Swampscott harbor advisory board seeking to expand responsibilities

SWAMPSCOTT – A change in the charge of the Harbor Advisory Committee may put more focus on Swampscott?s waterfront as a potential revenue-bringing hotspot.The committee will go before the Board of Selectmen tonight to change their responsibility from just the harbor at Fisherman?s Beach to the entire span of waterfront from the Lynn line to the Marblehead border. Selectman Glenn Kessler said expanding the role of the Harbor Advisory Committee as a resource could lead the town to look into better use of the waterfront.Town Administrator Thomas Younger said, “We will be taking a more serious look regarding beaches and waterfront as a very important natural resource for the town, something that literally most communities in the commonwealth don?t have and cannot be replicated.”Kessler said the committee could help Younger “to know there?s a committee out there to potentially see what opportunities could be expanded ? there?s only advantages, there?s really no downside to it.”Kessler said the committee could give advice if the town was considering adding amenities like docks, a gas pump, and a potable water station that could draw more boaters to Swampscott shorelines, therefore bringing them into the town?s restaurants and shops. The town could also bring in more tax revenue by increasing the amount of moorings along the waterfront.The committee could work to make the harbor more inviting by adding breakwaters that would decrease the amount of strong storm waves beating against boats. Without any protection, strong currents can bring in more sand that Kessler said can quickly build up in a shallow bay like Swampscott?s, which has led to problems with eelgrass overtaking the boating and bathing areas.The committee could also advise what could be done on a recreational level to look into possibilities like windsurfing rentals, said Kessler.?It?s really up to the town to make the decision on what they want the waterfront to ultimately become,” said Kessler. “We can keep it as small and low key as it is, but it?s up to the people of Swampscott what they want it to be.”Younger said the committee will be working with all town departments to determine the best use of the waterfront.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].