Pier 44 Cost Target Drops to $4 Million as CPC Pushes for Scope Cuts

SCITUATE — April 1, 2026 — Scituate Waterways Commission hears Pier 44 must shed $2 million as boating season opens. Meeting April 1, the commission received word from Pier 44 liaison Howie that the Community Preservation Committee has asked the project team to cut its initial $6 million cost estimate to approximately $4 million, with revised plans to go back to CPC later in April. Financial liaison Brian Kelly reported that $50,000 has been transferred from the commission's retained earnings — now at roughly $284,000 — into an enterprise fund emergency reserve authorized by the Select Board, driven by electricity costs running at 136 percent of budget. Harbor Master Steven noted that the new Massachusetts mandatory boating safety education law took effect the same day, requiring all boaters to hold a NASBLA-approved certification, and said an RFP for a North River survey is being finalized with engineer Mike DeMeo. The commission also previewed three to five summer harbor events, including a possible return of Fisherman's Fest, potentially relocated from the Town Pier to Cole Parkway Marina.