A $24,000 accounting discovery provided a critical boost to Cohasset harbor finances this week as the Harbor Committee prepared a major environmental grant application. Harbor Master Lorren Gibbons revealed that the town’s new accountant located the misposted funds, which will be transferred back into the Waterways Fund. The discovery comes at a vital time, as Gibbons noted the harbor’s present balance and the accountant’s figures were roughly $6,000 apart. The new town accountant just found $24,000 of waterways funds that were posted incorrectly, Gibbons said, though she warned that the harbor is still facing rising costs for maintenance materials. A quote was only good for that day, she added, citing price volatility for aluminum and stainless steel repairs at Fisherman’s Dock.

Committee members expressed concern over the sustainability of harbor maintenance. Member Michael Sardina questioned the scope of the Waterways Fund, prompting Gibbons to explain that it covers nearly all physical infrastructure, including docks and seawalls, but is not used for personnel. Member Lisa Hewitt Dick inquired about bridge funding until April excise tax revenues arrive, particularly following a partial seawall collapse near Greeny’s. Hewitt Dick suggested that while the current financial situation is difficult, the committee must look for ways to help until we get this money figured out. The department is also navigating billing errors where some residents received demand notices for excise taxes without ever receiving an original bill.

The committee is also racing toward a March 20 deadline for a $340,000 grant through the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) programs. Town Planner Cassandra Thayer reported that the application focuses on flood modeling for the James Brook Meadow and surrounding watershed. Chair George Baumgarten explained that the project will build on previous compound flood modeling to define the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and village businesses. The scope includes studying groundwater levels and evaluating potential tide gates or pumping systems to mitigate future flooding in the village.

Community outreach emerged as a key point of discussion for the grant application. Member Susan Bryant advocated for a program that engages local students to help spread environmental awareness to parents. We could visualize something super local that involves students. That message goes to the parents, Bryant noted. Guest speaker Jack Buckley, who has previously collaborated on stormwater studies, cautioned that adding a complex outreach campaign to the grant at the last minute would be difficult. The question is whether there's interest in putting a campaign deliverable into the grant, Buckley said, noting that specific costs would need to be finalized immediately to meet the town's planning deadlines.

The committee also formalized its position on the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with Scituate, a document intended to resolve years of jurisdictional friction. Baumgarten noted that the agreement returns management of safety, moorings, and excise tax collection to Cohasset and establishes a cap on Scituate’s oyster farm expansion at six acres. Member Grace Evans spoke in favor of the deal’s impact on local boaters, stating, It definitely eliminated the duplicate payments to Scituate. Bryant added that maintaining regional municipal relations is vital, fearing that if we broke down all our relationships, it wouldn't go well for us. Motion Made by G. Baumgarten to approve the Harbor Committee's perspective on the Scituate-Cohasset Intermunicipal Agreement as amended. Motion Passed (6-0-1), with Jake Wheelwrigh abstaining as he participated remotely and had limited time to review final wording changes.

Looking ahead, the committee reviewed its 2026 priorities, including climate resilience and the installation of a commercial fishing conveyor belt. Member Derrick Goodwin joined the consensus as the group weighed the long-term necessity of dredging against current funding constraints. The meeting concluded with a celebratory note as Baumgarten announced that April will mark Lorren Gibbons’ 20th anniversary as Harbor Master, joking that the town would soon find out if everyone loves cake.