Lobstermen net Belden Bly deal

A joint meeting between the Massachusetts SAUGUS-Highway Department, Coast Guard and local lobstermen left local fishermen feeling optimistic about the Belden Bly Bridge repair project.Repairs are set to begin on the bridge Monday Dec. 15. A floating dock has been established on the outside of the bridge to accommodate commercial fisherman who moor their boats in the Saugus River.Interim Harbormaster Thomas Falasca said he was pleased with Thursday’s meeting that also included Town Manager Andrew Bisignani, and interim Assistant Harbormaster William Robinson.”Everything went well,” Bisignani agreed. “There was a list of concerns from the fishermen. They came to an understanding and found solutions and the Coast Guard is going to sign off on it and Mass Highway will do the same and we’ll move forward and start the repairs on the 15th.”Falasca couldn’t help but note that the state could have settled the issues two weeks ago when he first delivered the list of concerns, but said he wasn’t taken seriously because his position on is on interim basis.His only remaining concern is that the state holds to its deadline.The bridge repairs are scheduled to be completed by May 15, which is a busy time for both commercial and recreational boaters. Any delay in the repairs could hamper the livelihood of the small, but strong fleet of commercial fishermen and lobstermen. Delays would not only frustrate recreational boaters but also the Stoneham Boat Center, which is located next to the bridge. Much of its business relies on access to the waterway and the ocean.”There were compromises on everyone’s part,” Robinson said. “I think it was resolved for the betterment of everyone. I left feeling good about the meeting.”The only other possible glitch could be with a project the town is planning for its dock. Plans to redesign Lobsterman’s Landing will go out to bid at the end of the month. The work, which will be funded through a state grant, is slated to begin in February. If it is not finished by May 15 – the same time the state is scheduled to wrap its project – boaters could be left without a deck to dock at.Once the bridge work is completed and the waterway is reopened, the state will pull the temporary floating dock allowing the lobstermen to return to Lobsterman’s Landing. But if the town project isn’t finished, could spell frustration for local boaters, commercial and recreational.Falasca said he hopes the two projects will work together.Bisignani said he was trying his best to coordinate the town’s project with the state’s and he expected them to wrap up in tandem.