Update on the Black-Eyed Susan, March 2023
MAYOR & TOWN COUNCIL AGREE TO PART WITH THE BLACK-EYED SUSAN
After a promising start providing quality dinner cruises along the scenic Pocomoke River, the Black-Eyed Susan has run aground due to the tremendous cost of restoring the paddlewheel to U. S. Coast Guard standards. Over the winter of 2021-22, in drydock at a Norfolk shipyard, it was discovered that the BES was in need of over $600,000 in required repairs and upgrades in order to pass inspection and maintain its license to operate. In addition, it was further discovered, apparently for the first time, that annual maintenance costs could exceed $100,000, money not available in the Town’s modest budget.
Accordingly, at Mayor Michael Pruitt’s request, the Town Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor and Town Manager to seek viable options to remove the Black-Eyed Susan as a Town asset. The Town is currently in communication with a qualified appraiser and marine broker and is open to proposals from private interests for proposals to purchase the boat. Once the preliminary efforts reach a point where decisions may be made, the Town will publish an invitation to prospective bidders to take possession of the Black-Eyed Susan and relieve the taxpayers of Snow Hill of this untenable burden.
For further updates on the fate of the Black-Eyed Susan, keep checking this web site. If anyone has an interest in pursuing purchase of the paddleboat, please contact Town Manager Rick Pollitt at 410-632-2080 or by emailing townmanager@snowhillmd.com.
MAYOR & TOWN COUNCIL AGREE TO PART WITH THE BLACK-EYED SUSAN
After a promising start providing quality dinner cruises along the scenic Pocomoke River, the Black-Eyed Susan has run aground due to the tremendous cost of restoring the paddlewheel to U. S. Coast Guard standards. Over the winter of 2021-22, in drydock at a Norfolk shipyard, it was discovered that the BES was in need of over $600,000 in required repairs and upgrades in order to pass inspection and maintain its license to operate. In addition, it was further discovered, apparently for the first time, that annual maintenance costs could exceed $100,000, money not available in the Town’s modest budget.
Accordingly, at Mayor Michael Pruitt’s request, the Town Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor and Town Manager to seek viable options to remove the Black-Eyed Susan as a Town asset. The Town is currently in communication with a qualified appraiser and marine broker and is open to proposals from private interests for proposals to purchase the boat. Once the preliminary efforts reach a point where decisions may be made, the Town will publish an invitation to prospective bidders to take possession of the Black-Eyed Susan and relieve the taxpayers of Snow Hill of this untenable burden.
For further updates on the fate of the Black-Eyed Susan, keep checking this web site. If anyone has an interest in pursuing purchase of the paddleboat, please contact Town Manager Rick Pollitt at 410-632-2080 or by emailing townmanager@snowhillmd.com.
