For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Manchester-by-the-Sea Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Lt. Governor Following Completion of Dredging Project

Town Received First MassWorks dredging grant from Baker-Polito Administration

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Town Administrator Gregory T. Federspiel is pleased to announce that Manchester-by-the-Sea held a ribbon cutting ceremony with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito this afternoon to mark the completion of a $1.5 million dredging project.

The project supports Manchester’s harbor, which brings in approximately $6 million worth of lobsters each year, and its two marinas that employ about 75 people and provide moorings for more than 1,000 boats.

“As the chair of the Seaport Economic Council, I have a deep appreciation for the coastal assets that distinguish our state,” said Lt. Gov. Polito. “We are proud to partner with communities like Manchester-by-the-Sea to ensure the important work of dredging is supported, and to create a framework going forward so that more of these efforts get the funding needed to enhance our waterways and ensure they are accessible to all.”

Today’s event, which was held at noon at Reed Park, marked the completion of a year -long undertaking to remove 4,676 cubic yards of harbor sediment to restore the depth of the harbor areas to a minimum of eight feet at low tide. Manchester-by-the-Sea received $500,000 in state funding to help complete the project — the first dredging grant awarded by the Baker-Polito Administration through the MassWorks Program. Manchester also invested $1 million into the project.

“This project is all about partnership. Starting with the state’s support through a MassWorks grant to the team that delivered this project on time speaks to a great result for all,” said Susan Beckmann, Chair of the Manchester Board of Selectmen. “Thank you to all state and local officials who supported this MassWorks grant. It was a great win for all.”

“Funding to support dredging brings significant benefit to the local maritime economy,” said Bion Pike, Manchester Harbormaster. “The recently completed dredging project in Manchester-by-the-Sea has allowed local businesses and the town to implement important marine infrastructure projects benefiting local businesses, recreational boaters, and commercial fishermen. We are grateful for the state and local investment in this project and we applaud the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to coastal communities.”

During the event, Lt. Gov. Polito also announced the grant round opening of the 2018 Navigational Dredging Pilot Program.

The MassWorks Infrastructure Program has allotted 5 percent of its $80 million fiscal 2018 bond cap to help fund dredging projects in the Commonwealth’s coastal towns. With this $4 million capital budget, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, through MassWorks, will administer grants to municipalities for salt water dredging of public waterways that benefit local economies. Projects will be evaluated based on readiness, direct economic impact and local match. The goal is for this funding to be used for smaller ocean-front projects.

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