Kennebunkport voters will decide June 13 if they wish to purchase this lot on Langsford Road in Cape Porpoise as a boat launch. The privately-owned property has been used as an informal launch site for many years. Tammy Wells photo

KENNEBUNKPORT – Cape Porpoise may have a public boat launch if voters approve the measure in June.

The Kennebunkport Board of Selectmen and the town’s budget board each gave their unanimous recommendation on Thursday March 30 for the proposal to purchase a property on Langsford Road that has operated as an informal boat launch for many years.

Board members formed a subcommittee to look at options a year ago.

If approved, the launch would be, as selectmen put it, a “dump and go,” that is, there would be no parking for trucks and trailers on the site on narrow Langsford Road.

The property is owned by Harold “Buzz” and Louise Mooney. Under the terms of the proposal that will go to voters, the town would pay $275,000 for the vacant  property, which is situated between a house and Langsford Road Lobster and Fish House.

Selectmen board chair Ed Hutchins said it is the board’s intent that the  property be used as a trailered boat launch for residents, and for owners of moorings at Cape Porpoise. According to municipal records, the property is about .10 of an acre.

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Selectman Jon Dykstra headed the subcommittee which reviewed 17 possible sites, including properties owned by the town, but none of the town sites were found to be suitable. Initially the subcommittee looked at trying to include a launch site for both trailered vessels and kayaks, but will continue to look for a kayak site, he said.

“The Langsford Road site was most desirable,” said Dykstra. “Some (sites) that had potential were an absolute no-go with DEP.”

Dykstra pointed out that the property had been used as a boat ramp for generations by town residents and the fishing fleet, through the generosity of the owners.

“This is a golden opportunity for the town of Kennebunkport to purchase an area where we can have a public boat launch,” said Hutchins. “This one is very special because you can put a large commercial fishing boat as well as a 13-foot Boston Whaler in there on a decent run of tide, and that really is the only place in Cape Porpoise you can do that.”

Louise Mooney on Friday said the property had been in her family for years, owned by her grandfather Carey Sherwood, and then by her father, Joseph Sherwood. It was once the site of a fish house, as were several parcels along the east side of Langsford Road. The property eventually came to her. Louise and her husband Harold said the property became an informal launch years ago.

“We left it unlocked, for a while,” said Harold. But as time passed, and they found a chain with a lock to be necessary – and the Mooney’s would then unlock it when people called. Later, John Green, who owns the adjacent Langsford Road Lobster and Fish House, became the key holder.

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“Our intent is that it will be controlled by some degree of registration of who can use it, and it will be secured, so only people with permission will (have) access,” said Dykstra.

Hutchins noted the town already has the money to purchase the property in the capital reserves account. Town Manager Laurie Smith said with the proposed purchase, along with the proposed use of $600,000 in the upcoming budget, about $250,000 would remain in the account.

“I personally think it’s a great idea,” and a good investment for the town, said budget board member David James.

Hutchins said over the years, when residents have been surveyed, public access to the ocean has been at the top of the list of desired amenities.

“Frankly I didn’t think that would never come to fruition, given the cost of real estate in this town,” said Hutchins.

Green noted the launch area over the years had been used by fishermen and by a few people in town. At first, a chain and lock wasn’t necessary but over time, that changed.

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“I think it’s a good idea if it’s controlled, and that’s the big question,” said Green of the prospect of a public launch. He said the Mooney’s have been wonderful to make the launch available. “I’m for this if you’re going to control it. If you can’t control it, it will be mayhem down there,” pointing out there have been times when boaters park where they are not supposed to, among other issues.

There was talk of a gate keeper, or scheduling launches.

Dykstra said users would have to be registered with the town and that the lock combination would be changed weekly, or more frequently. He said he believes the launch can be managed responsibly.

Harold Mooney said he and Louise are pleased with the opportunity that presented itself. He noted the family has been part of Cape Porpoise for decades, and that he and Louise have lived in nearby Kennebunk for more than 20 years.

“Whenever we take a walk to the pier and look back and see what we have, we feel so blessed to be a part of it,” Mooney said, and so over the years allowed folks to use the launch area.

That the property has been used as a launch over many years has been a gift in itself, noted Dykstra. Now, he said it will now be offered to the community “to secure (for)  residents and the fishing community as an integral part of town.”

 

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