The Steamship Authority, facing scrutiny from Falmouth officials after removing a curb cut from town property without a permit as part of the Woods Hole terminal rebuild, has escaped the threat of legal action, having settled on mitigation measures going forward.
After meeting with the SSA years after trying to get their attention, the town is expected to install concrete barriers at a drop-off area at the terminal, in an effort to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe.
The Falmouth Enterprise first reported in late January that the town was considering legal action against the ferry line for removing a traffic island and curbing from town property at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Luscombe Avenue, in front of the Leeside Pub, without the town’s permission. The intersection serves as an entrance to a parking lot in Woods Hole, and is a busy area for ferry drop-offs and pedestrians.
Falmouth Public Works Director Peter McConarty was quoted by the Enterprise as saying the work created a dangerous traffic “free-for-all,” and that multiple attempts to reach Steamship officials had been ignored. This prompted Falmouth officials to consider taking legal action if the ferry line did not meet with the town. There were also calls to more clearly delineate where the property line between the town and the ferry line was.
A report from Greenman-Pedersen, a Boston-based engineering firm, submitted to the town early last month states that the traffic fixtures were removed between March 27, 2019, and April 14, 2020. The consultants also underscored the safety risks from their removal.
Falmouth Town Manager Mike Renshaw wrote in a Jan. 29 letter to the ferry line that the current layout without “traffic-calming measures” like curbing was “simply unacceptable.”
“After years of asking with no response, the select board has voted to re-establish the property lines at this location, in order to protect the health and safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists traveling on these town streets,” Renshaw wrote.
Steamship Authority Communications Director Sean Driscoll said on Monday the work done was a part of the ferry line’s ongoing $32 million Woods Hole terminal reconstruction project.
“I will note the rebuilding of the curb cut and that intersection on our property is part of a future phase of the project, so has not been put out to bid yet, but that is certainly not the final form of the exit,” he said.
Ferry officials have since met with the town after the Jan. 27 Falmouth select board meeting to address the issues, although some details still need to be hashed out.
“I can report that the town had a very productive meeting with the Steamship Authority on Feb. 6,” Renshaw said in an email to The Times, “during which the parties agreed that the town would coordinate the placement of concrete barriers to delineate the shape and approximate location of the traffic island that was removed without the town’s permission, until such time that the design and construction of a permanent traffic island can be constructed.”
Steamship officials, in a statement, say they are working to resolve the issue with the town. “We’re continuing to work with the town of Falmouth to review safety and traffic issues concerning our Woods Hole Terminal, as we have during the duration of this long project, and we look forward to having ongoing, productive conversations with town officials,” Steamship Authority General Manager Robert Davis said in a statement.
During the Tuesday, Feb. 11, Port Council meeting, Davis said the reason the Steamship Authority did not apply for a permit was because they hadn’t determined a contractor yet, a requirement. He also said signage will be placed to keep motorists from speeding off.
The entire project is a huge waste of money.
A Smoke and Mirrors operation! It Is Time that we move on from the Old Boy SSA network. Please! understand that, “The (1960 SSA) Enabling Act creates an unregulated monopoly.” They own 19,000,000 worth of Falmouth real estate and pay no taxes! Loud early morning trucks. Pollution from diesel boats & diesel trucks. Daily traffic jams. Towns people having to fight. Huge unneeded buildings! Even more, the town of Falmouth, and the village of Woods Hole getting no respect. And you know that there is so much more… On! And On! And On it goes! When is this Steamship Nightmare going end?
Agreed! State doesn’t care bout anything/anybody, except the MONEY! Sad but true…
I fund it interesting that wasted spending here locally is criticized but when our President does it none of it is considered wasted and outrage emerges.
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