Limited parking availability in and around Mattapoisett Boat Yard was discussed when the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board met on January 27.
Present during the discussion was Ned Kaiser from the MBY. He said that new parking restrictions along Ned’s Point Road implemented last year have put a burden on the limited parking available on his property, especially during busy weekends at the height of the season. He asked about the possibility of designating nonresident, boater parking at Barstow Wharf adjacent to the town’s public beach. When asked how many parking slots he anticipated needing, he responded, “about 50.”
Kaiser said the need for nonresident parking for boaters using his services is great, adding that the parking stickers would only be used by boaters with moorings in the harbor.
The MAB members discussed parking at the entrance to Good Speed Island, an area long designated for parking of boat trailers and associated vehicles. They recognized that storage of materials for the bike path project in parking spaces at that location has already limited space.
Member Bob Moore cautioned that the parking availability at Barstow Wharf during the summer is also stretched and that allocating 50 parking spots for nonresident boaters might not work.
Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh tossed the idea of a trolley into the discussion, one that could service Ned’s Point, MBY and Barstow Wharf with centralized parking at the Park and Ride on North Street. All agreed they want to do something to help the boatyard, while also recognizing the value of the launch service that MBY provides. Further discussion with the town administrator and Select Board will take place, McIntosh said.
In other matters, the board members heard from member Ed Vankeruen, who has been editing and drafting tables of content and definitions contained in the Rules and Regulations. He said that some edits to text would clear up confusing areas. Moore said text should be plainly written so that anyone would be able to understand the context and meaning. He also stepped forward to assist with the project.
In his brief report, McIntosh said that Childs Engineering from Plainville has been selected to do preliminary design work for rehabilitation planned for Long Wharf aka Freddie Brownell Wharf. He said he has spoken to several of the references Childs had offered, finding that Childs in excellent standing and capable of performing the work.
Regarding the delayed dredging long planned between wharves located at Shipyard Park, McIntosh said, “Permitting is a mess between the Army Corps and Division of Marine Fisheries.” He said some work on pilings that would benefit boaters with dinghies spaces would now jump ahead of the dredging project.
The next meeting of the Marine Advisory Board is planned for Thursday, February 24, at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board
By Marilou Newell