Reducing the Tiverton Harbor Commission and Planning Board from nine members to seven is a solution in search of a problem, and it ultimately shortchanges Tiverton residents.

The Harbor Commission plays an important role in overseeing one of Tiverton’s most valuable natural and economic resources. Its responsibilities include maritime activities, harbor safety, environmental protection, recreational boating, commercial fishing, waterfront property interests and protects our coastal resources. These issues require a broad range of knowledge, experience, and perspectives, which requires a broad pool of volunteers. 

The Planning Board is a critical body in overseeing responsible development of Tiverton, and having a Planning Board-Harbor Commission liaison ensures the efficient communication and coordination between these two bodies. 

A nine-member commission or board provides greater opportunities to bring together individuals with diverse professional backgrounds and practical experience. Knowledgeable commissioners contribute in areas such as marine trades, engineering, environmental science, boating, fisheries, waterfront management, and regulatory matters. Reducing membership by two positions unnecessarily limits that collective expertise. Furthermore, a larger commission dilutes any personal interests of a single member.

Proponents of reducing the commission’s size argue that it will be easier to reach a quorum. However, reducing the commission from nine members to seven actually achieves the opposite effect. A nine-member commission reaches a quorum even with four members absent, while a seven-member commission with four absentees does not satisfy the quorum requirement to allow a public meeting to proceed.

A larger commission provides more opportunities for public participation, greater diversity of expertise, broader community representation, and more members available to establish a quorum. These are strengths, not weaknesses.

Tiverton does not need fewer Harbor Commissioner and Planning Board member seats, as there are often times more applicants than openings available, and meetings are very rarely cancelled for a lack of a quorum.

Our town and waterfront deserves the full complement of nine members as required by Tiverton’s Town charter to serve our community’s best interests. Reducing commission and board sizes clearly diminishes their potential rather than strengthening it.

The solution is straightforward: Respect the Town Charter, optimize Tiverton’s resident representation and preserve the nine-member Harbor Commission and Planning Board.

Allyn Meyers

Planning board member and harbor commission liaison

Marco Dirks

Harbor Commission Secretary