Scituate Harbor Flood Protection Project Faces Challenges

Town Considers Alternative Approaches as Modeling Shows Barriers May Not Prevent Flooding

SCITUATE, MA - September 24 - The Scituate Select Board learned Tuesday that the proposed flood protection project for Scituate Harbor may not effectively prevent flooding, according to modeling results presented by Collins Engineers.

Alli Gilmore, project manager at Collins Engineers, explained that the proposed flood barriers would not independently protect the area due to water flanking around the north and south ends of the structure.

"We're still seeing some flooding coming into our site," Gilmore said. "We're really only seeing about five inches of reduction [in water surface elevation]."

The modeling showed that closing off flood pathways at Old Dock Street and the boat ramp would cause water to flow faster through smaller areas, potentially impacting buildings along Front Street.

Matt McKinley, chair of the Cole Parkway Redevelopment Committee, summarized the findings: "The flood barrier projects will ultimately be an ineffective solution overall. The water is going to come around the north and the south ends."

Given these challenges, officials are now considering alternative approaches, including improved drainage and short-term mitigation strategies.

"We're thinking it may be better to ultimately reduce the scope to water management and drainage management specifically," McKinley said.

The town is exploring options to expand or reduce the project scope. Expanding would involve evaluating sites to the north and south, potentially including Old Dock Street and Mill Wharf. However, this approach faces challenges due to private property involvement.

Reducing scope could mean protecting against less severe storms or focusing on improving storm recovery and mitigating flood damage.

"It's all very sobering," Select Board Chair Andrew Goodrich said, acknowledging the difficult realities presented by the study.

The board discussed potential short-term solutions, including deployable barriers and raising certain areas, such as the corner behind the Coast Guard station.

Officials emphasized the need for a phased approach to address flooding issues in the harbor area.

"This has to be phased. Not signing off on one massive big project," one board member noted. "It's going to take a million little things to kind of parse together."

The board will continue to evaluate options and seek further recommendations from the project team.

In other business, the Select Board approved licenses for a new restaurant, Casa Verde, to open at 108-110 Front Street.

The establishment, owned by Kara Tondorf, will offer dining, alcohol service, and occasional live entertainment. The restaurant will have 42 seats, including 12 at the bar, in a 1,869-square-foot space.

Tondorf, who has operated other restaurants in town without violations, assured the board that Casa Verde would focus more on food than entertainment.

"It's not going to be a full band. It's 1,800 square feet," Tondorf said. "I mean, I could put a full band in there and no one could show up because it wouldn't fit."

Some residents expressed concerns about noise from existing establishments in the area. The board acknowledged these issues but noted they were separate from Casa Verde's application.

"We haven't, no one here has identified any issue with the care of Kara Tondorf for any of our establishments that create any of these issues," a board member stated.

The board approved Casa Verde's common victualler license, liquor license transfer, and entertainment license. The entertainment license allows for solo performers or small jazz quartets with amplified PA systems during specified hours.

The board plans to address broader concerns about noise and quality of life issues in the harbor area at a future meeting.