The Scituate Select Board voted to move forward with dismantling the Cole Parkway gazebo at the Jan. 20 meeting after receiving engineering reports warning the structure poses a safety risk, particularly during severe weather.
Town Administrator James Boudreau told the board two engineering reports recommend the gazebo be taken down, citing concerns that parts of the structure could fail and become airborne during severe weather.
“We are concerned at this point if we had a nor’easter or a large storm that the top would actually blow off and go blowing around Cole Parkway,” Boudreau said.
Boudreau said the most recent engineering review was clear about the need for demolition. The date for the demolition has not yet been scheduled.
The gazebo is also known as the Bob Morrill Bandstand, named in honor of longtime music teacher Robert Morrill, who taught in Scituate from 1957 to 1984. David Morrill, Bob’s eldest son, said the bandstand was built around 1975 to replace a dilapidated trailer that Satuit Band had previously used as a stage for performances.
“It was dedicated to my father because of his work in music in the town. He taught thousands of students over the years,” Morrill said. Emphasizing the depth of Bob Morrill’s influence, his son recalled that the family stood in line for six hours during his father’s wake, speaking with residents and former students who shared how profoundly he had shaped their lives — not only through music, but through the life lessons he taught along the way.
Though the Capital Budget Committee did not recommend funding to rebuild the gazebo during this budget cycle, Boudreau says there is an item in the next capital budget for a new gazebo that will be voted on at town meeting this spring.
Select Board members emphasized that removing the gazebo does not mean events traditionally held at the site will stop. Several said they want a temporary option in place for music and performances this summer, though no specific plan has been approved.
“I think we all seem to be in agreement that there is going to be music played,” Chair Andrew Goodrich said. “We will have something.”
The board voted unanimously to direct the town administrator and facilities director to address the safety issues, including demolition, and to notify the family prior to taking the gazebo down. Boudreau also noted that though the Select Board has not taken a formal vote yet, their intention is to name the new gazebo after Bob Morrill.
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