Ned’s Point, the iconic coastal park that features a lighthouse, has seen tens of thousands of visitors over the decades as it has graced Mattapoisett’s Harbor. Yet time and tides, waves and storms often pound away at the tiny beach enjoyed by so many. Now, at the behest of the Mattapoisett Highway Department, the seaside park will receive beach nourishment.
A quick peak on Google would offer this explanation, “…beach nourishment is a coastal protection method that adds sand or sediment to eroding shorelines to restore beaches, protect infrastructure from storm surges and enhancement of recreational areas.”
Mattapoisett Conservation Agent Samantha Carew explained that any sand replacement will include a sieve analysis to ensure the material is closely aligned with sands already at the side. She said some 140 feet of nourishment is planned to re-establish the beach area, that work will take place between May and June as directed by state environmental agencies, and that coastal mapping is planned. The Notice of Intent filing received conditioning.
But the lion’s share of the evening agenda stopped as the commission continued discussions regarding the fate of an easement located at Bryne Avenue and Shell Beach Road.
Acting Chairman David Nicolosi read a letter received from Stephen Vaitses of 5 Dyre Road, one of interested abutting parties which said that most issues concerning the long-term maintenance of the beach access road have been agreed between all parties but wished to add language that would include handicap-accessible features.
Vaitses gave a short historical perceptive of the area that read, “The plan of Shell Beach was originally created in 1898 establishing Shell Beach Road, Noyes Avenue and Burne Avenue, other ways of use by the Shell Beach residents. Since inception, residents of Shell Beach have used Noyce Avenue for access and used Byrn Avenue to park and access Shell Beach Road including using Shell Beach Road itself for beach, boating, fishing, and other recreational purposes without obstruction.”
Nicolosi said that any decision by the commission needs to include permanent boundary markers for the access under discussion.
After further discussion that delved into ADA-compliance matters and maintenance planning, the Notice of Intent filing was continued to allow for complete delineation of the area before establishment of conditions that would impact the interested parties well into the future.
A Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Vera Gibbons, 9 Pearl Street, for the construction of a 10×13.4 square-foot addition to the single-family home on the site received a negative determination.
The RDA filed by the Mattapoisett Museum, 5 Church Street, also received a negative determination for the construction of a 5-foot wide handicap ramp.
The RDA filing by Derek and Kylene Gregorie, 2 Good Speed Island Road, for the construction of 10×10 foot deck received a negative determination.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, April 27.
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell