The recent disclosure that cost estimates for repairs to Long Wharf are nearly double the original figures was discussed at the August 25 public meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board.

            A week earlier, the Select Board reviewed the latest estimate provided by engineering consultants Childs Engineering Corporation expressing concern costs have soared since beginning discussions with Childs in the spring.

            In a report produced last spring by the firm to assess the current state of Long Wharf, Childs referenced “multiple issues” owing to the age of the construction. Built in the 1800s, the wharf was transformed to its current appearance in 1992 after a portion of the wharf was damaged in Hurricane Bob.

            The report stated, “The current form … includes a dry stacked rock seawall supporting the fill that comprises the wharf interior. It is assumed that behind the masonry seawall the wharf is constructed of a combination of rock, soil and concrete fill. With an asphalt deck.” The report included some interesting historical data points. “Evidence suggests the rock seawall is founded on timber piles or cribbing, but the timbers were not clearly visible.”

            Childs reported having used the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment manual and processes to clearly substantiate its findings in the report.

            Reinforcing what most understand to be true, Childs documented the poor condition of the structure with minor to moderate defects throughout and more advanced deficiencies over a large portion of the stone seawall.

            “The structure as a whole remains stable … but lacked resiliency and is susceptible to overstressing or breakage during a storm event,” the report stated. The consultants also pointed out that due to the poor condition of the seawall, it should be immediately repaired to bring it to operational condition for the next five to ten years.

            Option 1 recommended “precast concrete with steel reinforcing modular block wall to encapsulate the existing wharf. The existing wharf behind the new concrete block wall will need to be excavated and backfilled to eliminate voids, and the utilities replaced.” The Option 1 price tag is $4,700,000.

            Discussions on this night centered around the importance of getting the wharf repaired using the concrete-block option. Another option that had come at nearly double the cost called for the use of granite blocks, requiring a far more specialized type of construction and one vastly more labor intensive, the MAB believes.

            Having been asked by the Select Board to weigh in with their recommendation, MAB members were united in the concrete-block solution despite Select Board member Tyler Macallister having voiced concerns at the last Select Board meeting that concrete might be less durable.

            Present at the meeting was Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, who said new cost estimates for concrete-block construction are likely to approach $10,000,000, given the escalated cost of building materials. But he assured the committee that grants will be sought once the design selection is finalized.

            In other business, MAB members finalized text changes to the rules and regulations that will be forwarded to the Select Board.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, September 29, at 7:00 pm.