Robbins Report

Barnstable Harbor: Filling in and falling in

Barnstable Harbor - Filling In and Falling In

   ^{The main bulkhead in Barnstable Harbor caved-in after a recent deluge.}

Story and photos by Peter Robbins

As if the Town of Barnstable didn't already have enough issues surrounding one of the most unique harbors on Cape Cod, now this!

The recent deluge of rain caused a cave-in of the main bulkhead in Barnstable Harbor. The fear now is the potential loss of the entire structural perimeter. The southerly bulkhead is the main concern, as a huge section has been blown out. Concerns now travel to the main parking area on the east side.

The Town has been planning for the upgrade for some time, now they may be faced with a major expense of total rehab. The east bulkhead has been slowly sinking for some time, however, as documented in the photographs, its demise may be sooner than planned.

Everything has a hidden cost. For some time now there have been plans for dredging the harbor, as it is filling in at a rapid pace. During low tide, vessels can barely navigate the channel. Really tough when your returning at night or in the ever present fog.

Where's the dredge? 

So where is the dredge? It is a logical question, one everyone has been pondering for some time. The dredge was permitted and the order of conditions were set and approved.  Ann B. Canedy, Precinct 1 Town Councilor, was unable to comment due to pending litigation. 

But it's public record 

Well, public record is just that. I might add, public record is certainly much more accessible at town level than other government agency level.  Records in the Conservation Department at town hall revealed the story. 

On November 9th, 2007 , the law offices of Paul (the dredge isn't coming) Revere III filed a "Request for Adjudicatory Hearing, Superseding Order of Conditions-Affirmation SE3-4582" with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to stop the dredging project.

In my opinion this, NIMBY, frivolous, malicious action is doing nothing but stalling the inevitable and costing us the taxpayers unnecessary time and money. Millway Beach and Blish Point were pretty much created by past dredging. Perhaps if the town didn't have to waste its time with foolish actions such as these, they would have been able to concentrate on the real issues and the bulkhead could have been saved.  Who knows?

Remember, it's public information 

So when you run aground this summer, or bend that prop trying to get in or out of Barnstable Harbor at low tide, these are the people who are costing you: Joe Dugas, Edith Dugas, Marci Dugas, Mary Rose Dugas, Cliff McDermid, Dori McDermid, John & Joan Alberghini, Peter & Silvia Doiron, Lawrence & Margaret Smith, Chester West, Robert & Ellen Timkin, Mariane Tryon, Judy Cahoon and Robert & Nancy Johanson, all of Barnstable.  Some of Florida, at least this time of the year.  Remember, it's public information.