Norwell Boardwalk Closure Raises Safety Concerns
Popular Path Shut Down Due to Severe Deterioration
NORWELL - December 4 - A half-mile section of Norwell's boardwalk has been closed due to severe deterioration and safety issues, affecting a route used by approximately 500 people daily, including students transitioning between schools.
Glenn Ferguson, DPW Director, informed the Select Board on Dec. 4 that the western section of the boardwalk, between the highway department and Cushing Hill, has been shut down.
"We have had to shut down what I call the western section of the boardwalk," Ferguson said. "In that section, there are three 500-foot roughly sections of boardwalk that all are beyond repair and such a serious deterioration that based on my recommendations and the engineer, we had to shut them down."
The closure impacts a vital route, particularly for middle school students. "In the afternoons, middle school, probably about 50 kids transition over to high school. They don't use the sidewalk. They use the boardwalk," Ferguson explained.
The decision to close the boardwalk came after an engineering report received on Nov. 19 recommended shutting down all three segments. Ferguson cited two primary reasons for the closure: the deterioration and, surprisingly, that the boardwalk was never properly designed to begin with.
"The boardwalk was never designed properly in the first place, never met code when it was installed, and has never, from that point on, for 8 to 10 years, it's obviously gotten worse," Ferguson said.
The town is now facing a significant financial burden to address the issue. Ferguson estimates the cost to replace the boardwalk could be between $2 million and $3 million.
"This is not $100,000. It's not $200,000. It's not $500,000. It's over a million, and it's very close, somewhere between two and three," Ferguson stated.
The Select Board is considering bringing the issue to the town meeting in May 2025 for funding approval. If approved, Ferguson hopes to have the boardwalk reopened by June or July 2025.
In the meantime, the closed section will be demolished. "You won't see it there because it won't make any difference what happened on the May 2025 hearing or what happened in any of the hearings, I have money now to remove the boardwalk," Ferguson said.
The closure has raised concerns about student safety, as they may now be forced to use the sidewalk along Main Street instead of the boardwalk.
In other business, the Select Board addressed ongoing compliance issues with the Park View Inn motel.
The Select Board granted a three-month extension to Park View Inn's motel license, despite ongoing compliance issues. The board expressed frustration with the slow progress of required improvements.
Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan outlined several outstanding issues, including the need for a legal register and log book, unpermitted work on a cottage structure, and concerns about unpermitted units in the main house.
Board member Bruce Graham argued for continued patience, noting recent progress. "In the last twelve months they've made more progress than the first eight years put together, and it's because we met with them regularly," Graham said.
However, other board members expressed frustration with the prolonged process. "We've been talking to these people for four years now," Andrew Reardon said. "At some point, you either cut bait or that’s it."
The board ultimately voted to extend the license until March 31, 2025, with the expectation of significant progress by that time.
"We welcome businesses to our community and we will work with you, but you've got to be willing to work with us," Reardon emphasized.
The extension comes with the understanding that if sufficient progress is not made by March, the board may consider more drastic action.