By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Like someone tacking a sailboat, Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers restructured the Naples Marine Safety Department in a way that has surprised some people.

Essentially, the administrative duties, such as keeping track of moorings and issuing dock permits, will be assigned to the code enforcement officer. Likewise, CEO Randy Thurston “has been certified as harbor master so he can do those duties,” Rogers said.

On a seasonal basis, a marine safety supervisor will be hired to work from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. That position will enforce the Marine Safety Ordinance and oversee marine patrol staff. A maintenance director will manage Kent’s Landing staff and ensure boat inspections are done.

“This organizational change makes the stand-alone harbor master position obsolete,” Rogers said.

Current Harbor Master Shawn Hebert will continue his employment through May. It was noted that Hebert was named the 2025 Harbor Master of the Year by the Maine Harbor Masters Association.

Rogers provided an overview of the restructuring during the Naples Select Board meeting Monday night. The expectation is that the town will save $4,987 in salaries and $2,236 in IT costs, he said.

Resident Martina Witts spoke about the turn of events since the budget season began and questioned what the future would bring.

“So, who will I call? For the last several years, when there was a problem on the water, I would call Shawn or text Shawn and he would immediately respond. There is a new hire yet to be named, what responsibility would they have for the citizens,” Witts asked.

Rogers answered, “Like any citizen if you have an issue, the full-time employee is the harbor master. Call the harbor master.”

Witts replied, “Randy Thurston works Monday through Thursday. What do we do the other days of the week?”

Rogers explained, “When Randy is not here, the marine safety officer’s information will be available on the website. You have the ability to call dispatch and dispatch will contact the game warden.”

Witts addressed

“The $7,000 presumptive savings — does that take into account the departure of experienced marine patrol people,” she said. “Whenever you have a change in management — as you know because you’ve had quite a turnover in your office, too — whenever you have a change in management, people leave. Does that $7,000 take into account people leaving?”

Rogers said to his knowledge nobody in marine safety has given notice. However, he anticipates that one or two may leave.

“I think anyone working in the marine safety division they are committed to the mission. They appreciate everything Shawn has done. They are loyal to Shawn. But they are also deeply loyal to the mission,” Rogers said. “If we lose a large number of those patrol people, there will be some loss of efficiency for sure but I think it will be gained within the season.”

Witts wrapped up her comments.

“I am still not buying the whole thing,” she said. “On Jan. 28, at that budget committee meeting, you presented a budget that had an intact marine safety division the way it has always been. It had a $2800 decrease over previous year. You said that day that Shawn Hebert ran a tight ship. So, I find it really difficult to get from there to where we are now.”