To the editor:

Recently, the Bristol Town Council and the Bristol Harbormaster have taken action to reverse 30 years of support for the non-profit sailing schools that operate in Bristol Harbor.

Historically, the town billed the non-profits at the residential rate for the moorings used to support the East Bay Sailing Foundation (EBSF) and The Herreshoff Marine Museum. The organizations were shocked to receive a 150 percent fee increase when these moorings were reclassified as commercial. After many meetings and discussions with the Town Council, it now appears that the town is determined to collect these additional dollars from our local non-profits.

While the additional $5,000 Bristol will add to its coffers is a small amount for the town, it is significant to the non-profits that have to work for every dollar in our budgets. East Bay Sailing Foundation fights to keep our fees as low as possible to accommodate as many families as we can while providing a safe and fun experience. East Bay Sailing Foundation hires close to 25 local high school and college students for jobs each year, uses local tradespeople to work on the boats and buys equipment at local businesses. The money that we raise stays in our community.

The non-profit sailing schools in Bristol have an important role in our community. Unlike many sailing organizations, we are open to the community, provide scholarships, and work with local schools. East Bay Sailing Foundation has been the starting place for many great sailors. We have alumni who are URI All American Sailors, World Champion sailors, Volvo Ocean Race skippers, successful marine business owners, and life-long Bristol boaters. Sailing gives children an appreciation of nature, an understanding of the science of wind and waves, as well as communication and leadership skills.

Perhaps most important is the exposure the sailing schools give children to the amazing natural beauty of Bristol Harbor and the surrounding waters, instilling an appreciation for our town's greatest resource.

I hope the Town Council will reconsider their approach and take the contributions of these non-profits into consideration. We would like to continue to receive the same mooring classification that the town has provided for the past 30 years.
Please join me in contacting members of the Town Council and the Harbormaster to share your concerns.

Nick Cromwell
Chairman
East Bay Sailing Foundation