Gravenhurst Council Narrowly Passes Public Dock By-Law Amendment

By-law officers in Gravenhurst are grappling with a growing issue: cottagers abandoning their boats on municipal shorelines and public docks. This problem, which occurs mostly during the off-season, has created significant challenges for the town, particularly in removing docks as the season ends. Officers appeared before Gravenhurst City Council on September 17 to request an amendment to the by-law, which currently limits their ability to address boat abandonment effectively.

Cottagers, primarily those returning to Toronto after weekend getaways, are suspected of leaving their boats docked for extended periods, creating bottlenecks for municipal operations. The by-law officers report that these abandoned boats obstruct the town’s efforts to haul in the docks ahead of winter, leading to operational delays and added strain on resources.

Kirsten Ford, the manager of by-law services, presented to the council, noting that they receive 10 to 20 complaints per year regarding these abandoned boats. "Right now, we are limited to physically chaining the steering wheel of the boat, preventing the owner from moving it until they speak with the infrastructure manager," Ford explained. This cumbersome process has made enforcement difficult, as by-law officers currently lack the authority to intervene directly with the owners.

The proposed amendment aims to grant by-law officers the power to address boat owners directly, speeding up resolution times and preventing future occurrences. It’s important to note that the changes would apply solely to public docks and municipal shorelines, leaving private boat launches and docks unaffected.

However, not everyone on the council was in favor of the amendment. Mayor Lorenz voiced concerns that the proposal was too narrow, arguing that any changes to the by-law should apply across all docks, not just public ones. The mayor also questioned whether 10 to 20 complaints a year were sufficient grounds for altering the by-law. "All by-laws are created for the one or two people who aren't following the rules, not to penalize everyone else," Lorenz said. "We're taking a mallet to a fly here."

Despite the mayor's reservations, the amendment passed by a narrow margin, with five council members voting in favour and four against. Moving forward, by-law officers will have greater authority to address this issue, potentially easing the strain on municipal resources and ensuring smoother operations during the off-season.