By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — In an effort to not go overboard with maintenance costs for the public boat launch, the town of Naples will consider charging a user’s fee to nonresidents.

The proposed user’s fee would provide the town with a source of revenue to offset the maintenance of the docks and other facilities at the Naples Town Beach, according to Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak.

Whether or not that happens will be up to residents at the Naples Town Meeting on June 3.

While the property taxpayers of Naples can continue to use the boat launch for free, residents of other Maine towns and other states would be charged to launch from that spot, Paraschak said.

When the town purchased Kent’s Landing in 2010, it did so with taxpayer money. As the Town Beach was expanded and improved, the town’s people decided the space would be solely used by residents.

Last summer, it was difficult to control who used the boat launch, Paraschak said.

If a user’s fee is established, there will be a policy in place for use of the public dock.

The Town Beach, which encompasses Kent’s Landing, will continue to be for Naples residents only, he said.