VAI has been involved in assisting the Town’s in managing their inspection and inventory system for all public coastal infrastructure located along the Marshfield shoreline for the past six years. A baseline inventory and assessment of structures was established in 2000 which included the identification and visual assessment of the condition of existing structures including seawalls, revetments, jetties, groins, piers, bulkheads, beach stairways, and boat ramps. This inventory documented the general condition assessments of structures based upon the degree of deterioration/damage observed upon visual inspection and considering the importance of the structure to provide protection. A “Priority Rating Index” consisting of the numerical ranking from 9 (new condition) to 1 (emergency condition) was established and assigned to each structure so that repairs could be scheduled with respect need and urgency.
Baseline conditions and the priority ratings of structures were recently updated by VAI in 2005. As part of this effort, the original numerical priority rating index has been converted to a simplified A (excellent) through F (critical) rating system, similar to what is presently being used by the state. Recommendations have been provided to the Town for establishing a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan so that a long-term budget and schedule for repair and maintenance of coastal structures can be implemented. This plan will also been valuable in securing Federal and State funding assistance for the Town
