The City Council voted 7-2 Tuesday to initially approve a contract zone to construct a septic system at Wood Island Lighthouse, which would allow for a summer keeper to reside on the premises. The keeper would provide nature and habitat-related programs to the public and oversee the lighthouse when it’s not open for tours.

Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse Chair Brad Coupe spoke to the council regarding the septic system, which would also allow for overnight stays for “small groups of people.”

“If we have a septic system it will enable us to bring this wonderful resource to the community,” Coupe said.

Some councilors took issue with the zoning contract’s wording, specifically the allowance of overnight stays for “small groups of people.” Councilor Michael Ready said he would prefer for the contract to state a specific maximum number of people allowed to stay at the lighthouse’s three-bedroom house, stating the zone agreement is unclear.

Councilor Stephen St. Cyr also questioned how the lighthouse will fund the overnight stays, citing concerns over a potential commercial enterprise.

Coupe said the stays will not be a commercial enterprise, but said asking people to pay for overnight stays is, “simply a function of how we can raise money to sustain ourselves.”

“The questions being asked are very good, very valid questions. Contract zones are not just given out. I’ve voted against contract zones more than I’ll ever vote for contract zones,” Councilor Marc Lessard said, defending the council’s questioning of Coupe to the public. “What’s my definition of small vs. someone else’s definition of small? … With the descriptor of small, it’s less of a situation of trying to denote the exact number of people who are going to be there, but also for the people who are going to be doing this 40 years from now, (to know) what the intent is of today.”

The council ultimately voted to approve the contract zone with members Ready and John McCurry in opposition. The contract zone will now go to a second reading.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].