The July 25 meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board may have been short on agenda items but it was, in fact, heavy with importance.
After remotely opening the meeting, Chairman Carlos DaSousa asked the board for feedback on such matters as emergency evacuation planning, stormwater management as it pertains to flooding of the wharf area and other matters related to global-warming resiliency.
DaSousa said that they are still waiting for information from Charles Engineering, specifically regarding the type of concrete that may be specified when repair work begins on Long Wharf. Resident Brian Crowley has been concerned over the concrete selection and favors abrasion testing of stones and other materials. DaSousa commented that the engineers had not committed to testing protocols to date, so the MAB could request other forms of material testing.
Earlier in construction planning, issues related to rising tides and storm-surge resiliency were addressed. This led to discussions regarding stormwater and flooding due to storm surges and rising high-tide levels. Of particular concern were the frequent floods during moon-high-tide events.
“These are becoming more frequent,” DaSousa remarked. He said planning for storms and associated evacuations involves the harbormaster’s office, Police and Fire departments and the Highway Department. Board member Ned Kaiser shared the challenges faced when coordinating private marinas’ use of the public boat ramp during such events.
The board continues it work on these matters and others when they meet again on Thursday, August 29, at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board
By Marilou Newell