The proposed project would cost Rockport $1,300,000, not the $700,000 claimed on the glossy postcards and brochure sent out by the tenants. Source: letter from the SelectBoard Chair
This would be more than $300 per Rockport household.
The proposed project would only repair about 10% of the seawall.
FEMA would pay the other 75% this time, but we have no guarantee FEMA would pay for future repairs.
We have no balance sheet for Long Beach.
Long Beach accounts for 8% of Rockport’s revenue, but an unknown percent of Rockport’s expenses. Source: Long Beach Options Committee meetings 2022
Long Beach accounts for about 4% of Rockport’s dwelling units, but is a high-maintenance area of town.
How bad is the seawall, really?
One section has wear and tear from the water side, but looks OK from the cottage side.
The Gloucester-side stairs have some damage from the water side, but look OK where people walk.
Would it be worth $5,200,000 of which Rockport would pay $1,300,000 to repair this now? Source: Finance Committee meeting on 2 April 2024
The seawall does not protect the cottages.
Due to waves overtopping the current wall, FEMA said the wall should be four feet higher, but Long Beach tenants did not want to obstruct their view. Source: Long Beach Infrastructure Committee meeting 2018
The seawall does nothing to protect the back rows of cottages because the storm surge reaches them from the marsh and Cape Hedge Beach. Source: Long Beach Options Committee meetings 2022
The seawall does not protect the marsh.
A natural dune would protect the march by moving as needed.
The seawall prevents the dune from moving.
The seawall harms the beach.
Downwash from waves scrubs the sand away. Source: Experts at Long Beach Options Committee 2022
The beach could repeatedly require tens of thousands of tons of sand to replenish.
Access to the cottages is deteriorating.
During increasingly frequent flooding, the road to many if not most of the cottages is impassable.
This endangers tenants and first responders in emergencies.
Coastal Zone Management predicts dire flooding in 2030 let along 2050. Source: CZM’s MA Coast Flood Risk Model
The Select Board recently renewed the leases for another 10 years with no exit strategy, so this will end in disaster unless…
Why don’t we have an exit strategy?
The Long Beach Options Committee reported to town meeting in 2022 with options that included an exit strategy.
The Select Board never met with the Long Beach Options Committee, and we don’t know whether they read the report.
The Select Board held executive sessions prior to renewing the leases effective 1 January 2024, but as of 4 April 2024 the minutes are not available.
Local expert Martin Ross explained the “disheartening” situation at Long Beach in his classic 2015 book Cape Ann, Its Physical and Environmental Geology.
