By JIM RUTLEDGE
Port of Poulsbo commissioner
Fall has arrived with lots of fun and work-related activities at the port and in the port district.
HALLOWEEN. Come see little and big trick-or-treaters at Poulsbo’s downtown Halloween, 4–6 p.m. Oct. 31. Main Street is blocked off for pedestrian traffic only and merchants dish out the treats — excellent costume-watching for everyone.
BIG NEWS. Chip Hanauer (of hydroplane and “Boat Guy” fame), is set to return to Poulsbo in February with “The Boat Guy Winter Rendezvous,” the largest winter boating event in the Northwest.
This is an important boost to our port district businesses during a traditionally slow economic period. More on this and ideas for new off-season activities coming.
WINTER MOORAGE. Open from now until the end of April, the Port of Poulsbo Marina is a great place to keep your vessel over the winter at competitive rates. Call the port office for details.
A BIT ABOUT MARINA WORK AND GRANTS. The port is conducting planned and emergency upgrades to marina infrastructure.
More than $250,000 of repairs to preserve the existing, aging breakwater will be completed in upcoming months. Another $250,000 is budgeted for dock work that ties in with the port’s ongoing commitment to remove creosoted pilings from Liberty Bay.
Urgent planning continues for total replacement of the breakwater, with a modern, floating, pedestrian-friendly structure. Cost will likely be several million dollars, and how to fund the breakwater using port district funds and grant assistance is a major concern.
Other active projects and maintenance include significant upgrades to water and power; and fiberoptic and safety systems, including installation of rescue ladders and additional life rings. In round numbers, the port district is contributing approximately $27,000 and receiving $77,000 in grant assistance for this bundle of projects.
Kudos to the staff for very hard work in recent years instituting professional port policy and practice, allowing the district to compete for these essential types of public funding.
The Port District’s 2016 budget, including planned capital improvements, has been approved and is available for review online.
LIVEABOARD UPDATE. The hearing examiner has given approval for additional liveaboard positions, and the issue now lies with the state Department of Ecology for final review.
PORT QUIZ. Most will know the old pirate ditty, “Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest / Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum.” Where might you find the dead man’s chest? Send your best guess to commissioner.rutledge@portofpoulsbo.com. The first response with the correct answer will be recognized in The Scuttlebutt’s next issue.
YOUR INPUT MATTERS. Please do join us every first and third Thursday at 7 p.m. in the marina multiuse room (on the docks) for meetings of the port district’s Board of Commissioners. Citizen input and participation is very much encouraged.
— Jim Rutledge is a Poulsbo port commissioner. Contact him at commissioner.rutledge@portofpoulsbo.com
