Among the several projects underway or in the works in Menemsha is the new Coast Guard boathouse, a three-story concrete structure designed to withstand fires and 100-year floods. Like the previous boathouse, it faces north, flanked by the West Dock on one side and the commercial fishing dock to the east.
Farther north are two stone jetties, which will likely be replaced by the Army Corps of Engineers this winter. Beyond the jetties is Menemsha Bight.
During their fall walk-through of Menemsha Harbor on Monday, the Chilmark selectmen highlighted the several works in progress, including plans for a recreational boat dock, a new pumpout facility installed this year and various maintenance projects. They were joined by local fishermen, dock workers and members of the town harbor advisory committee, who offered feedback along the way.
The charred end of a wooden walkway that ends abruptly over the water was a reminder of the fire in 2010 that completely destroyed the original boathouse. Brad Linman, a project manager with Mortenson Construction, said he expected the new boathouse to be completed by Christmas.
With the structural work mostly complete, he said, “It doesn’t take a lot to get the interior done.”
He added that most of the building materials are fire-resistant, including exterior siding designed to resemble cedar shingles. “Everything in here is pretty much concrete,” he said.
The biggest project this year will likely be the reconstruction of the stone jetties, where the tide enters and returns through Menemsha Creek. Selectman Warren Doty said the project would be “extremely destructive” with “a lot of huge equipment,” and hoped it would be finished by Memorial Day. The project may involve the dredging of the channel and the harbor, but Mr. Doty said that was “all still up in the air.”
Assistant harbor master Glenn DeBlase said his most demanding task this summer was managing the flow of recreational boats that dock for short periods during the day. There are designated slips for transient boats (also known as lunch boats), but the boats often end up in other places.
“You have to educate people [about] the fact that there is a place for them to tie up,” he said. The dock closest to the jetty is reserved for transient boats.
Plans for a new transient dock along the western side of the West Dock, but several feet lower, have been in the works since about 2011 when the town began working with funds from the Seaport Advisory Council on other harbor projects. It would likely be a floating extension of an existing 40-foot dock, and would use the same funding source.
Although the tides create a strong current in the narrow space between West Dock and the shore, the selectmen seem to favor that spot over others for the new dock.
“It’s a tough navigation there, but I think it’s still good for lunch boats,” said chairman William Rossi. “You just have to plan.” Executive secretary Timothy Carroll, who joined the tour, said extending the dock would be relatively simple. He said the project would be permitted by the state this winter.
A new pumpout station on the fuel dock near the Menemsha Texaco station saw some heavy traffic this summer, with about 40 wastewater pumpouts. It was out of service for about two weeks in August before dock workers repaired it. Mr. DeBlase said there were only five pumpouts last year, before the new system was installed. “It was a very, very effective system,” he said.
The selectmen and dock workers discussed adding more pumps toward the center of the commercial dock, where they would not interfere as much with the gas pumps.
Seth Karlinsky, who does harbor maintenance for the town, said the absence of hurricane currents in the last couple of years have drawn more visitors to the harbor, leading to heavier use of the public bathrooms and garbage facilities. He noted that misplaced garbage has attracted skunks and raccoons.
He said many visitors were not concerned about helping to maintain the public facilities. The business community takes good care of the public restroom building, he said. “But as far as the public use of it, they destroy it.”
Christine Larsen of Larsen’s Fish Market said she saw some people washing their feet in the sinks.
Mr. Karlinsky suggested installing a hose on the dock for public use. He also suggested adding two handicapped parking spots near the bathrooms to help mitigate traffic problems.
To help reduce the traffic in Menemsha this year, the town opened a satellite parking lot on Tabor House Road, with free shuttle service to the harbor. The lot can handle about 70 vehicles at a time, but averaged only about 15 per day. Mr. Doty said part of the problem was a lack of adequate lighting. He said solar panels had finally arrived, and new lights would be installed this winter.
Stanley Larsen, owner of Larsen’s Fish Market, believed it was only a matter of time before the shuttle service caught on with the general public. “It was a really smart idea,” he said.
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