SSA signs off on $6.9 million in capital projects

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Steamship Authority (SSA) members approved a list of capital projects, reviewed reservation timelines, and signed a new food concession contract at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 20, in Woods Hole, according to a management report.

The 2013 capital budget approved Tuesday includes 13 new projects, increases in two projects already approved, and $500,000 of miscellaneous projects costing less than $50,000 each, with an aggregated estimated cost of $6,871,000.

Capital projects include Palmer Avenue parking lot improvements, sewage pump-out upgrades for five vessels, and two new shuttle buses for the Woods Hole terminal.

The members reviewed the timeline for customers to make vehicle reservations for 2013. Headstart reservations will be accepted by mail and Internet only from January 8 to January 13. Reservations for the general public will be accepted beginning January 15. Telephone reservations can be made beginning January 22. Reservations for the Summer Schedule begin on May 16.

The members also awarded a food concession contract that will run the next five years to Centerplate (formerly known as Boston Culinary Group) of Stamford, Conn., the SSA’s food concessionaire since 1993.

Centerplate will continue to pay the SSA concession fees equal to a percentage of its sales (16 percent on food, 22.5 percent on alcoholic beverages, 20 percent on vending and 19.2 percente on merchandising). “All of the board members were very impressed with BCG’s proposal and presentation, and thanked the firm for all of the great service they have provided the SSA’s customers over the years,” management wrote in the meeting synopsis.