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Town engineer updates committee on boat-ramp upgrades, Weir Creek restoration and Fountain Pond plan
Summary
Town engineer Tom told the Climate and Coastal Resiliency Committee that Scarborough landing work is nearly complete, seven boat ramps are included in an NRCS grant, Weir Creek restoration has about $5 million earmarked for construction and Fountain Pond construction is estimated at $3.7 million with an MVP grant application planned.
Town engineer Tom briefed the Climate and Coastal Resiliency Committee on a suite of shoreline and culvert projects, reporting progress on Scarborough landings, plans for seven boat-ramp upgrades under an NRCS grant, a major salt-marsh restoration at Weir Creek with construction earmarks, and a conceptual park-restoration project at Fountain Pond.
Tom said the two Scarborough landings (the Route 6A landing and one on Doctor Lourdes Road South) are nearly complete and "incorporated best management practices, including rain gardens, porous pavement, underground infiltration, and we have oil and water separators as well." He noted the town had "600 something thousand for that grant." Separately, he said an NRCS grant covering seven boat ramps is about a $2,000,000 award with three sites currently in design.
Tom described the Weir Creek salt-marsh restoration as a large resiliency project now at about 30% design: "They have earmarked of almost $5,000,000 for construction of that project," he said, and explained that replacing two undersized culverts with larger 5-by-8 culverts should improve tidal flushing and habitat.
On Fountain Pond at Seaview Park in Dennisport, Tom said the project has 90% design and the permits in hand; construction is estimated at $3,700,000. He told the committee he will ask the Select Board for permission to apply for an MVP grant that could cover as much as $3,000,000 of the cost. Tom also described design features such as riffles and settling areas to aerate water and improve aquatic habitat.
Utility coordination and timing: Tom said the 6A culvert work has been slowed by telephone and fiber-optic conduit issues—old lines must remain until new service is in place—and he expressed hope the corridor would be opened by Memorial Day though final completion is uncertain. He also noted coordination needs with MassDOT for state-owned roadways referenced in the low-lying-road study.
Next steps: Tom and the committee plan additional permitting work, outreach for environmental-justice communities for projects located in EJ areas, and closer coordination with regional partners including the Cape Cod Commission. Members asked Tom to provide project lists and status updates to inform the committee’s RFP/job-description work and future Select Board presentations.
