Weirs Docks

[No Wake Zone]

I saw that the Wolfeboro Dock Company started work on the new docks at the Weirs, they also did the town docks in Wolfeboro, which came out great, it's going to be a big improvement.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by No Wake Zone

I saw that the Wolfeboro Dock Company started work on the new docks at the Weirs, they also did the town docks in Wolfeboro, which came out great, it's going to be a big improvement.

That is great news!

Thanks!

Dan

[Mr. V]

Speaking of docks, are they any webcams that give boaters a complete view of the Weirs docks and also the Wolfeboro docks?

More than once I've traveled across the lake, hoping to find an open dock, only to see they're all taken.

A webcam would allow boaters to see in advance how busy things are, thus preventing needless trips.

[Patofnaud]

A nice article about this was in LDS a month ago. I'm surprised no one started this topic earlier.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...2e714fcfb.html

Major takeaway that bothered me;

"State Rep. Charlie St. Clair (D-Laconia) had previously suggested councilors consider installing parking meters on the docks, similar to those already in place along Lakeside Avenue, and Ward 2 Councilor Robert Soucy expressed support for the idea, but no action has been taken to that effect."

I respect Charlie for all the effort that he has put into Bike Week, but IMHO metering the docks will be bad bad bad.

1. Weirs is my homeport and so many times I've docked just to walk up to the boardwalk and/or pier only to find my destination closed for various reasons while the website said it was open, and then walked back to the boat and went somewhere else or home. But as it's a nice day for a walk/boat it is no harm, no foul. If I also am out cash for that walk/boat,,, I'll think twice before going.

2. You pay for a spot, then someone moves your boat to make room to fit another boat in, now you are out of compliance and could be ticketed.

3. Now you also have to police who is expired and who is not.

4. Not every boat owner is rich. Some of us are retired locals who have lived in Laconia for years and are paying the Laconia taxes, and state taxes/fees sent to the DES that are upgrading these docks.

IMHO, just take the increased funds from the increased dock capacity (like Wolforor and Merideth have done successfully) and call it a win without trying to dig more money out of my retired pocket.

If anything, hire some summer kids to crew the docks for tips.

[Descant]

This is great news for the Weirs and boaters.

I have to say, however, that if they've been planning for years, annual contributions to a capital reserve fund would have enabled the city to pay cash. CRF have been earning ~3-4% for the last several years, which to me, is better than paying bond interest. The LDS mentioned a 20 year bond, probably about the life expectancy of new docks. Sigh. Water over the dam, now.

[John Mercier]

Can you prefund with a TIF?

[fatlazyless]

Before Lakeside Ave, the main street at Weirs Beach was upgraded in about 2017 from individual parking meters to kiosk parking monitors, every space had a parking meter and the city still has all those old parking meters stored away.

Why not use all these old parking meters by installing them on the new docks? They require 25-cents in nickels, dimes, or a quarter for every hour which would be a reasonable low price to park a boat at the new Weirs dock.

Just think ...... 25-cents for one hour of Weirs Beach dock space ....... such a deal! .......

[Patofnaud]

"Water over the dam, now."

Orrr,,, water under the docks..

(Ok I'll let myself out)

[AC2717]

we pay enough with boating fees and now the new sticker fee,
the cost to operate would be more than it generates

[AC2717]

here is the camera stream from the pier (East Coast Flight craft) you can see the excavator in the distance this morning

https://ffff7f0000011.click2stream.com

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by AC2717

we pay enough with boating fees and now the new sticker fee,
the cost to operate would be more than it generates

That isn't that unusual for the City of Laconia.

[Excalibur]

When I use the town docks, like most people, I go there to spend money at the town's businesses.

If there was a general dock fee monitored by dock hands, it would be fine, as they could help coordinate and enforce time limits. However, a parking meter for a boat is not a good idea, since a boat can easily be moved.

[TomC]

They likely would not do it that way. Presumably, they would simply have you enter your bow numbers into a kiosk or phone app and have you pay for your requested time... when the Meter (Mer)maid comes by, all that has to be done is enter the bow number into a handheld device to confirm the fee has been paid. Won't matter if the boat is moved, or over-paid and left early. The next boat pays anyway - no using leftover time.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by TomC

They likely would not do it that way. Presumably, they would simply have you enter your bow numbers into a kiosk or phone app and have you pay for your requested time... when the Meter (Mer)maid comes by, all that has to be done is enter the bow number into a handheld device to confirm the fee has been paid. Won't matter if the boat is moved, or over-paid and left early. The next boat pays anyway - no using leftover time.

One more reason not to visit Weirs, IMO.

[ishoot308]

If they had volunteer dock hands, enough money would be made in tips alone to make it beneficial for everyone! The volunteers get the tips, the local establishments get the business and the boaters enjoy a chaos free docking environment...

Dan

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

If they had volunteer dock hands, enough money would be made in tips alone to make it beneficial for everyone! The volunteers get the tips, the local establishments get the business and the boaters enjoy a chaos free docking environment...

Dan

I'd much rather see the money go to dock hands than in the city coffers for them to waste.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

If they had volunteer dock hands, enough money would be made in tips alone to make it beneficial for everyone! The volunteers get the tips, the local establishments get the business and the boaters enjoy a chaos free docking environment...

Dan

How many people tip the dock monitors in Wolfeboro or Glendale? I think in Wolfeboro, they are town employees and like other towns, not allowed to accept tips or other gifts.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Descant

How many people tip the dock monitors in Wolfeboro or Glendale? I think in Wolfeboro, they are town employees and like other towns, not allowed to accept tips or other gifts.

Glendale as you know is a private dock for the town of Gilford. The two workers there are town employees with a salary and benefits that we as town people pay for therefore tipping would not be protocol in my opinion. I do however usually get each of them a gift certificate for a local area restaurant at the end of the season as they do a great job.

The Weirs are a public dock and if the town allowed volunteers with a signed hold harmless agreement, I bet many people would tip…only cheapskates wouldn’t tip!! I know I sure would! Look at the tips the dock attendants make at the Naswa! Great summer job for young people too!

Dan

[John Mercier]

Not sure how that brings funds into the city coffers though.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Not sure how that brings funds into the city coffers though.

Making the docks more user friendly would attract more visitors to the Weirs who in turn spend more money. Keeping those food establishments busy brings in more meal's taxes.

[John Mercier]

Meals & Rental taxes go to the State.
A portion is redistributed locally, but I believe that is based on population of each municipality... not where the tax was collected.

The TIF only works if the property within the tax increment zone increases in value more than it naturally would without investment - which is always hard to place a hard number on.

I would use a Special Assessment District, and allow the property owners in that district to voice support or opposition.

[Woodsy]

Unfortunately, I was unable to make the City Council meeting on the subject of the docks! I am excited that the City FINALLY stopped treating the Weirs like a black sheep cousin and stepped up to redo the docks. That being said, I hope they were smart enough to make the jetski parking in the "lagoon" on the backside of the docks. This just requires a few more posts closer together than the primary docks.

But its the Laconia City Council soooo we will see!

Woodsy