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Public Hearing on Formation of North East Marina Authority Wednesday 1-24-24

by

North East Marina

The public hearing concerning the formation of a North East Marina Authority will be held this Wednesday, 1/24/24 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM in the NE High School auditorium. There was a high level of interest in previous meetings in both the township and borough and this hearing gives everyone an opportunity to provide their input on the need to form an authority making it possible to transfer ownership of the marina to the authority from the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

The group involved in planning the authority has made it clear this opportunity is very urgent and time limited in order to keep the marina in operation.

The marina currently provides safe harbor for a large portion of the Lake Erie shoreline. It also is the base of operations for the water rescue services of Fuller Hose Company which acts in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard.

The marina is a great area recreational resource attracting boaters from near and far and visitors to the marina add considerable economic benefits to local businesses and the entire North East community. The planning group has many ideas on ways to expand the potential uses of the marina property, increase its profitability and to better maintain the facilities in a cost effective manner than has been done in the past.

This is an issue of importance to all of North East, not just to area boaters. The marina is an attraction that benefits everyone in our community. Let’s make it clear to both North East Borough and North East Township that we support this effort to form an authority so we can preserve the marina now and far into the future.

Please plan to arrive early so you can sign in before the meeting starts. There is a set of rules on how the meeting will be conducted and if you wish to speak available at the link below:

Marina Hearing rules for participation
NE Marina planning group Facebook page

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Filed Under: North East Borough, North East PA, North East Township Tagged With: , , ,

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Comments

  1. Why doesn’t the state of Pa make the North East Marina a State Park?
    Then the financial responsibility would be the state instead of the North East community.

    • If an authority is formed and takes ownership of the marina, there is no risk or liability assigned to the participating municipalities, which would be North East Borough and Township.

      Chapter 56 Title 53 Municipal Authorities

      Prohibition.–

      (1) An authority may not pledge the credit or taxing power of the Commonwealth or its political subdivision.

      (2) The obligations of an authority are not obligations of the Commonwealth or its political subdivision.

      (3) Neither the Commonwealth nor a political subdivision shall be liable for the payment of principal of or interest on obligations of an authority.

    • Paul Crowe’s response to your concern is spot on – there is no liability to the borough or township (or their citizens) when they stand up a municipal authority. In addition, the PA Code makes it very clear that municipal authorities do not have the power to levy taxes; instead, they raise funds by charging a fee to users of their services. This is a very equitable arrangement: those who use the facility pay for the facility. Meanwhile, our community receives a huge economic benefit from all the money brought into our area by these users.
      Approving a North East Marina Authority is a win-win for North East.