would be 6-feet wide and have a 20-foot “T” section at the end.

The Board of Selectmen closed Raymond Beach last summer after trash and high bacteria counts were found at the beach. Pomeroy came forward in the fall with a proposal to bring a food vending operation to the beach as a way to utilize and monitor the popular summer destination. Since Pomeroy would agree to pick up trash and monitor the beach, swimming would be reinstated as well.

Pomeroy is hoping to receive a five-year commitment from the town, but selectmen, led by Chairman Joe Bruno, were leaning toward 1-year licenses contingent on performance guarantees. Most notably, selectmen showed concern regarding the cleanliness of Raymond Beach, parking issues, fire safety and water contamination.

Pomeroy aims to install two Fryolators for fried food, a grill for hamburgers and hotdogs, a portable generator, two commercial-sized refrigerators and plastic holding drums for gray and fresh water. He plans to service drive-up boaters and people approaching on the dock.

Pomeroy said he would have a system for hauling the gray water and used grease down the dock and up to his vehicle. He said he’s received permission from the town’s code enforcement officer to dump the gray water into his septic system at his home, something that concerns the code enforcement officer, Chris Hanson.

“My issues have been from the beginning that I’m concerned about the water supply to this restaurant, how much water it’s going to use, and the gray water disposal,” he said. “What he’s talking about is taking his wastewater, lugging it in a 50-gallon drum- I’m assuming with a dolly – down a 100-foot dock, up the beach, through the parking lot to a truck and then from there to his home.”

When asked if he could plumb the boat, Pomeroy said any piping would constitute the operation as a fixed structure, which would threaten state licensing.

The Portland Water District, which doesn’t have jurisdiction at the site, has been meeting with Raymond officials regarding the proposal. According to spokeswoman Michelle Clements, “while we would have no authority in that area, we would share our opinion with regard to the lake and potential impacts to water quality.”

Hanson said he wouldn’t sign a town-issued portable peddler’s license until the state signs off on the operation, which is currently under review. But because the Black Ghost Cafe? wouldn’t be considered a fixed commercial structure, Pomeroy would escape the regulations governing restaurants, much of which focuses on fire code. However, since selectmen have the final say, Pomeroy has had to produce a business plan that details the operation of the cafe.

Selectmen said they want to work with Pomeroy on what selectmen said could ultimately be a successful operation for Pomeroy and an enjoyable destination for area residents. To that end, the board, which usually only meets once a month, has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, April 12 at 4 p.m. at the broadcast studio beside Jordan-Small Middle School to further discuss issues surrounding the operation.

Raymond Fire Department officials are expected to share their concerns. The public is welcomed to attend and comment on the proposed operation as well.