ELLSWORTH – After three public hearings, including two that attracted larger crowds than could be accommodated in council chambers, city officials on Monday approved a water-supply protection ordinance for Branch Lake.

In a 6-1 vote, the City Council approved the new law, which includes user fees, requires boat inspections and restricts certain water activities.

“This ordinance is a result of more than one year of hard work by the Water Supply Commission Committee,” City Planner Michele Gagnon said.

The regulations were first introduced in May in an effort to protect the city’s drinking water supply. Since then, there have been three public meetings, including two that attracted more than 100 residents.

Last month, the council was poised to vote on the ordinance but had to postpone its decision after a computer glitch left about 50 residents out of the notification process.

On Monday, about 15 people spoke about the Branch Lake plan, which requires boaters to pay $2 a day or $20 for the season for a permit to use the lake. Those who own multiple boats would be charged $30.

The ordinance also bans any new, nonresidential boat launches and requires boaters to have their vessels checked for invasive plants, such as milfoil, before using them on the lake. Motor vehicles will also be prohibited from the lake when it is frozen.

The new law takes effect Aug. 15. Because it is halfway through the summer, council members agreed to waive the fees until April 1, 2006.

Some, like resident John Williams, disagreed with the user charge.

“Why I should have to pay $30 for five boats in the water is beyond me,” said Williams, who uses a powerboat, paddleboat, canoe and two kayaks on the lake and owns property on Branch View Drive.

Others said it is a small price to pay for protecting the drinking water supply from invasive plants.

“I think $30 a year for an extra sticker that would go to defray the cost of an onsite inspector … is very, very little to pay to try to ensure that the lake is free of this really, really evil thing,” lake resident Don Hayes said.

The lone council member to vote against the measure was John L. Moore, who cited concerns over enforceability as a reason for his decision.

Council members said there may be changes to the ordinance down the line. Already, city officials are contemplating whether to relax the ban of seaplanes from the lake.

“This isn’t the end of it. It is just the beginning,” Councilor Stephen K. Beathem said. “It can be changed for the good of everybody.”

In other action, the council accepted the resignation of Robert H. Crosthwaite, who has decided to leave his post to devote time to other endeavors. Crosthwaite, who is also Republican state representative for District 38 and a pastor at Faith Community Fellowship, spent eight years on the council, including one year as its chairman.

Council members presented their departing colleague with well wishes and a special plaque.

“I think we are going to miss Bob on the council and the city of Ellsworth is going to miss [him],” Moore said.

“Your kind words will long be remembered,” Crosthwaite said before taking his seat in the second row of the audience.