Jetty Discussions

There has been some discussion about the Old Mill Point jetty, which is slated for some maintenance work in the coming fall.

When the jetty, or "groin", was rebuilt in the 1990s, there was much controversy over the cost of the repairs and whether it would actually stave off erosion or create more erosion.

The majority of residents voted to move forward with repairs, and as a result, Old Mill Point Associates was granted a perpetual maintenance permit, making the Association solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the jetty, in perpetuity.

The original jetty was first proposed and permitted in documents dating from October 1922. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, under the direction of the War Department, determined that the construction of a stone jetty in this location would help to slow and/or prevent coastal erosion.

In the "History and Purposes of Old Mill Point" written in 1963 and distributed in the annual directories, the author claims that William Henry Doble first sought to build the jetty at his own expense. This history has been transcribed on this blog and can be accessed by clicking the link to the right. Some of the "facts" are in dispute, and I'm looking into the discrepencies.

A Department of Public Works document from 1922 describes...

"Further consideration was given during the year to the petiton of J. Arthur Jacobs and others, heard during 1921, for protective work east of Herring River entrance at West Harwich. Inspections and examinations showed a rapid cutting back of the bank at this locality, constituting an increasing menace to property.

"On Nov 8 1922, a contract was made with George T. Randle for furnishing and placing about 3,500 tons of stone riprap and chips in a stone jetty east of the river entrance at West Harwich. The contract price for this work is: for furnishing and placing stone riprap in the jetty and as bank protection, $5.19 per ton. Toward the cost of this work individuals interested made a contribution of $3,000. This work is now in progress."

Regardless of who originally built the jetty, and who originally paid for the work... after the more recent upgrades the jetty is the responsiblity of Old Mill Point Associates.