During the May 26 meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board, Chairman Carlos DeSousa and Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh shared options for repairs of the Freddie Brownell Wharf commonly referred to as Long Wharf.
McIntosh said he had gone over the study conducted by Child’s Engineering Corporation, which called out “multiple issues” with the wharf structure but had not given closure to the question of what is underneath the wharf. DeSousa said the consultants suggested borings to test the material inside and underneath the wharf but to do so might prove deleterious to the integrity of the structure.
McIntosh said that a subcommittee consisting of members of the MAB and the Select Board would study the report with the goal of selecting one of three options presented in the report. However, DeSousa and McIntosh were both of a mind that option one should be the roadmap moving forward.
To summarize the project report, it stated, “Long Wharf was constructed in the 1800s … it was constructed in its current form in 1992 following a portion being damaged by Hurricane Bob. The current form … includes a dry stacked rock seawall supporting the fill that comprises the wharf interior. It is assumed that behind the masonry seawall the wharf is constructed of a combination of rock, soil and concrete fill. With an asphalt deck.”
The report included some interesting historical data points including, “evidence suggests the rock seawall is founded on timber piles or cribbing,” but the report noted that the timbers are not clearly visible.
Using American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment manual and processes to clearly substantiate their findings, the report stated, “Long Wharf is in poor condition with minor to moderate defects located throughout … more advanced deficiencies found over large portions of the stone seawall.” The report went on to say that storms could impact the wharf to the point of making it completely unstable. “The structure as a whole remains stable … but lacked resiliency and is susceptible to overstressing or breakage during a storm event.”
The consultants also pointed out that due to the poor condition of the seawall, it should be immediately repaired to bring it to operational condition for the next 5 to 10 years.
There were numerous other recommendations, repairs and improvements that would run concurrently with those needed for the seawall. However, a full upgrade was primarily recommended. That is Option No. 1.
Childs wrote that anticipated sea level rise had to be one of the primary considerations when planning wharf repairs and improvements. In option one, they recommended “precast concrete with steel reinforcing modular block wall to encapsulate the existing wharf. The existing wharf behind the new concrete block wall will need to be excavated and backfilled to eliminate voids and the utilities replaced.”
Option No. 1 has a price tag of $4,700,000.
Next steps for the MAB and harbormaster are to strategize how best to present their recommendations for Option No. 1 with the Select Board.
In other matters, McIntosh thanked resident Bill Mansfield for coordinating volunteers for the placement of shellfish cages in the annual aquaculture project sponsored by the town.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, June 30, at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board
By Marilou Newell