OTISFIELD – Selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday night to turn down a public boat ramp on Saturday Pond.

Selectman Rick Micklon said a state-funded public boat launch could be a future burden on taxpayers.

“It’s a good idea on the surface, but behind it comes a lot of financial obligation,” Micklon said.

Chairman Hal Ferguson said a public boat launch could increase the number of high-powered boats on the pond.

Saturday Pond is open to Otisfield residents and taxpayers, but its boat access is limited to watercraft that can be carried in and out. According to state boating rules, jet skis are banned from the pond.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife proposed partnering with the town in 2006 to increase access to Saturday Pond, including the installation of a trailer-access boat launch.

Micklon said the Department of Conservation notified the town of grant money available to establish a boat launch, but that such a launch would be open to all state residents.

Editor’s note: The Sun Journal originally reported that motorboats with 15 horsepower or more are prohibited from Saturday Pond in Otisfield. Jet skis are banned from the pond, but there is no horsepower limit for motorboats. The information was incorrectly reported by the Sun Journal.