Gloucester supervisors tabled action on a proposed ordinance that would have limited the county’s Aberdeen Wharf to commercial use only, prohibiting recreational use of the pier, following a hearing Tuesday night in the colonial courthouse.
“There’s a feeling of maybe we don’t have enough area for recreational fishing,” said county administrator Carol Steele. “I would not disagree with that at all, but there’s also a feeling that we don’t have enough area for the waterman. What they used to have is not available as much either.
“It’s up to the board, but I would suggest that if you want to keep it open and come back with some additional ordinance suggestions that would be safety minded,” she continued.
“I am surprised at how many people drive up and either sit there and look at the water or spend some time. It’s very soothing and it’s interesting. They like to go out and look and maybe walk out on the pier. I would hate for us to restrict that,” said supervisor Dr. Robert “JJ” Orth. “I...