The Cohasset Harbor Committee is exploring Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for two significant harbor infrastructure projects after initial estimates revealed steep costs. During their September 4 meeting, the committee discussed a proposed 100-foot dinghy pier extension at Parker Avenue, a project stalled by a potential $200,000 price tag for engineering and permitting alone. Harbor Master Lori Gibbons expressed her surprise at the figure, stating, “I was shocked by the cost.” Committee members discussed pursuing CPA funds at the 2026 annual town meeting to move the project forward, which aims to address a long-standing need for more public dock space. A new Harbormaster hut, complete with a public bathroom and shower for transient boaters, is also being considered for CPA funding after plans to include it in the new Public Safety Building appeared to fall through.

The meeting also saw the committee hold its annual elections, re-electing George Baumgarten as Chair and Lisa Hewitt Dick as Vice Chair by unanimous voice votes. The election for Secretary was deferred to the next meeting after several members declined nomination, including Michael Sardina, who candidly remarked, "I'm already secretary of the HOA where I live and… it's a pain in the ass." A motion was made to have Susan Bryant take notes for the current meeting and to defer the election for secretary to the next meeting. The motion passed 6-0. The committee also discussed the challenge of filling its two vacant fisherman representative slots. Lisa Hewitt Dick noted, “It would be nice to finally fill those two fisherman slots and you know, increase our body.” Chair George Baumgarten committed to inviting local non-resident fishermen Mike Lane and Adam to future meetings to ensure their input is heard.

Assistant Town Planner Julia Gillis provided an update on two separate Coastal Zone Management (CZM) grant applications submitted by the town. “Our CZM grant that we submitted is still under review and in the evaluation stage,” Gillis reported, adding that a complementary grant from the DPW for wastewater treatment plant resiliency is also awaiting a decision. The committee also advanced plans for new harbor access content on the town website, an initiative led by member Jeff Donze. While an interactive "story map" remains the goal, Donze suggested a temporary solution: "One interim thought I had is I could just create a static image of the map like a PDF so we could still have a map there." The committee welcomed new Cohasset Yacht Club representative Grace Evans, who quickly contributed to the discussion by asking if the new webpage would include a link to water quality data, inquiring, "Would we consider putting in like water quality information?"

In other business, CSCR Representative Susan Bryant shared an update on a summer eelgrass restoration project, a critical effort for harbor health. "The eelgrass did flower and we were able to collect seeds and we have eelgrass in a tank right now," she announced, detailing creative plans for planting the seeds. Baumgarten also updated the committee on several waterfront developments, including the 82 Border Street hotel project, which is currently in the state permitting phase, and the slow but steady progress at the Atlantica and Salt House properties. He stressed the urgency of adapting to environmental challenges, regardless of funding outcomes, stating, "The climate's not waiting for grants."