Dockage fees at Owen Park pier and fees for town moorings will go up in Tisbury, selectmen decided Tuesday night.

Harbor master John Crocker recommended the increases during a public hearing attended by several mariners and fishermen. During discussion, selectmen weighed how charges will affect visitors and tourists versus town boat owners.

Selectmen unanimously approved the Owen Park pier dockage fee increases, which will go into effect immediately.

Fees for vessels less than 25 feet long will remain at $5 an hour. Vessels between 25 and 30 feet will cost $10 per hour. Vessels between 30 and 35 feet will cost $15 an hour. Vessels 35 to 40 feet will cost $20 per hour. Vessels longer than 40 feet will cost $25 per hour. Overnight docking will cost $50.

Previously, the system had fewer tiers. It cost $5 an hour for a vessel less than 25 feet, while vessels greater than 25 feet cost $10 an hour. Mr. Crocker said the changes will account for larger vessels that take up much of the dock.

During public comment, town fisherman Lynne Fraker said the new proposed rates are too low.

“That is so ridiculously cheap, ten dollars. And most people are there for three hours,” she said. “I think people would be willing to pay at least twice that.”

Phil Hale, who owns the Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard, said the town’s prices should be equal to what private marinas charge.

“I don’t think see why anyone should get a break on the town’s dime,” he said.

But Mr. Crocker said keeping the fees low is a draw for town businesses.

“I do think the other perspective here is all these people come to spend something in town,” he said.

Selectman Melinda Loberg said she thought the rates would make the dock accessible to more people.

“Having an hourly rate certainly encourages people to move along,” Mrs. Loberg said.

Selectmen also decided to increase mooring fee rates and leases by 2.5 per cent for 2019. Ms. Loberg and James Rogers both voted for the increase. Chairman Tristan Israel voted against it.

Mr. Crocker said bills for mooring permit fees will go out in the next couple of weeks.

He had originally proposed 10 per cent increases in 2019, 2021 and 2023, and several fishermen present objected. Tisbury bases mooring fees on the size of the vessel. For vessels less than 20 feet, the town charged $95 per year before increases. Vessels between 20 and 30 feet were charged $159 per year. Mr. Crocker said those costs are lower than in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.

Ms. Fraker said funds raised from fees should be bringing the harbor master’s budget down. She also asked selectmen to keep fishermen in mind.

“No matter what you do, I’m asking you to keep it reasonable for those small boats and commercial moorings in Tashmoo,” she said.

Jeffrey Canha said incremental increases have added up.

“It’s gone up a lot,” he said. “It’s compounding.”

Selectmen called for more oversight for income from the fees. According to the town accountant, the town is projected to bring in about $235,000 from mooring fees and leases in 2019.

“I’m very interested in making sure this money goes to offset the cost to hire pier workers and make sure that people are charged properly,” Mr. Rogers said.

“I would like to see a plan developed ... for dispersing the income that we’re bringing in,” Mr. Israel said.