At the request of local fishermen, a new dock will be added to the Pine Point pier to help the Scarborough’s working waterfront.
The Town Council voted unanimously to approve up to $50,000 in funding for a new dock and support pile in the Scarborough River, as well as new ramp floats at the public boat ramp.
The new dock will expand commercial skiff tie-up space and access to the pier for both commercial and recreational uses. Daryen Grenata, the local marine resource officer, said that he heard from many local fishermen that this is a needed addition.
“Local fishermen need more space,” Grenata said. “The harbor has grown, and a lot of fishermen work here.”
Most of the approved town funding — $37,000 — will go toward the new dock installation, which will likely be installed this winter.
The town received 15 new wooden boarding floats to replace the old ones and to be installed by next spring through a Bureau of Parks and Lands grant. The council voted to match $9,000 to support other building, transportation and installation costs.
Town Manager Tom Hall said that while both projects are slated for Pine Point, there is some flexibility, and the town could decide to replace the boat ramps at Ferry Beach or Clay Pits, depending on need.
The town funding for this project comes from the Working Water Front Reserve Fund or monies specifically designated for maintaining and supporting the working waterfront. Prior to funding this project, the account now had more than $237,000.
