Harbormaster Steve Melo recently recommended to the Select Board that Robert Miller take the position of deputy harbormaster. But, in order to secure funding for the job, Town Meeting members will have to approve his salary.

Three of the four Select Board members voted for the approval of the appointment contingent on Town Meeting members funding the position. Stanley Mickelson was the dissenting vote, expressing concerns about financing the position.

Melo said that he raised enough money to fund the newly created deputy harbormaster position but needs approval to transfer money from the Waterways Management enterprise fund to his operating budget.

“It was originally going to be on the June Town Meeting but there was a request to move it off for further consideration,” said Town Administrator David Cressman. “Then we came back and the Select Board temporarily created the position until the next Town Meeting would have to approve it.”

The issue then became that the position was created but not funded.

“If Town Meeting doesn’t approve this, then we have money that sits in retained earnings and the person that we appoint doesn’t have a job because we can’t pay them,” said Select Board Chair Shawn McDonald.

“What I don’t want to see happen is that we hire a new hire and then Town Meeting decides not to make this transfer. Then we have to release the hire,” he said.

Melo said that the full-time position came about because he needs relief throughout the year.

“We have seven or eight seasonal assistant harbormasters that work part time during the summer season. What we’re asking for now is a full-time, year-round person that will be my back up. That harbor operates 168 hours a week, 24/7,” said Melo, who has held the position of harbormaster for 11 years.

Melo said that applications were due by Aug. 10, and the interview process wrapped up in mid-September. There were nine applicants for the position. The maximum salary for the position is $25 an hour.

Miller has worked as an assistant harbormaster working alongside Melo for the past 11 years.

“This is not a reflection on you,” said McDonald to Miller. “I want to make sure that your wellbeing is taken care of and things are done properly. This should have been done a little bit different. Hopefully, with the wisdom of Town Meeting, we’ll get it done.”