Harbor and Waters Board Looks To Future

A project first brought up in the late-1960s could begin construction over the winter as the Harbor and Waters Board move closer to securing the necessary approvals for the Stamski Pier Project.

But the process won't be without its hurdles as the board detailed last night. Questions about the road's width leading to the proposed pier and a house built in the middle of the planned project,  may cause some problems as the town sorts out the issue with legal counsel.

"The town and Department of Environmental Protection will likely reply favorably shortly, it could come any minute," Chair Gary Gregory said of the awaited Chapter 91 License. "Once we get approval, there will be a 21-day appeal process."

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 91 protects the public's interest in the state's waterways. The license, issued by DEP, "ensures that public rights to fish, fowl and navigate are not unreasonably restricted and that unsafe or hazardous structures are repaired or removed. Chapter 91 also protects the waterfront property owner's ability to approach his land from the water."

Town Meeting approved the pier in 2008  at a projected cost of $220,000. Appeals have slowed the project from advancing.

"I'd be shocked if there wasn't another appeal," Gregory said. "Once we hear from the town, there will be 21 days for people to appeal issues of whether the town can take the water for town use."

Gregory said he believes there is a less than 50/50 chance the project would start this winter. 

Other Business 

The Harbors and Water Board also debated an e-mail received Monday morning from Marblehead Boating Center.

Currently, the boating center leases space from the town for use of Parker's Marina for a public yacht club in the summer months. From Sept. 15 to June 15, the boat center uses space at the marina to store its member's boats.

On Monday morning, Harbormaster Charlie Dalferro told the board he received an e-mail from the boating center asking to extend its season and not pay for storage.

"They want access earlier and keep it open later," Gregory said. "This is going to collide with town storage."

As is, the town stores resident boats on the upper level of the same structure with Marblehead Trading, who puts the boats into storage for the winter. 

If Marblehead Boating Center were to extend its season, board members said a bottle neck would likely ensue as people haul their boats out of the water around Sept. 15. 

"If the boating center isn't going to take the storage this winter, we need to let Marblehead Trading know," Gregory said, noting a decision has to be made soon. If Marblehead Boating doesn't use the space and pay the $8,300 to rent the storage in the winter, Marblehead Trading has to pick up the tab and use the space.

The board also debated if by asking for an extended season, the boating center was in essence telling the board they didn't want the storage space in the winter.

"I'm baffled as to why they aren't at this meeting," Gregory said. 

The board told Dalferro to e-mail the representative from the Marblehead Boating Center and tell them the board is assuming they are not going to use the storage space.

"If they can work something out with Marblehead Trading (regarding extending the season) then that's fine," Gregory said. "In the interest of time, we need to figure out how to fill this by September."