Port 1 commissioners act on budget, rates

Commissioners approved the 2016 budget and rates and a one percent increase in property tax revenue last Thursday at the Port 1 Commissioner meetings. They also heard about possible plans for the sewer lagoons.

Mayor Dale Jacobson was in attendance to talk about the land that had been the sewer lagoons. Some of the land is owned by the Town of Cathlamet and some by Port 1.

“You invited me here to talk about what our intentions are,” Jacobson said.

He shared some of his ideas, which included access to the water, and a fishing pond for kids and people with disabilities.

“It’s criminal,” Jacobson said, “we are a river town and you can’t access the water as a pedestrian.”

According to Jacobson, the Town of Cathlamet received a grant from National Parks for the project. With it would come landscape architects and expertise to help create a vision for the space.

“Still there has a to be a public process and input,” he said.

He asked the port for sand for the project, to stabilize it and provide certification that the sand was safe for public use. In return, Port Manager Jackie Lea asked for certification that

the sewage ponds were ready to fill.

Commissioners voted to allow Smoky Waters Communications to set up a relay tower at the Elochoman Marina. The tower will allow Smoky Waters to expand their service and in return, they have agreed to provide service for the marina without charge.

Plans are in motion to barge the dredge that the port is purchasing from the Rose City Yacht Club in Portland.

Bids for the new dock were opened, but no decision was made at that time.