Port 1 joining wifi project, buying transformer

The Wahkiakum County Port District 1 Board of Commissioners met briefly last Thursday to go over a variety of issues affecting the Elochoman Slough Marina.

The port will officially join a consortium that is developing a public wifi area in Cathlamet and at the marina after commissioners adopted a resolution which authorized the manager to sign an interlocal agreement with the other parties involved, including the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Cathlamet, and Wahkiakum PUD.

The commissioners approved the purchase of a three phase transformer recommended by the Wahkiakum PUD for the expansion of brewery, and other possible additional businesses. Port Manager Jackie Lea said it would cost around $10,000.

Lea said the PUD would also install another transformer at no cost to power up the river view area and their portion of the sewer lagoons when they take over.

In other news, Lea said that the Cathlamet Yacht Club had offered to replace the canvas on the covered area at the marina, if the port was willing to split the cost.

"Regardless of anything that needs to be replaced anyway," Lea said.

Commissioner Brett Deaton said he had examined the canvas, and was all for replacing it but was reluctant to be a partner with anyone on the port property. He suggested replacing it on the port dime.

Commissioner Art Hedman agreed.

"I worry about strings attached," Deaton said.

Hedman complimented the new viewing deck.

"People really do like it, I think it's a good addition to the marina," Lea said.