Watermark has become full service waterfront builder and permit specialist

LACONIA — Paul Goodwin, one of the founders of Watermark Marine Construction, has fond memories of his company’s new waterfront location on Paugus Bay.

He grew up spending his summers at a family camp at The Weirs and remembers when the site was the location of Jerry’s Shore Diner and the legendary Spider Osgood was at the front counter, amazing customers with his quickness and dexterity.

“It’s always been a special place because of that,” said Goodwin, whose company purchased the property, which had been the location of a local Burger King franchise for over 30 years, several years ago.

Watermark has transformed the fast food building into a full-line waterfront and marine supply store offering a complete line of boating accessories, paddle boards, swim rafts, boat lifts, docks, dive gear, and shorefront accessories as it has continued to grow other phases of its construction and permitting business.

“We have made a significant financial commitment to operate the most modern, state-of-the-art marine construction company in the state," Goodwin said. "We operate a push-boat providing the most efficient propulsion for our larger barges. We have a rotating grapple and hydraulic pile driver to provide the most efficient service possible. We operate new equipment in a safe and environmentally friendly manner and are proud of our people and our work.” 

Watermark also operates its own in-house welding shop in order to control quality and customize products quickly and professionally. “We self-perform 90 percent of our projects and only work with subcontractors up to our own standards,” Goodwin said.

Watermark is now the largest single permit agent in New Hampshire for shoreline structure permits (docks, beaches, boathouses, etc.), handling as many as 100 a year, he said.

The company also operates a satellite store on the shore of Lake Sunapee in Sunapee.

Founded in 1990 with the intention of building a “better” navaid (buoys, lanterns, and regulatory signage), the company has grown from two employees to 40.

In 2010 it separated its navaids and construction operations and formed a partnership called SEALITEUSA with Sealite Pty. Ltd. of Australia. It moved the navaids business into a separate facility in Tilton with a state-of-the-art rotational molding plant.

The company is also involved in the regulatory arena regarding dock and shorefront issues. Goodwin has previously been a member of the Dock Rules Review Committee, the New Hampshire Wetlands Council, the Lakes Management Advisory Committee, the Legislative Commission to Study the Shoreland Protection Act, and the Shoreland Advisory Committee. He is also active with the New Hampshire Marine Trades Association and New Hampshire Home Builders Association.

Goodwin says that coordination of all permit needs up-front will save a lot of hassles later.

“Patience is often required. We attempt to research permit history through a search of Department of Environmental Services records, town/city records, Registry of Deeds, and other sources that may be available, but unfortunately none of these sources are 100 percent perfect," he said. "Not only can the DES and local review take time, but all the due diligence efforts and field work required to prepare the best possible permit package add to the total review timing. It is essential to plan ahead.”