Vessel owners moored for more than 30 days may find themselves the target of an amended ordinance restricting what some board members perceive as a nuisance.

The public is invited to share its comments as interest in renewed enforcement of the town’s mooring ordinance is aired during the board of aldermen (BOA) meeting, 6 p.m. April 8.

Driven by Harbor Island resident complaints regarding the diminished use of Island Drive and South Channel Avenue mini parks for picnicking and other recreational activities—other than boating and boat access—increased noise levels and parking congestion on narrow island streets during early morning and late evening hours, preliminary discussion was initiated during the March 11 BOA meeting. Mayor David Cignotti noted that on peak holiday weekends last year, there may have been as many as 15 boats moored in both locations.

"If we’re going to continue to do that, we need some form of control," Cignotti said. Active enforcement measures were discussed, including increased presence of the town’s marine patrol boat for monitoring and enforcement, the use of designated mooring balls and the assessment of fees for a permit-based service to offset fuel and personnel costs associated with enforcing the ordinance.

Long time Island Drive resident, Harold King said, "Harbor Island, when it was put together, didn’t put the parks in for people to put boats in."

King said if boats were to continue to be permitted, parking needed to be controlled and policed, not complaint driven.

The continuation of a public hearing regarding the erection of a Sprint/Nextel back-up generator at the town’s north end water tower will resume. Other hot-button topics of resident concern will be discussed during the regular agenda, including restricted parking on North Harbor Island and a moratorium on the use of breakwaters, seawalls, bulkheads and groins within town waters.

Town manager Bob Simpson will also present staff recommendations for use of the Wrightsville Beach Firehouse when the fire and police departments relocate into the new public safety building.

Service agreements with Windstream NuVox and Time Warner Cable will also be discussed.

Public hearings are expected to be set for April 22 for consideration of a reduction in trash collection frequency and a pilot curbside recycling program for Harbor Island residents.