Scituate Secures $50 Million Loan for Water Plant, Advances Pier 44 Park Plans
Town officials approve zero-interest loan for infrastructure project while waterfront park design progresses through permitting
SCITUATE, MA - September 10 - The Scituate Select Board approved a $50 million interim loan from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust for the town's surface water treatment plant project during their meeting on Sept. 10. The zero-interest loan, set to mature in August 2027, will fund planning and construction of drinking water infrastructure.
"That the town shall issue a bond or bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50 million ... for planning or construction of drinking water infrastructure project," read James Gilmore, Clerk of the Select Board from the official vote.
The loan approval comes as Scituate continues to address its water treatment needs. The funds will be used for various aspects of the project, including planning and construction phases.
In the same meeting, the Scituate Harbor Advisory Redevelopment Commission (SHARC), formerly the Pier 44 Advisory Committee, presented updated plans for a proposed waterfront park, showcasing progress on the project's design and permitting processes.
Paul Bartkiewicz, Chair of SHARC, outlined the project's vision: "Our vision is to create a space that will be the gateway to an harbor. It'll be part of the fabric of our community decorations. It'll be a place where everyone in the community will feel welcome."
SHARC has been working with design firm Copley Wolff to refine the park plans. Christine Wilson from Copley Wolff detailed recent changes, including the removal of a fixed comfort station due to regulatory concerns about structures in flood zones.
"We've gone in the direction of not having a fixed structure, not having the comfort station restrooms be a fixed structure. Instead, it will be a portable restroom trailer," Wilson explained.
Key features of the updated design include a boardwalk, open lawn area, and native coastal plantings. The project team has focused on creating a low-maintenance park that can withstand coastal conditions while providing public access to the waterfront.
Wilson presented diagrams showing how water will move around the site in various scenarios, including future sea level rise projections. "We modeled out the existing conditions at the top there, the proposed conditions below," she said.
Parking has been a point of discussion, with the current plan including 13 spaces in the park lot and seven parallel spots on Jericho Road. An additional 12 spaces near the state boat ramp are being considered as a separate town project, potentially bringing the total to 32 spaces adjacent to the park.
The Pier 44 project is currently moving through various permitting processes. Wilson noted, "We're looking at going to Conservation Commission next month and also the Chapter 91 application and Army Corps as well."
Community support for the park concept has been strong. Bartkiewicz mentioned that "twice overwhelmingly in the surveys, it was 10 years apart for a problem. It's pretty amazing to do that."