Scituate Prepares for Major Boat Ramp Project, Faces Pushback

SCITUATE – Long-awaited repairs to the Jericho Road boat ramp will begin April 28, according to an update shared by Town Administrator Jim Boudreau during the April 8 Select Board meeting. While the project was welcomed as a necessary improvement, residents and board members voiced concern about the timing and coordination with other ongoing work in the area.

The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Office of Fishing and Boating Access is overseeing the project, which includes replacing catch basins, paving work, repairs to the revetment, and the installation of new lighting. The work is scheduled to last through mid-June.

“We do not anticipate that the ramp will be closed for the duration of the project,” Boudreau said. “We’re going to work with our contractor, with state representatives, with the state to open that when we can during the project.”

Board members acknowledged frustrations over the overlap with gas utility work planned for Jericho Road and stressed that the timing of the state’s construction was not coordinated by the town.

“We did not schedule the gas main [work] on Jericho Road at the same time as the state decided to upgrade [the boat ramp],” said board member Karen Connolly. “It’s unfortunate, but I think people need to understand there is something called construction season.”

The boat ramp has been in disrepair for years, and officials described the project as long overdue. “It’s something we’ve been complaining about since 2018,” said Select Board Member Susan Harrison.

Despite the optimism, resident Colleen Burgess called into the meeting to raise a concern that the scheduled start date could violate an existing order of conditions from the Scituate Conservation Commission.

“When I looked back into it, it looked like the order of conditions that was issued by the Conservation Board October 3, 2022, actually specifically stipulated that work could not be done from May through July,” Burgess said. “So it seems like they're actively violating the order of conditions.”

She added that the ramp closure would create a hardship for haulers and recreational boaters alike.

“People can’t drop everything at a dime and get a hauler to come out with a crane to launch a boat that can only go one route to get to Scituate Harbor,” Burgess said.

Boudreau responded that it was the first he had heard of the potential violation and said the town would follow up.

“We’ll check with Conservation,” said Harrison.

The town plans to post project updates on the municipal website and is considering additional signage to alert boaters about temporary closures. Alternative access points may include ramps in nearby towns and a limited-use option at Cole Parkway, depending on tides.

Board members emphasized their intent to work closely with the state and contractors to ensure access when feasible.

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