SCITUATE — January 20, 2026 — The Scituate Select Board made several pivotal decisions during Tuesday’s session, most notably voting to remove the North Scituate sewer expansion from the April Town Meeting warrant in favor of a special meeting in September. The move aims to provide residents with more accurate project costs before a final vote. Simultaneously, the Board moved forward with plans to increase room occupancy taxes and implement new community impact fees on short-term rentals, while also authorizing the immediate removal of the “safety hazard” gazebo at Cole Parkway.
The Full Story
The January 20 meeting was dominated by infrastructure and revenue-generating strategies. Town Administrator Jim Boudreau and Finance Director Nancy Holt recommended pushing the North Scituate sewer project to a September Special Town Meeting [37:25]. Boudreau explained that current cost estimates are still in flux and rushing to the April warrant might result in residents voting on incomplete data. Board members agreed that having a firm bid price in hand would be more persuasive to taxpayers, noting that past projects like Cedar Point saw significant price drops once actual bids were received [43:42].
In a revenue experiment, the Board approved a pilot program to sell 150 transfer station stickers to Norwell residents for $300 each [45:24]. The initiative seeks to capture “found money” from neighboring residents whose own town does not offer a transfer station, while filling a gap left by a recent decline in sticker sales within Scituate [49:57]. The Board debated the price point, eventually settling on $300 to remain competitive with surrounding communities [53:26].
Tourism and hospitality were also front and center. The Board reviewed a proposal to increase the local room occupancy tax from 4% to 6%, effective January 1, 2027 [01:36:07]. Lynda Ferguson, owner of the Inn at Scituate Harbor, expressed concerns that the 2% hike adds a burden to local businesses, though she acknowledged the town’s need for revenue [01:38:26]. Additionally, the Board moved forward with two new local option taxes targeting short-term rentals (like Airbnb and Vrbo), which would include a 3% community impact fee [01:42:23]. At least 35% of this new fee must be dedicated to affordable housing and local infrastructure [01:43:31].
The harbor’s visual landscape will soon change as the Board authorized the removal of the Cole Parkway Gazebo [01:30:10]. Recent engineering reports labeled the structure a significant safety hazard, with concerns that a major storm could cause the roof to collapse or blow away [01:21:14]. The Board directed the Town Administrator to notify the family of Bob Morrill, to whom the gazebo is dedicated, before demolition begins [01:22:30].
The meeting also featured a celebration of local advancement as Nicholas Leeping, a Scituate native and nine-year veteran of the Mill Wharf restaurant, was approved as the new General Manager of the iconic establishment [01:14:20]. Leeping, representing Legacy Management/TPI Hospitality, shared plans for a “New England style” menu rollout and future renovations aimed at maintaining the restaurant’s historical significance while upgrading the property [01:18:28].
“With great power comes great responsibility... I take pride in my job. I love the community, I love Scituate. This is a big responsibility for me now.” [01:17:34] — Nicholas Leeping, Mill Wharf General Manager
Why It Matters
For North Scituate residents, the sewer delay means a longer wait for construction but potentially a more transparent and lower “betterment” cost. For the broader taxpayer, the new short-term rental fees and the Norwell sticker pilot represent a shift toward “creative revenue” that seeks to stabilize the budget without immediately resorting to residential tax overrides. The removal of the gazebo, while sentimental, addresses an urgent liability for the town in one of its most trafficked areas.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To remove the North Scituate sewer expansion article from the April Town Meeting warrant and place it on a Special Town Meeting warrant for September. [44:44]
Vote: Unanimous [45:04]
Motion: To approve the pilot program selling up to 150 transfer station stickers to Norwell residents for $300 each for the 2026 calendar year. [57:02]
Vote: Unanimous [57:25]
Motion: To direct the Town Administrator and Facilities Director to address the safety issues at the Cole Parkway gazebo, including notification of the family and subsequent removal. [01:30:10]
Vote: Unanimous [01:30:43]
Motion: To approve a change order for AC Marine in an amount not to exceed $450,000 for additional helical piles for the Oceanside seawall project. [36:53]
Vote: Unanimous [37:15]
Motion: To approve the change of manager for the Mill Wharf to Nicholas Leeping. [02:23:50]
Vote: Unanimous [24:15]
Public Comment
Lynda Ferguson of the Inn at Scituate Harbor voiced concerns regarding the room occupancy tax increase, emphasizing that while guests pay the tax, it impacts the inn’s ability to remain competitive and raise rates for operating costs. [01:37:40]
What’s Next
February 23, 2026: A joint “group session” is proposed with the Planning Board and Advisory Committee to review all non-monetary zoning and bylaw articles for the April warrant. [01:59:15]
September 2026: Target date for a Special Town Meeting to vote on the North Scituate sewer project. [44:44]
August 2027: Current target for substantial completion and occupation of the new $120 million school project. [02:01:56]
Source Video: Scituate Community Television