There is a Town-wide moratorium on the number of boats we will allow moored in our waters, whether by anchor or dock, and that is further broken down to a moratorium by individual bays, coves, harbors & areas. Just because you see "open water" does not mean that a boat can be placed there. Our waters are considered "multi-use" areas; so in addition to boating and maintaining safe navigation, we consider public access, hunting, fishing, shellfishing, swimming, scenic "open space", and just about anything else you can use the waterfront for. All waters in Massachusetts are considered "Waters of the Commonwealth", with all residents of the Commonwealth having the same privileges to use those waters. So, just because you may be a Town resident and/or own a home on the water, you do not have any more of a priority over any other Commonwealth resident.
For those who are planning to apply to the Wait List, be aware that it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to tell you when your name may come to the top of the List, or which Wait List Areas are more likely to move faster than others, so please don't ask. If an area has very little movement or is essentially a "stagnant" List, we will let you know. When applying for any area, please keep in mind public access points and how you will get to your boat. You should also be aware that having a mooring does not automatically give you the right to leave a dinghy in the water or on the shoreline; so you will still have to consider how you will get out to your mooring.
For those on the Wait List, we will contact you when there is an available spot in the area that you applied for that is sufficient for your boat and your name comes up to the top of the List. Our online Wait List (see documents listed in right hand column), which gets updated at least once a month, is the exact same List we look at if you call or come by the Office; so calling or coming by does not change what's listed on the web site.
