Scituate Approves Luxury Beach Restrooms, Raises Golf Fees
Town to rent high-end facility for Egypt Beach, increase Widow's Walk rates for first time since 2017
SCITUATE - December 17 - The Scituate Select Board has approved the rental of a luxury restroom trailer for Egypt Beach at a cost of $46,290 for the 2025 beach season. The decision, made during a Dec. 17 meeting, aims to address longstanding concerns about bathroom facilities at the popular beach.
The trailer, which includes an ADA-compliant unit, will be rented from The Throne Depot for the entire beach season from before Memorial Day to after Labor Day. It will feature daily cleanings and modern amenities.
"This would give you an idea if it actually works out," Finance Director Nancy Holt said during the meeting. "It's an expensive idea, but it would give you an idea, and then you could move forward to what Dr. Price was proposing in putting something on the capital plan for either a permanent trailer or permanent structure."
The board also approved a fee increase for Widow's Walk Golf Course, the first such hike since 2017. Weekend rates will rise from $69 to $82 for 18 holes with a cart.
Ian Kelley, representing the golf course, explained the rationale behind the increase: "Every golf course within 50, 60 miles has changed since 2020."
Kelley noted that the additional revenue would help fund a new irrigation system, estimated to cost between $3 million and $3.2 million. The fee increase is expected to generate about $300,000 more per year for the course.
"We're expecting somewhere around 3, 3.2 [million dollars]. This is going to help basically pay for that," Kelley said.
The board also discussed potential increases to marina slip fees, which have not been adjusted since 2021. Current rates are significantly lower than nearby private marinas, with resident rates at $110 per foot and non-resident rates at $154 per foot.
Stephen Mone, Scituate’s Harbormaster, provided context: "The Mill Wharf Marina next door to us, I believe it's 368 a foot. Bulman's Marina, I think he told me, is about $240 to $245 a foot."
Board members expressed interest in exploring fee increases to address budget shortfalls in the Waterways Enterprise Fund. They requested a full presentation on potential rate changes for a future meeting.
"Expenses are outstripping the income of the Enterprise Fund. We've got projects coming up," Mone explained.
The board also discussed the possibility of charging for electricity usage at the marina slips, which is currently provided free of charge. This practice may be subsidizing larger vessels that require more power.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the renewal of several business licenses, including restaurant alcohol licenses and entertainment licenses.
- Declared a 1979 15-foot Boston Whaler with trailer as surplus property to be auctioned.
- Discussed potential changes to beach parking fines, with the aim of increasing the penalty from $50 to $100 to deter violations.
- Considered creating a bylaw to address abandoned or decrepit buildings in town.