Hingham Considers Mooring Fee Adjustments, Advances Harbor Resiliency Project

Town to develop cyclical plan for fee reviews, approves $320,325 amendment for waterfront improvements

HINGHAM, MA - November 12 - Hingham's Harbormaster is reviewing potential changes to mooring fees, with discussions set to continue over the next year. The town aims to develop a cyclical plan for fee reviews, considering expenses, services provided, and comparisons with neighboring communities.

Harbormaster Ken Corson presented the current fee structure to the Select Board on Nov. 12, noting that while he's not recommending an immediate increase, he wants to keep the board informed of revenues, expenses and regional comparisons.

"The goal with a fee, it's not a tax. So really what we do is we look at what our expenses are and we're allowed to cover our expenses for the Harbormaster's operation through the fee, but it's not really supposed to exceed that," Corson explained.

Select Board member Liz Klein emphasized the need for a comprehensive review.

"I would like to dig into that a little more. I know you talked about a multiyear mooring plan when I first started, so I also want to revisit that and make sure that we're aligned with what your vision is for the mooring field in general," Klein said.

Town Administrator Tom Mayo suggested developing a repeatable process for fee reviews.

"We need to work on a cyclical plan so that we have a repeatable process that every year, every other year, however often the board feels it wants mooring fees reviewed or Ken feels they need to be reviewed, that we have a regular process with known metrics," Mayo said.

The board agreed to revisit the issue next year, with Corson planning to start discussions earlier in the spring to allow for thorough public input.

In other business, the Select Board approved a $320,325 amendment to the agreement with Foth Infrastructure and Environment LLC for the Harbor Waterfront Resiliency Project. This brings the total contract value to $693,595.

The project, partially funded by state grants, aims to improve wharf walls and enhance coastal resilience. A Coastal Zone Management grant will cover $287,928 of the amendment, with the town responsible for the remaining portion.

Mayo explained that this amendment is part of the planned next steps for permitting.

"As we complete this process, this will allow us to go to the next phase of permitting. So this is anticipated. This was planned. It's all part of the efforts to get our wharf walls improved," Mayo said.

The project is expected to be completed in phases, with the first phase covering the area from the bathing beach to the mobile station. Subsequent phases will address other sections of the harbor.

Mayo emphasized the importance of coordinating the resiliency project with other ongoing initiatives.

"We're trying to coordinate all of this while we're doing the harbor master plan and the three-year-old project. So timing the harbor development committee is all over it," he said.

The town is also working on a comprehensive communication plan to inform the public about potential disruptions during the construction process.

In other matters, the board:

- Appointed Matthew Goulet to the 4th of July Parade Committee for a term ending Dec. 31, 2025.

- Approved the purchase of 30 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the police department, replacing current models and aligning with fire department equipment.

- Thanked the Town Clerk's office for their work in running a smooth election process.

The meeting adjourned with board members expressing gratitude for the Veterans Day ceremony held over the weekend.