Good Morning Gloucester

Fiesta 2022 is in the books and it felt GREAT! Thanks to the organizing committee and the scores of volunteers who made it happen for the rest of us. It was memorable. Here are a few more shots from Championship Sunday events I hope you will enjoy.

Once again we decimated all other local coverage of the most important weekend of the year and it was all because of these dedicated individuals.

Great great great job. Proud of the hard work and dedication you guys put in

Congratulations To VFG On An Incredible Win Against All Odds Knocking Off The Reigning Champs!!!

Father Jim blessed the fishing fleet in front of the Fishermen’s Memorial Sunday afternoon under a beautiful sky. Bless our fishermen and their vessels.

What a race these young men ran today! The seas were a little rough and the wind wasn’t a friend today but Knot-e Boys, Renegade and Family Strokes put on a great show for all the fans on the beach! This post was rushed out to get it in quickly, more coverage tomorrow.

The winds and seas were kicking up which made rowing even tougher, but Kaos, Merger and ZFG gave spectators a great race to watch. Congratulations ZFG! Strong race, great finish.

This kid has got something special figured out in the Greasy Pole competition! Congratulations! Derek Hopkins takes it again on Championship Sunday, even though the flag has to be re-placed onto the pole several times due to the winds.

Coming up roses…

Just to clear up any confusion here is a clarification on the Magnolia Pier seasonal dinghy outhauls design as provided by Mayor Verga’s office.

Timeline of Magnolia Pier:

• June 2020
  • Magnolia Pier Rebuild was completed. The ramp/gangway was purchased as part of the project and the float was older and built by the Gloucester High School.
    • Gloucester Harbormaster and Magnolia Pier Advisory Committee requested a new float be built for fear of failure of the oversized old float – the request was denied.
• September 23rd, 2020
  • The new gangway and old float were ripped away from the pier due to a storm and weather event.
• January, 2021
  • Meeting with Mayor Theken, Ted, Mike Hale, and CAO to discuss the pier going forward. 
• May, 2021
  • Based on a virtual meeting attended by GZA on May 21, 2021, it is our understanding the City of Gloucester desires to make additional improvements at the recently reconstructed Magnolia Pier by installation of a gangway lifting mechanism (“Gallows Frame”).
• June 8, 2021
  • GZA GeoEnvironmental submitted a proposal for the Magnolia Pier Reconstruction Project to begin the development of design drawings, permitting amendments and/or new filings, bid phase and limited construction phase services for the proposed improvement project. In addition, GZA was asked to review the existing float size and provide recommendations for improvements and to investigate interim pier-mounted lifting davits that could be installed on the pier at the gangway connection to assist with gangway removal for the 2021 summer season, and beyond.
• June 28, 2021
  • GZA GeoEnvironmental provided a clarification letter that the load conditions associated with seasonal dingy outhauls being attached to the pier were not included in the design of the Magnolia Pier Reconstruction project. (Letter attached)
    • In response to this letter, the Gloucester Harbormaster was instructed to send an email/letter to all permit holders stating they would not be able to return the following year (2022).
      • Permit holders had been reportedly tying their outhauls to the ladders or handrails of the pier. Having small boats tied to a static line causes damage and strain on the pier. 
• September 2021 
  • The Waterways Board unanimously voted to put a moratorium on issuing any new mooring on Magnolia Pier.
• November 2021
  • The Gloucester Harbormaster was instructed to send an email letter to all permit holders stating they would not be able to return the following year (2022).
• January 2022
  • Mayor Verga’s administration takes office.
• February 2022
  • Mayor Verga directs the City’s CFO to look into potential funding sources to begin the work with GZA to address the gangway and float.
• April 2022
  • The City was able to locate funds to begin the GZA design and permitting process for the gangway and float.
• May 11, 2022
  • Gloucester Waterways Board meets to receive an update on the Magnolia Pier outhauls and to discuss possible actions. The Waterways Board voted to abolish the outhauls on the Magnolia Pier. 
    • Here is the official language from the meeting minutes on the vote:
      • “Donna Crocker made a motion to abolish the Magnolia Pier outhaul seconded by Chair Steven LeBlanc. The motion passed by roll call 6 in favor 2 opposed”
    • City Ordinance for the Waterways Board:
      • “Sec. 10-1. – Waterways board.
        • The purposes of the waterways board is to provide a broad-based citizen management organization that guides the use and development of the city’s waterways and public waterfront facilities. The waterways board shall be the city body which establishes policies and regulations for the city’s waterways. It is intended that the board adopt clear, concise and fair policies and regulations that promote improved access to the water for all citizens, including commercial fishermen, business owners and recreational boaters. In cooperation with the harbormaster and other city staff, the board is intended to ensure that our waterways are well planned and maintained, utilized to the maximum extent possible, safe, and reflect positively upon the city.”
      • https://library.municode.com/ma/gloucester/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH10WAAD_ARTIMA_S10-3AURE
• June 2022
  • GZA is currently working on the permitting process. Will likely secure the permits in the late fall with a goal of construction in the spring of 2023.

From our correspondent on the street, Chris McCarthy:

The beating sun made the whites super white and the children fade, but the procession came off without any obvious hitches! It was so wonderful to see so many people supporting this traditions. How many do you recognize?