Topsail Beach officials have decided to keep the town's waterway access free and open to the public.

The board voted earlier this month to eliminate boat fees at the town's marina after it decided not to partner with a private business to run its public boat ramp.

For the past year, the board had tossed around the idea of leasing the marina's building to private individuals who might have been interested in renting a portion of the building for a small business and running the town's marina.

The commissioners only recently considered getting rid of the boat fees, said Town Manager Steve Foster.

The board purchased the marina in 2006 after a long legal battle with the previous owner. The commissioners decided the town needed a free place for residents to put their boats in the water.

The marina has become one of the few public boat ramps in Pender County, Foster said.

"The board figured they purchased the ramp as a free and public ramp that would be run by the town, so they decided they should keep it that way," Foster said.

There were daily, weekly and yearly rates set for boat ramp fees, Foster said. For example, the daily rate was $10.

Under the board's previous plan, a private party would enter into a contract with the town to run the business and be responsible for collecting boat ramp and slip rental fees.

Last March, Lance and Sharon Jordan wanted to partner with the town in turning the building into a restaurant and convenience store, but the board maintained the town should retain possession of the building.

In January, the board had a change of heart and decided to look into soliciting proposals from people interested in running the marina.

The board received two proposals, Foster said. One proposal was for a personal watercraft rental business and the other was a convenience store that would set up a hamburger and hot dog stand on the weekend. But the commissioners rejected both ideas earlier this month.

The board considered leasing the space at the marina because it wasn't cost effective for the town to run the marina.

Last year, the town made $11,020 after paying the salaries of the two part-time employees who help maneuver boat traffic and collect boat ramp and slip rental fees from April through November.

Commissioner Ray Strader said the boat ramp isn't about making money; it's about providing a service to the public.

"We bought the marina for the town of Topsail Beach so residents and their guests should be able to use it," Strader said. "Everybody is paying taxes, including the people who rent out their houses and come down to use the ramp, so everyone should be able to use it."

Strader said the town prefers only residents use the ramp, but will allow anyone to use the waterway access for free even if they don't live in the town.

"We're not going to single anyone out," Strader said. "If you live in Wilmington and want to come to Topsail Beach to put your boat in the water, we're not going to make you leave."

Foster is responsible for developing a management plan for the marina, he said.

Strader said more than likely there will be a town employee there collecting slip rental fees and making sure boats are parked correctly.

The marina's building will be used for town storage, he said.

Commissioner Hal Hanig said the town can now try another way of running the marina.

"The one way we tried doesn't seem to be working so we wanted to try a new way," Hanig said. "There's nothing set in stone so if we see next year at this time this way isn't working we can try another approach."

Tyra M. Vaughn: 343-2070

tyra.vaughn@starnewsonline.com