By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg officials want to give priority to city residents for boat slip rentals at the public marina.

The majority of Ogdensburg’s city councilors agreed to recommend that practice to the recreation committee, which will meet Thursday to draft a new policy after it was found that slips had been rented improperly.

City Manager Sarah Purdy said the city is still looking for the best way to properly ensure that the person to whom the boat is registered is using slips.

She said an early idea was to require a utility bill as proof of residence as driver’s licenses are sometimes unreliable. However, Purdy said this method would likely be ineffective as utility bills aren’t always in the name of the person who owns the boat. She said it could be in a spouses name for example. She said the city is continuing to explore ideas on that front.

Councilor Nichole Kennedy said she is among the city residents on the waiting list to get a slip. She said that taxpayers in the city should have priority in getting slips. She said about 18 city residents are on the waiting list for a boat slip and that those residents should be able to bump the non-resident slip holders.

That sentiment was supported strongly by Mayor Wayne Ashley and several other councilors including David Price, who said that while the question of fairness can be debated in many different ways he represents Ogdensburg residents.

But, Councilor Daniel Skamperle expressed some concern about bumping long-term renters who had been renting a slip for several years being bumped for city residents. He said he experienced a similar situation at Lisbon Beach and Campground and felt put out. He said while he understands city residents should have priority he said there should be some consideration for those who have been loyal renters over the years.

Councilor Jennifer Stevenson suggested the city look into grant funding to expand the number of slips in order to better meet the demand. Price said he was skeptical of expanding an operation that the city is already struggling to manage effectively. He said he’d rather see the operations turned over to a private party. Stevenson said she opposed that idea as it could be considered unfair competition for the city’s existing private operations.

In the end council voted to recommend make a recommendation to the recreation commission that city residents be given priority at the city marina. Recreation Director Matthew J. Curatolo said at least two non-residents have already paid for their slips, but said they could be given refunds. The recreation commission will draft a policy Thursday, which will then go to the city council for approval March 12.