A Havre de Grace City Council proposal to tighten boat storing guidelines drew some concerns at the council's meeting Monday night.
Several residents asked why the council would infringe on their property rights with the introduction of a bill changing the property maintenance code.
The bill would require boats to be registered and on a trailer that is also properly tagged by the state. In addition, no more than two boats could be parked or stored on a property. Any other parking or storing of boats would be prohibited in the city limits.
Residents Josh Argentino and Michael Morgan were both concerned about the suggestion.
Argentino asked about boats not allowed to be on blocks and whether there might be any exceptions to that. He said he agreed that registering boats might be a good idea, but felt if he pays taxes, he should be able to do anything he wants with his boat as long as it is on his property.
He said the gray areas "are going to get a lot of people."
"I am here to speak on behalf of a bunch of people that can't make it tonight," he told the council.
Council President Bill Martin, who justified the bill at the previous council meeting, said residents' concerns would be taken into account.
"This is what we want to hear, is your side of the story," he said about the public hearing.
Martin said when the ordinance was drafted, the council believed residents could have as many boats as they wanted but also wanted to avoid boat storage.
"We are listening to what you are saying," he told Argentino.
Resident Joe Ruff, however, agreed the bill could help property values, which he said can be negatively affected by the types of boats the legislation would forbid.
Closed session
The council did not vote on any legislation Monday night.
Council members also went into a closed session to consult with legal counsel to obtain advice, Martin said. The council met with attorney Paul Ishak, economic development director Tom Lofland, finance director George DeHority and tourism manager Brigitte Peters.