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Port of Allyn provides updates on Oyster House

Port of Allyn Executive Director Lary Coppola presented updates on the port's finances, a community survey, the well project and the status of the Oyster House.

Coppola said Feb. 7 that the port received its staging area expense reimbursements from the state Recreation and Conservation Office, but only the construction cost portion, which was slightly more than $41,000.

"We have not yet gotten the amount we spent for staff payroll, which is approximately $9,000," Coppola said. "They seem to have an issue with the type of documentation for our staff time spent on the project. However, we are working through that with them."

Coppola noted the port has posted its community survey on its Facebook page and its website, and also sent out a news release.

"We had scheduled a public hearing for this issue tonight, along with a PowerPoint presentation," Coppola said. "However, we've only had a small number of surveys returned so far, and we believe we need to increase our outreach efforts before moving ahead with this."

Coppola said the port would need to explore alternative methods to achieve its outreach goals.

"I hesitate to use direct mail due to the cost, which would be around $4,500 per mailing, plus the cost of design and printing whatever mailing pieces we did, and because the return rate is less than 4%," Coppola said.

The port originally intended to submit the update to the state Recreation and Conservation Office by March 1, even though the port's next official update isn't due until March 2024.

"While we want to have an updated plan on file with RCO, just to keep us eligible for grants, there aren't any grants for potential projects we're looking at right now, except Sweetwater Park, which is included in the plan we have on file," Coppola said. "So there's no immediate pressure to submit anything either."

The port has received approval from the state for the booster pump to the well, and now just needs the permits from the county to install the booster pump, up near the tank, to equalize water pressure with the rest of the system, for both existing homes and others to be built.

The port had a system outage of 12 hours to repair a break in the main line, between the well and the storage tank, and Coppola credited the port with getting that fixed quickly.

"We also sent a note to all the water customers with their bills, letting them know that, if we have any future outage problems, we will post information on the website," Coppola said.

With the state set to receive federal money through the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy process, Coppola has spoken with the new county administrator about where the port stands in that process.

According to the port's attorney, the port might have legal recourse if its funding request is denied, but in Coppola's words, "We need to let the process play itself out."

Coppola revisited the damage to the finger pier on the dock during the Oct. 25 storm.

"I turned the claim in to Enduris, and called Marine Floats, the same company that built the replacement dock, to get an estimate on the repairs," Coppola said.

While the port has closed that section of its dock to boaters and pedestrians, Marine Floats has submitted a bid that's basically time and material.

"Enduris wanted a firm number for the job, but has agreed to allow Marine Floats to move forward," Coppola said. "I've signed the contract with Marine Floats and have asked it to schedule the work."

Before the port can repair the theft of the wire powering the marina, it needs to secure access to its electrical equipment so it can't be turned off by cutting the lock.

"What we're doing is completely enclosing the kiosk and installing steel doors with deadbolts to access the electrical equipment, as well as using stainless steel locks for the equipment cabinets," said Coppola.

He added, "The foundation has been poured and the steel doors have been ordered. The corner posts have also been set, but we're in a holding pattern until the doors arrive, which will hopefully be within the next 10 days."

The new siding has been installed on the Oyster House and "looks great," Coppola said.

"There is still Tyvek covering the windows, keeping the moisture out of the interior until the windows have been restored and reinstalled."

Coppola described the port as being in another "holding pattern" with this platform until it can obtain an Army Corps of Engineers permit.

"Once we have that, we can put the pile-driving and construction of the platform for the building out to bid," Coppola said.

Author Bio

Kirk Boxleitner, Reporter

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Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
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