Waterways panel OKs two permits, backs bridge update

Waterways Committee · Meeting of October 27, 2026

BARNSTABLE — The Barnstable Waterways Committee approved two dredging and construction permits and heard that the Oyster Harbor Bridge will close entirely from December 15 through April 30 for structural repairs. Harbormaster Brian Taylor said the committee voted 4-0 to back a Craigville Beach Road bulkhead replacement and a new Blish Point Boat Ramp maintenance dredging permit. Cora Corporation Vice President Chris Glass said testing could reopen the bridge as early as mid-March despite the April 30 contract deadline.

A separate West Bay dredging contract remains stalled after a low bidder withdrew over an error, and Taylor confirmed "there will be no dredging of West Bay this winter." Resident Robert Wenger, a mooring holder since the 1970s, urged the committee to tighten mooring renewal rules, prompting Taylor to disclose 1,163 waitlist applicants last year against roughly 400 moorings offered.

In the full story:

• Roll Call and Opening
• Notice of Intent: 132 Bay Shore Road LLC Bulkhead Replacement
• Notice of Intent: Blish Point Boat Ramp Maintenance Dredging
• Old Business: 2027 Harbormaster Division Fee Schedule
• New Business: West Bay Dredging Permit and Timeline
• New Business: Oyster Harbor Bridge Rehabilitation
• Correspondence: Robert Wenger Letter on Mooring Policy
• Harbormaster's Report
• Public Comment
• Adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,110 words

Source: the Waterways Committee meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.