The Scituate Waterways Commission began their February meeting on a somber note, observing a moment of silence for the crew of the Lily Gene, a fishing vessel lost at sea on January 1, 2026. Chairman Dave Denine opened the session with a reading from the fisherman’s memorial in Gloucester, stating, I'd like to take a moment of silence to think about the crew of the Lily Gene that were lost at sea... they that go down to the sea and ships that do business in great waters. The meeting quickly transitioned to a critical discussion regarding the future of the Scituate waterfront, specifically a proposed bylaw amendment intended to clarify the definitions of commercial and charter fishing activity to ensure fair mooring access.

State Representative Patrick Kearney joined the board to discuss a citizen petition he authored, which has now been merged with a town-sponsored bylaw proposal. Kearney noted, Stemming from a place of trying to look out for that part of the working waterfront, this article was drafted, adding that he was grateful for including the language or some of the language from our citizens petition in their draft to address affordability for charter captains. Select Board Liaison Susan Harrison explained the intent behind the new definitions, noting, The select board came away with... there’s some things that we should possibly change as far as businesses in the harbor, emphasizing the need to create distinct buckets for different maritime industries.

A central point of contention emerged regarding a proposed requirement that commercial and charter operators derive at least 51 percent of their gross income from their respective maritime activities. Brian Kelly expressed skepticism about the logistics of enforcement, questioning, How are you going to find out that they're 51 percent? It just seems like it's a number that in your heart makes sense, but it's not something that you can actually manage. Dave Sincy was more direct in his opposition, stating, I'm 100 percent against the 51 percent designation. Effort doesn't always result in money, especially commercial fishing. However, Rick Murray argued the specificity was a necessary hurdle for transparency, stating, I think this is a big step forward to have them classified as a fundamental base that we can then move into the discussion of rules and regs.

The commission also worked to broaden the scope of these definitions, opting to rename the Charter Fisherman category to Four-Hire Captain to include burials at sea, whale watches, and lighthouse tours. Brian Cronin asked, Is this charter fisherman designation broad enough for people who do burials at sea, who do lighthouse tours? while guest speaker Franny warned that seasonal businesses might struggle with the income threshold, noting that Old Port Marine... are not going to drive 51 percent of their income from Scituate. Dave Haley emphasized the importance of active participation over mere licensing, asserting, Landing efforts should be part of the process of having the mooring and keeping the mooring. Local fisherman Kevin added that a strict income bar could stifle new entries into the industry, saying, It is tricky when you first get started to be able to shut that threshold of income.

Beyond the bylaw debate, the commission received updates on local infrastructure and dredging. Mike Deo highlighted the economic importance of accurate fishing data, noting, You want to dredge the harbor, you better show the numbers of what the fishermen are bringing in because that boosts the economics for the town of Scituate to get dredging. Safety at the town pier was also a priority following recent maritime tragedies, with members calling for improved lighting and emergency equipment. Commissioner TJ, providing a Coast Guard perspective on recent losses, stated, I don't think it'll be Coast Guard function and I don't know of any plans to try to recover that boat in 350 feet of water, though local safety audits are underway. Howie concluded the procedural discussions, noting, I think that last comment is pretty interesting having to do with the public hearing, not just the public meeting. Motion Made by Howie to adjourn. Seconded by Brian Kelly. Vote Passed 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 PM.