Consultants outline $2 million FEMA-funded plan to rebuild Colonial Pembroke pier

Chair opened the meeting and invited consultants to present on the Colonial Pembroke site. A presenter identifying their firm in the transcript as 'Ty and Long' described storm damage to the pier and adjoining building in 2024 and a proposed replacement plan funded principally by FEMA.

The presenter said, "the state was awarded approximately $2,000,000 for design and construction and replacement of the structure." The plan submitted to the board would demolish and replace the timber pier and the existing building; the pier deck would be raised a couple of feet for resilience, the floating docks would remain and be reused, and the damaged restaurant building would be replaced with an open-air pavilion with sinks, seating and space that could be reserved for events.

Why it matters: the pier and building were heavily damaged in 2024 and have been a local amenity and historic landmark; rebuilding will restore public access and provide ADA-compliant access and new parking while meeting updated codes.

Key details presented and discussed: - Funding: presenter said the state was awarded approximately $2,000,000 from FEMA for design and construction. The transcript attributes that amount to the presenter. - Design and resiliency: the pier will be rebuilt "generally in kind" but raised several feet and built to current codes. Supporting piles that were damaged will be pulled and replaced — likely with larger piles and additional cross bracing — while floating docks will be reused for boat access. The presenter explained that "once you get in there, you might as well replace them all." (transcript paraphrase from the presenter). - Pier width and public access: the existing pier was described as about 16–18 feet wide; to reduce costs the walking surface would be narrowed to roughly 8 feet with a small gathering area at the end to allow people to congregate while maintaining safe access to floating docks. - Building program: the existing enclosed restaurant building will be replaced by a smaller open-air pavilion to allow public gatherings, with basic utilities (a sink) and space for limited grilling facilities; details for reservation procedures and use remain to be worked out. - Permitting: presenters said local permitting from the planning board and state permitting through Maine DEP (a general permit rather than a PBR/PDR in the presenter’s description) will be required; the team will return to the town for local permits. - Schedule: the presenter said the goal was to have permits in hand by early next year, put the project to bid in January and, "start in the spring of 27" (transcript wording). The presenters and the board discussed that if funding or federal processes delay (for example, a government shutdown), the schedule could slip; the presenter estimated an opening/use window in 2028 if construction proceeds as planned.

Board members and residents supported adding interpretive panels to tell the cannery and restaurant history and emphasized the value of returning public access and programming. Staff and the consultants agreed to follow up with permitting steps, answers to technical permit questions (Maine DEP pathway), and a return visit to present updated materials to the planning board and Select Board.

Next step: the project team will pursue state and local permits and return with more detailed permit-level plans and scheduling; no formal vote or appropriation was taken at this meeting.