DURHAM – The commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on Thursday ruled against a petition to limit the size of motors on watercraft used on Runaround Pond.

According to a spokesperson, Roland D. Martin’s decision was based on input at a public hearing in Durham last spring, as well as staff and the Maine Warden Service, and a letter from the Board of Selectmen.

A citizen petition, spearheaded by Russell Jabaut, had sought to limit the size of watercraft to a maximum of 10 horsepower, which would have banned what he described as “noncompatible larger watercraft” from the pond.

However, selectmen in a letter to the department did not endorse the petition, saying there was no evidence of a problem. Jabaut, a longtime member of the town Planning Board, said he accepts the commissioner’s decision, but still thinks the limit was a good idea. He said he expects it will be brought up again in the future, but did not indicate he planned to pursue the issue any further. Jabaut acknowledged there hasn’t been any problem or tragedy at the pond yet to date.

The proposal had the support of the Town Conservation Commission, which is in charge of the area. The Runaround Pond Recreation area is part of the Royal River watershed and has been operated by the town through a long-term lease agreement with the State Department of Conservation since 1975. The 133-acre pond, which includes a sizable wooded area, is used mostly for kayaking and canoeing and for hiking and picnicking.