In their monthly meeting on Thursday, July 31, the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board primarily discussed ongoing talks with Childs Engineering on development of Long Wharf.
At the beginning of the hybrid meeting, the chair of the board, Carlos G. DeSousa, asked for Harbormaster Isaac Perry to sit at the main table with the board members. Before getting into discussions, DeSousa also said, “This is an advisory board. So, anything that’s said at this meeting is not to be given as direction. Direction can only come from the Town Administrator through the Board of Selectmen [Select Board].”
Getting into Long Wharf, the chair asked if anyone had thoughts on the current pump-out trailer at the end of the wharf and what opinions there were on a permanent, with plumbing, facility for the wharf. Currently, there is a trailer that is removed and winterized at the end of the season. For winterization, Harbormaster Perry explained it is done by both Water and Sewer and Harbormaster Department employees.
Andrew Nilson, representative from Childs Engineering, stated his organization had asked that of the town in the past and hadn’t been given a definitive answer. He said “our intent was to maintain a similar system” but added he and Childs Engineering would like to know if the town wishes to upgrade their system as soon as possible. It was discussed that the current location of the trailer, at the end of the wharf, is a prime spot and it should be freed up for other use and not be as visible.
Nilson explained many other marinas use more permanent-based systems and the town would be able to get a new system “off the shelf.” He did add, “I do think they would be rather pricey for the application, citing “over $30,000 for the system, maybe closer to $50,000.” The end of the dock is also known to flood, with the board members and harbormaster discussing the need for preventative action should a tank be situated at the end of the wharf.
The chair then said there are issues with the timber-pile-supported pier at the end of Long Wharf jutting out too far past the floating docks, resulting in the potential risk of boats clipping it when they leave dock. Nilson stated Childs Engineering has created a setback for the pier in their plans, “so it avoids that issue.”
There was talk on electrical issues and the spacing in between lights and boat hookups. Due to the wharf still being used for town functions, the need for good lighting and high light poles (8 to 10 feet tall) was reiterated. Nilson and Childs Engineering are continuing to work with town representatives and are regularly updating and changing plans for the wharf area.
The planning stage is ongoing, and the next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, August 28 at 7:00 pm. The meeting is hybrid and is available in person in Town Hall or accessible on Zoom.
Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board
By Sam Bishop