By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — The owner of Great Northern Dock presented his proposal to lease rather than buy the town-owned land sometimes referred to as the Begin Estate lot. 

More than a month ago, Sam Merriam, who owns Great Northern Dock, offered to pay fair market value to buy a section of the land next to the Naples Fire Station. He wanted it for expansion of his business, saying that docks and dock materials take up a lot of space. Also, he has run out of room on his property on the other side of the fire station. 

The suggestion of the town selling the lot generated quite a few comments in the community, with residents saying the town should keep the land for multiple purposes. 

On Tuesday, Merriam gave a quick overview of what he planned, including the important point that it was a lease rather than a land purchase.

He spoke during the Naples Board of Selectmen’s meeting, which was held on Tuesday since Monday was a holiday. 

“I am interested in leasing the property, a short lease for two to three years,” Merriam said.  

The arrangement would benefit both the town and his business, he said. It would buy time so the business could find some land to store extra inventory. Meanwhile, the town would bring in revenue by leasing the land. Plus, in the end, the town would benefit from improvements made to the property.   

“It would give us time to find other property. It would provide the opportunity to make the property to look better,” Merriam said.

He stressed that the company would not use the space on the lot for manufacturing. It would be a storage area for materials that had already been purchased, he said.  

“We wouldn’t be using it for retail. All we really need is space in the back for a holding area. It would not be used for manufacturing process,” he said. 

Later, he explained that the space he is requesting is on the far end of the property, away from the entrance, and is about one-third of the two-acre parcel.  

“It would help me in the short term until I find a more permanent situation,” he told the board. 

Vice Chairman Bob Caron II recalled that several years ago Merriam struck a deal with the town to use a strip of land next to the fire station.

“I wanted to know if your intention was to continue to use that small space or get everything other there,” Caron said.

Merriam said he’d likely relinquish the space next to the fire station once he started leasing the Begin lot.

Selectman Jim Turpin said he favored a lease agreement.

“I see this as a good thing. It helps out a valued business,” Turpin said.

Other bonuses include the town retains ownership, he said. “It is not permanent.” 

People in the community have mentioned that parking of boats and automobiles by Kent’s Landing takes up a lot of space, and that it would be nice to keep the Begin lot for overflow parking, Turpin said.

“Going forward, Sam’s proposal would keep that space open for potential use,” Turpin said.

Selectman Caleb Humphrey said that he was concerned about Code Enforcement Officer Renee Carter’s memo, stating that storing docks and dock materials would be in violation of the land-use ordinance for the Village District. He said he did not want to open a can of worm by entering into a lease when the activity was forbidden in the Village District zone. 

Naples Town Manager John Hawley addressed this issue, saying that perhaps more research is needed. 

“What she is suggesting is that commercial storage is not a permitted use in the Village district. I think I need to have some clarification. I think Sam makes a point — this is already sold inventory. It’s no different from the marina down the street storing sold boats,” Hawley said. 

The board decided that before making a decision, it would like to clarify whether or not the land-use ordinance would permit this use.

“Let clarify that at the next meeting. Then, get with legal and draft some form of agreement,” Caron said.  

Resident David Garcia spoke against the lease

“I am the chair of the Parks and Land-Use Committee. We haven’t been notified of any of this We have looked at Begin property to use for the residents of the Town of Naples,” he said. 

“I really have a problem with them using the land. My problem is that you are giving it away,” Garcia said. “I would just like to be informed of what you plan on doing with the property before you make the decision. It would be nice if we were informed. We have done a lot with the property.” 

Caron asked how far back from the property line did Great Northern Dock plan to stage docks. 

Merriam answered. 

The Begin Estate lot “is a little over two acres. Probably one-third of it is in the back, which leaves two-thirds for you to use for whatever you need,” Merriam said.