A Waterways Improvement and Maintenance Fund for the purpose of funding management, enforcement and improvements to waterways within the City shall be established. All waterways management fees and fines collected as a result thereof shall be deposited into this account, with the exception of the first $5 of any waterways management fee which shall be paid into the general fund to cover administrative costs. The Mayor, with a recommendation from the Harbor Commission, shall propose appropriations from the fund to be approved by the Council.
[Adopted 5-17-2005 by Doc. 58 (Ch. 250A of the 1980 Code); amended in its entirety 4-7-2026 by Doc. 1-V]
All motor-driven boats that are moored or docked within the City of Haverhill in excess of two weeks in any calendar year shall register with the City Treasurer and pay an annual waterways management fee. A waterways sticker shall be displayed as evidence that the fee has been paid.
A waterways management fee shall be assessed at the rate per linear foot as provided herein, but not less than $20. Any boat with a marina contract in excess of one month shall be subject to a waterways management fee; however, if the boat owner provides proof of the payment of a waterways management fee to another city or town within the commonwealth no such fee shall be due. Replacement stickers may be obtained for a fee of $10. No waterways sticker shall be issued to any boat owner who owes boat excise tax.
A.
A reflective, adhesive-backed sticker approximately three inches by three inches, which shall change in color each year, shall be issued. The stickers shall be consecutively numbered and recorded, along with boat and owner information. The stickers shall be displayed on the top, starboard side of the transom of the boat.
A.
All marinas within the City shall annually provided a complete listing of all motor-driven boats which are berthed at their docks or use their moorings no later than July 1 of each year to the City Treasurer. All slips and moorings, including those vacant, shall be included. The annual listing shall provided the boat owner's name; home address and telephone contact information; the name, color, size and type of boat and motor; boat registration number; and assigned slip or mooring. A supplemental listing shall be provided on August 1 and September 1 of each year, which shall include all boats not listed in the July 1 listing.
B.
Marinas shall not allow boats to dock in dock slips or on moorings unless the owner of the boat has purchased a valid waterways sticker and said waterways sticker is properly applied to the boat as outlined in § 116-13 of this article.
C.
All dock owners shall grant the Harbormaster or the Harbormaster's designee access to its docks for the purpose of ensuring waterways sticker compliance of all boats on dock slips.
A.
Marinas which fail to submit the listing required in Chapter 116 shall be subject to a fine of $50 per day for every day after the listing is due.
B.
Marinas which fail to grant access to the Harbormaster or the Harbormaster's designee to its docks for waterways sticker compliance enforcement shall be subject to a fine of $500 for each refusal.
A.
Boat owners who keep boats in Haverhill waters and who fail to register and pay an annual waterways fee as required or who fail to properly display the required sticker as required shall pay the following fines.
B.
Prior to issuance of fines, violators shall be given a warning with the opportunity for corrective action. All corrective action (i.e. register boat; purchase waterways sticker) must take place within 10 business days from the date of the warning.
C.
Violators shall have 10 business days to resolve the issue. After 10 business days, if the issue is not resolved the violator is subject to the penalty for a subsequent offense.