Town Signs Contract to Have Ferry Boat Built

The town has signed a contract with Evans Boats, a Maryland firm, to build a 73-passenger catamaran-style ferry boat.

“All the documents have been approved and we’re under a contract to have a ferry boat specially built for the town and our route,” said Joseph Domelowicz Jr., assistant to town manager James McKenna.

Domelowicz said the boat will be fully accessible for physically challenged individuals. There will be interior and exterior seating. “The interior cabin will be heated and have air conditioning. There will be two rest rooms on board.”

The total cost of the new ferry boat is $981,500. As a result of a grant, the town’s share of the cost is 20 per cent, or $196,300.

“We appropriated that money through Town Council last year so that money is already in an account waiting to be used.”

Domelowicz said the construction of the boat will take 10 months, which will result in the vessel being delivered to the town in August, 2015.

The town has not made a final decision about how the town’s ferry service will be managed. The town is exploring a few options.