CAMDEN — Recognizing that the pandemic has gouged a big hole in the windjammer industry, and to a lesser degree, the business of taking tourists out on daysail excursions, the Camden Select Board agreed to defer collecting license fees until October. Additionally, the board will continue to mull over reducing the 2020 fees altogether.

Every year, the board votes to license the fleet of schooners, sail and power boats that call Camden their homeport. Fees are collected in April. This year, the fees were set at $3,000 for each of the six windjammers, totaling $20,000, and $2,500 for each of the seven day sailers, totaling $30,000. 

That $50,000 was in the 2020-2021 municipal budget; however, the town also anticipated a lean season for the tourist sailing business, and accommodated for that potential loss in the total license revenue.

At the July 21 regularly scheduled meeting, Town Manager Audra Caler revisited the budget talks of earlier this year, telling the board that also the town did not reduce its revenue line, “we said we would come back to talk about it,” and projected for “lower revenue just in case.”

That lowered projection was $6,000 less from the windjammers, she said.

“They are getting hit hard and we need to do something,” said Board Chairman Bob Falciani. 

Camden is known for its harbor full of schooners and excursion boats, which sail and motor out in Penobscot Bay consistently from June through October. They are core to Camden’s economy, and attract visitors from all over the world to the town.

Many of the windjammers, which normally take visitors on weeklong sails, are not leaving their berths this summer; in fact, several remain under their winter plastic wraps at the head of Camden Harbor. Health concerns of COVID-19 and resultant guidelines from the State of Maine have delayed many of the schooners from operating this summer. (Read: Safety protocols in place, two Maine Windjammer Association schooners set sail this week)

While the board initially considered a motion by Taylor Benzie to cut the license fees by 50 percent across the board, other board members pointed out that some windjammer owners had received Paycheck Protection Program loans from the federal government, and each schooner owner faced a different set of circumstances.

Another suggestion was made to charge the vessels — windjammers and day sailers — the standard fee for tying up at the docks and moorings, as required of other sailing vessels that visit or call Camden Harbor their homeport. 

“I’m not convinced it would work out to be cheaper,” said board member Alison McKellar. “It’s going to cost a lot for the larger boats.”

Still other suggestions included asking for a contribution from the boat owners, based on what they might be able to, given this year’s business model.

“We need to reduce what we normally charge them and recognize the fact that they are struggling,” said Caler. “I can’t think of an industry being harder hit than the windjammers, besides lodging. I really worry about them this season and they are iconic to Camden.”

She advocated for the town to be a “good landlord,” recognize “our business people are hurting,” and consider easing the financial burden. She also said Camden should advocate at the state level for help as municipalities lose revenue. Caler said Camden ought to advocate for relief funding from the CARES Act, or anything from federal funding.

McKellar said she conceptually supported reducing the fees, but “perhaps not the same for everyone.” She suggested the town circulate a form to the vessel owners, which they would return with individual requests for assistance.

“Also important is when they need to pay this,” said Falciani.

While they normally pay April 1, he suggested a new date of October 1, with a tentative reduction of no more than 50 percent.

Benzie agreed and withdrew his motion. He also agreed with the circulation of a simple form.

Marc Ratner proposed reducing the license fee by 75 percent, and not asking for a request for decreased license fees.

“Their business is their business,” he said.

In the end, the board agreed to postpone payment until Oct. , then revisit the issue with the vessel owners, and “work together to see what makes sense.”

“There is no urgency to collect a fee any time soon,” said Caler. “Give people time to see how the summer goes.”